For Immediate Release: March 14, 2000
Memorandum Of Understanding Signed By
Cruise Industry And The Florida Department Of Environmental Protection
PEMBROKE PINES,
FL - Today marks a historic moment
for the 15 Member Lines of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)
as the cruise industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) regarding its
environmental practices and policies.
The cruise industry through the Member Lines of the
FCCA and International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL), a Washington based
trade association, has developed cruise industry policy with regards to
waste minimization, waste reuse and recycling and waste management.
The cruise industry through these two associations has
been engaged with the FDEP in a proactive, trilateral discussion involving
a number of environmental management policy goals based on the following
underlying principles:
- comply with applicable laws and regulations
- maintain cooperative relationships with the regulatory community
- manage waste streams
- minimize waste generated
- maximize reuse and recycling
- educate and training cruise vessel personnel in waste management
practices
- embrace new technology in the management of waste streams
- design cruise vessels to be environmentally friendly
The Memorandum of Understanding which has been one year
in the works and which underlines the FDEP acceptance of the cruise
industry’s waste handling practices was signed by Richard E. Sasso,
Chairman, FCCA Executive Committee and David Struhs, Secretary of the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection. On hand to witness the
signing was Michele Paige, president of the FCCA, Matthew Sams, Chairman,
FCCA Operations Committee and senior executives of the cruise industry.
"The cruise industry is committed to maintaining a
clean environment. The industry is very excited to be taking this
proactive leadership stance on waste disposal and we are proud to be a
part of a solution to protect our environment," said Michele Paige,
FCCA’s president. "As an industry, we are looking forward to
continuing to work in concert with the FDEP, the US Coast Guard and other
agencies and remain committed to the environmental five "R"s:
reduce, reuse, recycle re-educate and research. We have also added a sixth
"R" - resolve - the resolve to continue to champion
environmental causes and to meet future challenges in the area of marine
environmental protection."
"The cruise industry is to be applauded for this
initiative for they have agreed to adhere to much higher standards than
are currently regulated for protecting the environment," stated
Captain William H. Fels, Chief, Marine Safety Division, US Coast Guard.
The Memorandum maintains that the FCCA and ICCL have
acted in "good faith" in working with the FDEP to develop waste
management practices which will preserve a clean and healthy environment
and which demonstrates the cruise industry’s commitment to environmental
protection and setting policies that will make the cruise industry a
leader in environmental performance.
It is based on the following mutual understandings:
- FDEP acceptance of the Waste Management Practices Guidelines which
have been set forth as cruise industry policy in the management of
solid wastes, hazardous wastes and waste waters - acknowledging that
these practices and procedures meet or exceed the standards set forth
in Florida laws and applicable Florida regulations.
- FDEP understanding that under US regulations and laws, the US Coast
Guard is the primary federal agency with the primary responsibility to
examine cruise vessels for the proper administration of waste streams
- examinations which assure that the cruise ships comply with
international regulations (MARPOL) and US regulations. The FCCA has
agreed to disseminate information to its member cruise lines which
will request each line to comply with the waste management practices
contained and outlined in the Waste Management Practices Guidelines.
Further the association will request that each cruise line will
maintain an appropriate record book relating to these described waste
management practices for inspection by the US Coast Guard.
- Acceptance of a uniform procedure by FCCA member cruise lines
vessels as meeting the requirements of Florida law.
- Waste management practices are undergoing constant assessment and
evaluation by cruise industry members. It is understood by the FDEP,
FCCA and ICCL that the management of waste streams will be an ongoing
process which has its stated objectives both waste minimization and
pollution prevention.
- FCCA will host an annual meeting with the FDEP and ICCL to continue
to review management practices and to work cooperatively on waste
minimization, pollution prevention technology and training
initiatives. The US Coast Guard and other appropriate entities will be
invited to participate in the annual meetings.
- FDEP has agreed that the performance required by the FCCA under the
terms of this memorandum of understanding only shall be directed to
its member cruise lines and the ICCL.
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FCCA is a trade association composed of 15 Member Lines
operating more than 50 vessels in Florida, Caribbean and Mexican waters:
Cape Canaveral Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises,
Costa Cruise Lines, Cunard Line Ltd., Disney Cruise Line, Holland America
Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Premier Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regal
Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruise Line, Sun Cruises
and Topaz International Cruises. It was created in 1972 by the Member
Lines, in order to discuss and exchange views on issues relating to:
legislation, tourism development, ports, safety, security and other cruise
industry issues.
2012 State of Florida