9
Economic and Environmental Impact: Holland America
Have you ever taken or thought about taking a cruise? The cruise industry
has a vested interest in protecting the world’s oceans. Members of the Cruise
Lines International Association are dedicated to enhancing their environmental
programs and practices to help protect and conserve our global waters.
Reclaimed Water
Ships convert seawater to produce most of the fresh water they need. This water
is used for bathing, washing, laundry and even cooking. Approximately 30 percent
of fresh water used on board Holland America Line ships is produced from
converted seawater.
Water Conservation
Best practices in water conservation include using low flow toilets and showers,
using condensation water for deck washing, encouraging guests to reuse towels
and using non-toxic detergents in laundries.
Advanced Waste Water Treatment
On many ships, Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems treat black water
and gray water to produce an effluent that exceeds international regulations for
cleanliness. Black water is waste from toilets and medical facility sinks. Many
cruise ships today are equipped with advanced wastewater purification systems
that treat black water. These systems are more advanced than many typical
municipality sewage treatment plants. Gray water is wastewater from cabin
sinks and showers, laundry facilities, galleys and salons. It represents the
largest volume of wastewater generated on cruise ships.
Environmental Contributions
Cruise lines have implemented programs and technologies that contribute to
various environmental initiatives. For example, Carnival Cruise Lines has water
monitoring devices on some ships that help environmental groups, governmental
agencies and universities study and assess ocean pollution, weather patterns
and global climate change. For more information visit
HollandAmerica.com
.
Economic and Environmental Impact: How does NOAA
support the Maritime Community?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides critical
support services and products for maritime communities around the Nation.
Their mission is focused on environmental stewardship, collection and analysis
of scientific data, and the protection of life and property. NOAA’s products and
services support the economic vitality of our Nation’s maritime community which
contributes more than one-third of the country’s gross domestic product. In
Washington state, NOAA operates numerous facilities and employs over 1,000
scientists, engineers, and support staff.
Weather forecasting:
NOAA offices in Seattle and Spokane, Washington, and
in Portland and Pendleton, Oregon, provide forecasts for Washington State. Get
the latest forecasts, warnings and current conditions at
weather.gov
as well as
on NOAA Weather Radio stations.
Healthy Ecosystems:
NOAA manages fisheries that produce sustainable
seafood, protects marine mammals and endangered species, and conserves
important aquatic habitat. Visit
fisheries.noaa.gov
to learn more.
Safe Waterways:
Mariners navigating Puget Sound rely heavily upon accurate
navigation. NOAA’s navigation products and services aid in the safe and efficient
transportation of materials and goods throughout the region’s marine waterways.
Protecting our Coasts:
NOAA products support coastal management,
emergency management, and real-time commercial navigation. NOAA scientists
collect and analyze data from a series of onshore platforms and offshore buoys
that monitor air and water temperature, salinity, water level, barometric pressure,
wind speed and direction, humidity and rainfall, visibility, water quality and
ocean currents, to detect and warn of coastal hazards such as storm surges and
tsunamis and to monitor changes in climate and ocean conditions. When coastal
environments are threatened by chemical spills, or marine debris, NOAA provides
scientific expertise in responding to these hazards.
Observing our Planet:
NOAA researchers work to better understand ocean
dynamics and ocean-atmosphere interactions. Information on carbon dioxide
levels, heat content, and chemistry in the oceans, and on the amount of aerosols
detected in the atmosphere, provide scientists with data to better understand the
impacts of events such as El Niño, ocean acidification, and recent changes in
the Arctic. Learn more at
noaa.gov
.
Ec
M
Th
su
N
ol
re
pr
lif
W
Se
da
vo
H
en
co
en
Sa
m
tra
ac
ar
Pr
an
an
mi
ar
m
ex
O
re
int
he
an
un
Fr
fis
su
At Holland America Line,
corporate citizenship
and sustainability
are part of
our everyday values and culture
spacious
,
elegant
ships
■
gracious
,
award
-
winning
service
worldwide
itineraries
■
extensive
activities
and
enrichment
programs
■
sophisticated
five
-
star
dining
Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands
