BRIEF: How often do ship passengers disappear?

Dec. 29--Although passenger disappearances are relatively rare, considering that millions of people take cruises every year, Jennifer Ellis-Seitz's case marks the fifth time a passenger or crew member has disappeared off the Florida coast or in the Caribbean basin this year. Major cruise lines have a voluntary agreement with U.S. authorities to alert them to serious incidents involving U.S. citizens. Some legislators have been trying for years to turn that agreement into law but failed again this year. Authorities and cruise line officials say most of the victims either jump overboard to commit suicide, or fall while intoxicated. "Some of the disappearances are …