Cruise Ship Air Concerns
Where can I find the 2009 report on cruise ship air monitoring?
2009 Report on Air Quality Monitoring of Cruise Ships in Alaska
This report contains information on Notices of Violations issued in 2009 and background on the Cruise Program air emissions monitoring.
DEC assisted the US Forest Service with an 2008 Emissions Inventory for Skagway that was completed in 2010. This report also provides information on vessel emissions.
Where do I contact someone to report a cruise ship air complaint?
Ed White - Environmental Specialist III
Telephone: 907-465-5138
Fax Number: 907-465-5274
Email Address: edward.white@alaska.gov
Let us know the date, time, ship name, your location, whether the sun is behind you, and any pertinent atmospheric information (i.e. hazy, windy, overcast, raining, etc.) The information that you provide may assist us in compliance and enforcement actions. If you would like us to follow up with you, provide your contact information. Contact information will be kept confidential.
What regulation applies to cruise ship air emissions? Where can I find this regulation?
The Marine Visible Emission Standards are set in 18 AAC 50.070. They apply to all marine vessels, not just to cruise ships.
Does DEC monitor visible emissions from cruise ships?
The DEC Commercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance program regularly monitors emissions from cruise ships and ferries. Since the summer of 2000, a contractor has done over 250 opacity readings per year on large cruise ships in four Southeast Alaska ports (Juneau, Haines, Skagway, and Ketchikan). DEC has hired a contractor to do opacity readings on large vessels and small vessels in Southcentral Alaska since 2002. In addition, DEC staff respond to complaints.
Is any visible emission monitoring done in Tracy Arm or Glacier Bay?
DEC and the USDA Forest Service have partnered to share information on cruise ship visible emissions in Tracy Arm. Forest Service Rangers are certified in EPA Method 9 and conduct readings, which DEC may use for enforcement.
2009 Forest Service Report Opacity Readings in Tracy Arm
2006 Forest Service Report Opacity Readings in Tracy Arm
2005 Forest Service Report Opacity Readings in Tracy Arm
2004 Forest Service Report Opacity Readings in Tracy Arm
In Glacier Bay, Park Service employees conduct visible emissions monitoring on cruise ships. Any enforcement is coordinated through EPA.
What method is used to monitor cruise ship emissions?
EPA Method 9 is used to monitor the particulate matter exiting the stacks. Visible emissions readers (a.k.a. smoke readers) are trained and certified using a standardized national method. The method requires readers to visually differentiate the opacity of the emissions. It is critical that the sun is behind the reader in order to reduce light scattering that makes the plume appear darker.
Have there been any violations of the marine visible emissions laws?
Please see the 'CPVEC Reports' link on the Cruise Ship home page for up to date information.
Do cruise ships create any ambient air quality problems?
Ambient air was monitored in downtown Juneau for SO 2 , NO X , and PM 2.5 during 2000 and 2001. The pollutant levels were found to be way below federal and state health based standards. See the 'Alaska Cruise Ship Initiative 2000 Season: Part 2 Final Report' and the 'Interim Cruise Ship Sampling Data Summary' for more information.
How do I report excess emissions from my ship?
Use the Cruise Ship Excess Emissions Self Report.
