THE parents of missing Chester woman Rebecca Coriam met a Government minister this week to push for tougher cruise ship laws.

Six months after their 24-year-old daughter disappeared from a Disney liner, Ann and Mike Coriam are calling for better protection for passengers and crew.

And on Monday they took their fight to shipping minister Mike Penning at the Department For Transport in London.

Ann and Mike, from Guilden Sutton, said Mr Penning had agreed to contact the International Maritime Organisation on their behalf.

Speaking after the meeting, Mike told the Chronicle: “It’s still very, very emotional for us. I wouldn’t say it gets easier.

“You never think you’re going to be in this position, but when it happens you have got to carry on. That helps stop you going into a big hole and not climbing out.

“We are probably just channelling our energies into making a change now. It would be a lot of comfort if these changes came into effect.”

The Coriams want the law changed to allow UK authorities to investigate cases of British nationals lost at sea.

Cases are currently taken up by authorities in the ship’s country of registration – meaning Rebecca’s is dealt with by a single officer in the Bahamas.

“We actually get very little back,” said Mike.

He said new laws would also increase security on liners, where crime is a problem.

“What we’re calling for is an independent police force on these ships – we’re talking small, floating cities.

“We are not anti-cruise. We just want more transparency.”

Ann and Mike were accompanied to Westminster by Chester MP Stephen Mosley and Anne Coughlan, from charity Victim Support.

They are also backed by support organisation International Cruise Victims, which has set up an online petition for the campaign.

Rebecca’s sister Rachael and uncle John Jennings also took to the streets on Monday to gather signatures outside Chester Town Hall.

John said: “It's not going to help Rebecca at all. But what it is going to do is help other people's kids.”

To support the campaign, sign their petition at epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/1061 or donate at www.rebecca-coriam.com.