Resurgence of the harbor seal due to cleaner water in the Port of Los Angeles
Things are changing at the Port of Los Angeles. In a very bold move to clean up its act, the Port of Los Angeles is making it tough on cruise lines to operate like business as usual. Ships are going to have to “plug in” instead of running on diesel during port days. According to Theresa Adams-Lopez from the Port of Los Angeles they have a goal that “by the end of the year, we hope to have the facilities in place to plug in cruise ships, like in Alaska. This eliminates one ton of emissions from the air each day.”
Cruisers will benefit from this because ships will either have to be retrofitted to allow for plug in or they will have to be newer with the equipment already in place.
Alternative Maritime Power, also known as AMP is the term used to describe how ships can plug in. Components of the AMP™ system at the Port of Los Angeles include a shore side power source, a conversion process to transform the shore side power voltage to match the vessel power systems, and a container vessel that is fitted with the appropriate technology to utilize electrical power while at dock. The City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power manages the electrical system and supplies power.
The Port of Los Angeles is currently in discussions with several cruise lines to expand the use of AMP to cruise vessels calling at the Port’s World Cruise Center terminal. In December 2004, the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners passed a policy resolution to promote the AMP program by helping each existing Port customer underwrite the cost of building or retrofitting their first container or cruise ship to run on electrical power when docked at the Port.
Carrie Bajak from Cruise Holidays of Mission Viejo says that it is a “win-win” for local area cruisers because we get better air quality and new cruise options. Royal Caribbean’s Monarch is moving to Port Canaveral Florida to do 3 and 4 day cruises. And Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas will head out as well. In their place is the newer Mariner of the Seas which will do 7-Day Mexican Riviera itineraries starting this Winter. Although it is not confirmed that the new policy has anything to do with the move, it will be a welcome change to the area to have the Mariner of the Seas.
Some of the trends in the cruise industry showing a commitment to go green include the following cruise enhancements:
Satellite positioning systems that prevent anchors being dropped on delicate sea beds or coral.
Ships powered with “green” diesel and special seals that prevent engine oil leakage.
The use of salt water in pools to reduce or avoid the use of chemicals such as chlorine.
LED lighting that uses 50% less energy than regular lighting.
Washing machines that use sound waves and less water.
In-port procedures that reduce air emissions up to 30%.
Providing containers for glass, plastic and other recyclable materials on board.
For more information about cruising from Los Angeles call Cruise Holidays at 949-215-6700
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
