MIAMI — Critics of the cruise industry's track record on handling crimes on the high seas plan to push for stronger oversight of the industry at a congressional hearing today.

A House resolution by Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., asserts, among other things, "perpetrators of sexual violence and other violent crimes on cruise ships are rarely brought to justice in light of jurisdictional uncertainties" and a lack of police officials onboard cruise ships.

The hearing follows up a March session at which the Cruise Lines International Association, a lobbying arm that represents about 23 cruise lines with about 175 ships, announced standardized procedures for reporting serious crimes aboard vessels to the FBI and Coast Guard — even in instances where it isn't mandatory.

The plan called for CLIA lines to call the nearest FBI office as soon as possible to report crimes such as homicides, suspicious deaths, passengers overboard, kidnappings, sexual assaults and thefts exceeding $10,000.

The cruise industry has reported roughly 200 crimes between April and August, according to Rep. Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat who is the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

"The cruise industry is worried about its image and the victims' groups are worried about making sure these ships are safe and people are taken care of when something happens," Cummings said, noting one goal of the follow-up hearing is to ensure the industry and victims work constructively together.

In a statement, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based CLIA said, "The cruise industry feels positive about our interactions with these families. The industry is fully committed to the safety of our cruise guests and improving each day with the goal of zero incidents."

Critics complain the cruise lines' voluntary reporting agreement was designed to dodge calls for mandatory regulation of the industry, whose oceangoing itineraries often result in jurisdictional complexities.

Kendall Carver, president of International Cruise Victims, comprised of victims of crimes on cruise ships and their families, said his group was excluded from discussions leading to the voluntary reporting agreement.

Since the March hearing, Carver, whose daughter vanished on a cruise, has continued to push ideas to increase security and passenger safety, ranging from background checks on crew members to security bracelets for passengers to stocking rape kits onboard ships.

Carver said he met with cruise officials this summer "and they say they agree with many of my points, but they don't agree on how to get there."