Human Waste Disposal On Cruise Ships

Cruise ship discharges of solid waste are governed by two federal laws.

Human waste disposal on cruise ships. 1 million US gallons 3800 m3 of graywater wastewater from sinks showers and laundries. Older ships have in the past dumped human waste into the ocean once the ship was 12 nautical miles away from port however this is a rare occurrence today especially among the major cruise line operators. However many companies will set their own regulations that their ships have to comply with.

21000 gallons of human sewage one ton of solid waste garbage 170000 gallons of wastewater from showers sinks and laundry 6400 gallons of oily bilge water from the massive engines 25 pounds of batteries fluorescent lights medical wastes and expired chemicals and 8500. According to that 12-mile cut-off cruise ships are allowed to dump human waste in the ocean providing the right conditions are met. Because they are on the move it is much harder for the ships to dispose of waste.

The waste solids from the sewage plant are dried and burned to produce hot water. Most modern cruise ships have a 4 stage sewage treatment plant that produces drinking quality water in the final stage. More than 130 US gallons 490 L of hazardous wastes.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency in the course of one day the average cruise ship produces. Title I of the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act makes it illegal to transport garbage from the United States for the purpose of dumping it into ocean waters without a permit or to dump material from outside the US. As a general principle the polluters shall pay the costs for the disposal of the waste hence vessel owners have to pay the fees for disposal of oily and greasy ship waste.

Ships can dump treated sewage anywhere in the ocean except in Alaskan waters where companies must comply with higher state standards. Law allows cruise ships to dump raw sewage in the ocean once a ship is more than three miles off US. Likewise do cruise ships dump human waste in the ocean.

A general belief is that these enormous boats simply dump raw sewage and other pollutants straight into the oceans. The Bottom Line is that with the strict and stringent rules governing Cruise Ship dumping of waste in Americas Waters and the exorbitant charged for dumping this find is enough to send a thousand red flags up in Jamaica and we must demand immediate answers regarding the dumping of waste and filth by Cruise Ships in Jamaicas coastal waters. Violated environmental laws in the first year after it reached a 40 million settlement for improper waste disposal.