A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operation on the Great Lakes has removed crew members from at least five cruise ships sailing overnight itineraries, according to cruise lines, crew and passengers on the vessels.
Victory Cruise Lines earlier this week confirmed that crew were removed from its two ships, the Victory I and Victory II, by the CBP during routine operations in the Port of Detroit. A crew member on the Viking Octantis said that nine crew had been taken from that ship and 15 from Viking's other expedition ship, the Polaris. A source close to Pearl Seas Cruises said crew were removed from its ship on the Great Lakes, the Pearl Mist.
Viking and Pearl Seas Cruises did not respond to requests for comment.
The CBP said it was involved in an ongoing operation on the Great Lakes and that due to its nature, was unable to provide further details. But sources familiar with the Victory ships said that on July 9 and 11, the CBP removed 13 crew members who had previously been cleared for entry into the U.S. and to work onboard the ships.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which counts Pearl Seas as a member, said in response to the removals, "Cruise lines cooperate fully with authorities. Crew may be asked to disembark at their request, and we do not speculate on the reason."
John Waggoner, Victory's founder and chairman, said the line was cooperating with authorities and seeking to clarify the reason for the removals.