The Vancouver Province today (sub required) delved into the mysterious disappearances of two passengers on cruise ships that regularly ply the coastal waters between Alaska and Vancouver and make regular calls in Prince Rupert.
The Peter Clough article is found on pages B3-B5 titled, "Where is Merrian Carver?", tackles the very strange circumstances of her disappearance back in 2004 while traveling aboard the Mercury, vsomewhere between Seattle and Ketchikan, Alaska. The Province article follows in the path of a number of American items on the case of Ms. Carver, which paint an unusual way of handling these cases by the big cruise lines of the Northwest. This article from ABC News, explains the strange choices made by cruise line officials regarding her disappearance, including the disappearance of her jewelry and clothing.
The Province also recounts the unusual story of a Canadian man from Ontario, who like Carver disappeared from sight while on an Alaskan Cruise. Randal Gary, took a an Alaskan cruise in May of 2003 and like Carver disappeared without a trace the night before arrival in Vancouver. Another case that has never been solved or explained to any great satisfaction.
In fact, there has been a string of disappearances off of cruise ships world wide in the last two years, an interesting specter of the industry that we don't see on all those flashy television commercials. Many are suspected suicides, though one wonders why anyone would spend a vast amount of money to meet their self chosen demise. Other observers suggest that single people make a vulnerable target for those with ill intent, considering the anonymous lifestyle for many on these cruises, there could be a higher degree of danger than thought. Regardless, without proper investigation and information, the mysteries will continue to haunt the giant hotels that pass through our town every spring and summer. All these strange events have led to a webpage (which kind of reads like an episode of America's most wanted) that lists countless incidents on the big boats, many of which seem to go uninvestigated or addressed.
We many have to look at our visitors with a new view now, tourists, victims and/or suspects all wandering ashore from May to September!
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