Are your cruise ship travels killing the oceans?

You might not be aware that billions of gallons of cruise ship waste adversely affect coastal waters. To prevent the same, the Alaskan state program plans to put in place inspection rangers on cruise vessels to check the ships’ waste disposal methods and prevent pollution.

The number of travelers on board cruise ships has increased and so have the number of ships. In Alaska the number of passengers has grown to more than 12 million in 2006 from about 500,000 in 1970, according to the cruise lines group. From 2000 to the end of this year, 88 new ships will have been introduced. The vessels have grown larger as well.


A California state senator, Joe Simitian, said:

Imagine how you would feel about 1,000 families tossing garbage onto your front lawn for a week.

How do cruise ships affect the oceans?

� On average, a cruise ship generates 140,000 to 210,000 gallons of sewage and a million gallons of wastewater from sinks, showers and laundries each week. The United States Commission on Ocean Policy reported in 2004.

� Sewage carries germs that can contaminate shellfish beds and harm other life, while phosphates, nitrates and other wastewater compounds can trigger huge growths of algae that cloud the water, reduce oxygen, smother corals and kill fish. � Cruise ships’ fuel often contains sulfur dioxide, and ships sometimes incinerate garbage, releasing dioxins and fine particles that can trigger respiratory ailments.


The Alaskan ocean ranger program, applies to ships with more than 250 passengers. The initiative requires that the rangers be marine engineers licensed by the Coast Guard who are also trained in wastewater treatment systems and environmental and public health rules. The program will cost each passenger $4, funds that will also pay satellite transponders to track the ships’ movements in and out of state waters.

Cruise lines are also experimenting with technology to reduce the amount of noxious chemicals and ash that smokestacks release. Ships could also plug into shore power stations to reduce air emissions while in port, which is already happening in Alaska, Washington and California. The point is that more awareness and newer technology needs to be put into place to protect the oceans, already effected by global warming.

Source: The New York Times