A state Assembly committee Tuesday killed a bill strongly opposed by cruise companies that would have placed peace officers for the first time on passenger ships sailing from California ports, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The committee voted 2-2 with three abstentions, effectively ending efforts by state Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to increase regulation of the $35.7-billion industry.

The heavily lobbied bill already had been approved by the state Senate but failed to move past the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee on concerns that it would create a jurisdictional and legal mess.

It would have been the most stringent regulation in an industry that victim-rights advocates contend is governed by a vague web of federal and international rules that allows crime and crime reporting to fall through the cracks.

The bill would have authorized “ocean rangers” — combined certified peace officers and licensed marine engineers — who would monitor public safety and ensure that ships complied with environmental laws that prohibit dumping.

“I think the committee action today sends an unfortunate message,” Simitian said. “Buyer beware when you climb on a cruise ship. You’re on your own.”

Cruise industry officials and travel agents, though, said legislation wasn’t needed because crime wasn’t a major problem.

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