Cruise Ships and the Ocean Coexisting?

This week I found information on a couple that not to long ago was on a trip in Puerto Vallarta. They decided to go explore some underwater caves, unfortunately their snorkelling trip was cut short due to a passing by cruise ship. The couple reported that as the ship passed by their was a bubbling green algae substance coming out the back. Their was a smell that was so bad due to the ship dumbing its its tanks they had to get out of the water. 

If this continues to happen how can the ocean be protected from the hazards that come along with cruise ships? It ends up being quite ironic because cruise ships rely heavily on the coral reefs, marine life, and clear blue water to attract their customers. Yet they have no problem polluting and ruining that environment. 

Due to being caught dumping illegally some cruise ships are required to have environmental officers. However like most things companies are finding away around this too. It has been reported that these officers are getting paid a lot and may not be so inclined to call out their employers when the correct producers aren't being followed. 

After everything is said and done I really believe that they only way cruise ships and the ocean can coexist is if cruise ship companies really want to protect they environment. People will always find away around things that they do not want to do. Until there is really awareness around this huge ongoing problem, we may continue to hurt the environment to the point of no return and not even be aware of it.

The Arctic and Cruising the Right Way

This week I discovered AECO which is Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators. Their mandate is to ensure respectful, environmentally friendly and safe cruising in this region. They understand not only about the fragile natural environment in the Arctic but also about the culture. They have 7 basic principles that they adhere by 1. leave no lasting signs of your visit, we should not be leaving any litter of any sort and even watch where we step with our feet when exploring. 2 do not take anything with you. 3. do not disturb animals and birds. 4. do not pick flowers. 5. leave cultural remains alone. 6. take the polar bear danger seriously. 7. respect local culture and local people. 8. be safe.

The AECO believes that if we all do our best to follow these guidelines then cruising can be a benefit to tourism. If we choose not to follow these guidelines then we are ultimately risking too much.

The environment I think is number one of this list because we really do need to understand the risk that we present when we travel. Cruise ships leave a large footprint on land, especially land that doesn't usually have many visitors. Without taking careful consideration of what we can do to contribute to making our travels more sustainable for the environment we are being negligent.

For more information on these guidelines and what exactly AECO is all about you can visit their website

www.aeco.com

Cruise Lines International Association...Trying to Foster a Change?

After doing some research this week I discovered the Cruise Lines International Association. (CLIA) This association was formed in 1975 with a mandate of "CLIA exists to promote all measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment, educate, train its travel agent members, and promote and explain the value, desirability and affordability of the cruise vacation experience" stated by their official website.

The CLIA has a commitment to preserving and protecting the environment. They represent 25 cruise lines and closely monitor on board activity to ensure that standards involving the environment are being met. They have also developed international environmental standards.

It seems to me that CLIA is making a valiant efforts to help protect the waters that cruise lines operate on, however I still can't help but wonder if it is enough?

The city of Folly Beach in South Carolina  reported to have a major concern about the environmental impact with the number of cruise ships coming to their port on the rise. On March 4, 2011 it was reported that they have asked all visiting cruise lines to prove their environmental commitment. On Jan 25, 2011 the city's council members voted that all cruise lines agree to not dump pollutants within 12 mile radius of the city and provide discharge logs as proof.


Now if we could only get more cities to be more concerned about protecting their areas natural resources we may be able to stop this uprising problem!

For more information on the article click on the link below...

http://www2.counton2.com/news/2011/mar/04/city-folly-beach-wants-cruise-lines-account-pollut-ar-1537901/

Hurray Port Metro Vancouver!!

Last week’s post about how Victoria’s residents are suffering due to sulfur dioxide being released in the air from docked cruise ships was disheartening. This week I found the Port of Metro Vancouver taking an initiative about this very problem. In 2009 Vancouver spent nine million dollars to be the first port in Canada and third in the world to offer shore power to docking cruise ships. This process allows for cruise ships to turn off their engines and run from the city’s electrical grid which greatly reduces emissions being released into the air. It is Vancouver’s hope to set standards that others will take on and follow.

The Port of Metro Vancouver has many other environmental initiatives such as Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, Truck Licensing Program, and EcoAction Program. Under the EcoAction Program Port Metro Vancouver has created the Blue Circle Award. This award provides a financial incentive for ships to reduce emission on their vessels. The award will recognize the highest emissions reduced.

Leading the way in Canada and really all around the world we can only hope that more and more cities will see the importance that the Port Metro Vancouver has seen in reducing emissions into our atmosphere. With an estimated 200 departures in the 2011 season from Metro Vancouver it is essential that other cities that hope to gain from the tourism revenue that cruise ships generate follow suit. 

Below is the direct link where further information can be obtained about all of Port Metro Vancouver's initiatives. 

http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/en/about/cruiseandtourism.aspx

Vancouver Island..

Today’s post unfortunately doesn’t bring any good news. It seems that the importance of cost takes a higher ranking in Victoria B.C. than finding a way to reduce sulfur dioxide levels while the ships are docked at James Bay. People are estimated to be breathing in levels 2 to 3 times higher than the okayed amount.

It becomes every more surprising to find out that the problem can be solved by what the industry would call plugging into shore power. Victoria states that this can’t be done because most cruise ships don’t have this ability. With the damage is causing to the environment shouldn’t this become a requirement? BC Hydro has also stated that this would cost tens on millions of dollars, proving that cost takes the higher ranking.

You can check out the youtube link that plays a short news clip brought to you by Vancouver Island News in 2010 about this very problem. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elZ7Z8Tltrk

Cruise Ships and the things you just might not know...

Most of us love the idea of traveling the world on a luxury boat and getting to see several places at once for a relatively cheap price. While aboard a cruise ship you get accommodation, food, shopping and in several cases everything you need while on vacation.

Unfortunately many people don’t know the amount of pollution that a cruise ship can deposit into the environment in just one day.  Here are some astonishing facts that I found while doing some research; Environmental Protection Agency averaged that one ship can produce about 21 000 gallons of sewage, 1 ton of garbage, 170 000 gallons of waste water, and about 8 500 plastic water bottles a day. If this doesn’t shock you, I don’t know what will.