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-   -   Big cruise ships pollute big time and can sail away from regulation (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cruises/1117024-big-cruise-ships-pollute-big-time-can-sail-away-regulation.html)

tcook052 Aug 16, 2010 6:56 pm

Big cruise ships pollute big time and can sail away from regulation
 
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/42514...ml?source=mypi

Cruising pumps dollars into Seattle and Washington state, $1.7 million into the local economy every time a ship docks in Seattle and about $16 million in state and local tax coffers annually.

But those benefits come at a price.

Money from the cruise industry -- which generates billions in profits every year -- trades on environmental health. The very attractions that draw tourists to Alaska-bound ships, such as pristine sanctuary waters, marine wildlife and mountainous seascapes, can be harmed by pollution from cruise ships.

The ships ply the waters of two states and two countries, moving among jurisdictions where rules are lax, voluntary or tough. It has proven easy enough for most ships to dump waste in Canada where rules aren't as strict.

In a single day, the federal Environmental Protection Agency estimates passengers aboard a typical cruise ship will generate:

21,000 gallons of sewage
1 ton of garbage
170,000 gallons of wastewater from sinks, showers and laundry
More than 25 pounds of batteries, fluorescent lights, medical wastes and expired chemicals (based on average fleet data from 1999 and 2000)
Up to 6,400 gallons of oily bilge water from engines
Four plastic bottles per passenger -- about 8,500 bottles per day for the Carnival Spirit

Cruise ships incinerate 75 to 85 percent of their garbage, the EPA found in a 2008 study.

G702TT Sep 2, 2010 7:23 pm

Celebrity, takes environmental issues seriously. They have addressed key issues including air emmissions, water and energy use, high tech waste treatment and recycling through their "Save the Waves Program" that started almost twenty years ago. Part of their Save the Waves Program is to go above and beyond compliance (ABC) meaning to do more than is required by regulation.

I'm sure other cruise lines have similar programs. Its really in their best interest to conserve and not sail through a polluted ocean.

Isn't air quality, waste treatment, water use and recycling just as important on land? I think the cruise lines take the issue more seriously then the communities where all their passengers live.

http://www.celebritycruises.com/abou...EnhancedFooter

mjgodden Sep 3, 2010 1:52 am

I agree with G702TT. Sustainability is key and in the interest of the cruise line.

Norwegian Cruise Line also have an Environmental Management program in place for some time, and have an "Ecoballast" system in place which has been approved by the State of Washington for use in Puget Sound.

http://www2.ncl.com/about/environmental-commitment

As newer ships come into service, newer technology will no doubt further reduce their impact.

Mark

tcook052 Sep 3, 2010 9:17 am

As a cruiser myself I didn't post this article here to stir up controversy but foster a healthy debate about the impacts of cruising which I find is often either completely overlooked or minimized by passengers. I believe the truth is that there is a certain impact that can't be denied and that to some degree the eco program almost every major cruise line has adopted is meant to counter that reality. Sure these programs are way better than nothing at all and are consistent with the benefits of being a good corporate citizen however they can't entirely address all of the facts as presented I think quite fairly in the linked article.

There are no simple solutions to complex problems but I believe educating oneself about the problem is a good place to start.


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