So, you want to go on a cruise. What could go wrong? After listening or watching today’s episode, you might think twice, for good reasons.

When Jamie Barnett said goodbye to her daughter, Ashley, in 2005, who was going on a three-day cruise with her boyfriend and two other couples to Mexico, she never dreamt that it would be the last time she would see her daughter alive. What was supposed to be a birthday celebration resulted in the death of Ashley due to illegal activities on board the ship, gross negligence from the staff of the ship, and subpar medical attention aboard the cruise ship.

My guest on the show today, Jamie Barnett, has turned grief and frustration from dealing with the cruise industry, government officials, and the FBI, into advocacy and hope.

Jamie Barnett is the president of the International Cruise Victims (ICV) organization and became an advocate for cruise ship safety after her 24-year-old daughter, Ashley Barnett, died on a cruise in 2005 due to gross negligence by the cruise line. Her advocacy work was instrumental in the passage of the Cruise Vessel Safety and Security Act of 2010, and she continues to fight for stricter regulations of cruise vessels to ensure the safety of their passengers.

Jamie appeared in the Netflix docuseries "Amy Bradley is Missing," further highlighting the dangers on cruise ships by drawing parallels between her daughter's death and the disappearance of Amy Bradley in 1998

As a dad and grandpa, this episode hit home. I can’t imagine what Jamie went through and continues to go through! Bravo to Jamie and others who are attempting to keep cruise lines accountable and safer.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

·      Thank you, Vic Ferrari over at the NYPD Through The Looking Glass Podcast, for the intro.

·      The organization, International Cruise Victims, and her role, and how she became involved.  

·      How the United States Congress has become involved in attempting to make the cruise line industry safer for its guests.

·      In 2005, her daughter, Ashley, was murdered aboard a Carnival cruise to Mexico.

·      Her daughter’s body was taken to Mexico for a subpar autopsy against her wishes.

·      The FBI not charging her boyfriend with any crime after he smuggled illegal narcotics aboard that Ashley ingested and caused her death.

·      Sub-par medical attention and gross negligence aboard the ship that contributed to Ashley’s death.

·      Jamie’s connection to the recent Netflix special, Amy Bradley is Missing.

·      Jamie’s frustration with the severe lack of cooperation, sympathy, and compassion from the FBI.

·      The cruise lines that have the worst crime rates.

·      What you can do to stay safe aboard a cruise ship.

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Please visit the International Cruise Victims Association to learn more about this important topic and donate.

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