MacGregorSailors.com

found it...

The First and main one is the The Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) and the second the Jones Act. The Jones Act really brought together bits of legislation, some going way back, and it covers all Domestic marine trade, whereas the PVSA is, as the name implies, concerned with passengers.

Enacted in 1886 the PVSA essentially prohibits a foreign or non US built crewed and Registered vessel from picking up passengers in one US port and disembarking them in another US port.

The PVSA does however, allow ships to pick up and return passengers to the same US port providing they call at a foreign port in the course of the voyage. It may also pick up passengers at a US port and disembark them at another US port providing it calls at a port deemed to be 'distant' by the Government. i.e. from Miami to LA and calling at Curacao. It doesn't matter how many US ports it stops at on that voyage. i.e. Seattle, inside passage to Alaska, 4 ports, outside to Victoria.B.C. and back to Seattle.




foreign flagged carriers do this to lower their required level of coast guard inspection, and to lower the requirements for crew manning. Foreign Vessels do not have to meet more stringent US laws when Outside of US territorial waters...

Divecoz asked if I was ever going on another cruise, and the answer is yes! The information exposed was eye opening and old. It was new to me, but old news. Upon investigating, the story about the 1998 incident ( over four years old) the following was at the end of the story. Things do change sometimes!

"The company's current antipollution practices are supervised by a federal judge in Miami. Royal Caribbean has added former EPA administrator William Reilly to its board of directors, and each ship now has a full-time environmental officer on board. Gas turbines instead of diesels power the company's newest ships; this will dramatically reduce airborne exhaust.

The public posture of repentance is so extensive -- even as the investigation into past practices continues -- that every shipboard employee's name tag bears a tiny turquoise logo that says, "Save the Waves." The same logo hangs over cabin toilets and on deck rails, with signs urging passengers not to throw trash overboard.

But the practices have proved hard to root out, despite the extensive attention that they've received. Just a month after the first guilty pleas, a Royal Caribbean ship illegally dumped oil waste overboard. Royal Caribbean reported that incident to federal officials and dismissed two employees.

With the cruise-ship industry's dramatic growth, the federal government made it clear that it was making an example of Royal Caribbean. The $9 million and $18 million fines each set a record for the largest pollution penalty for a cruise-ship company. Together, the $27 million that Royal Caribbean paid exceeds the $25 million fine imposed on Exxon for the environmental damage caused by the grounding of the Exxon Valdez."

Yes Divecoz, I am going on that cruise in December. The next year though, I hope to be around the Florida Keys in my 2005 M instead.


Ray

Niceaft, you wrote: "You guys are as wrong as wrong can possibly be!
This site has always impressed me with the accuracy and inteligence [sic]of the information sent out. And now this?"

Despite your admitted ignorance which caused you to spew forth a misguided and unwarranted invective, you insist upon denigrating yourself further by announcing that you can't wait to climb on board another cruise ship because the "news" of which you were completely ignorant throughout your years of Cruiseshipping is "old" and, therefore, outdated and no longer valid. If you were trying to disguise your penchant for inane discourse, you did not do a very good job of it.

I have decided not to respond directly to your latest announcement because I value this board too much and don't want to be kicked off of it. Instead, all that I can state is "Bon voyage," "don't fall overboard," and "Happy Polluting." [/quote]

NiceAft said in an earlier post that he was at the Philadelphia boat show, for several hours, yet didn't even see the MacGregor 26M that was there.
In his most recent post he says he is still going on a cruise, but hopes to be around the Florida Keys, the next year, in his 26M instead.
He lists his interests as: sailing, photography, and old books.
It should be of interest to him, that it will be a lot easier to see a lot of trash on the bottom, sailing near the Keys, and if he has an underwater camera, he can take pictures of old books, and other junk.

Hey NiceAft,

I thought your last post revealed a moderated position, was eminently reasonable, and that your chosen carrier is making the effort. I guess we were wrong! I never imagined this topic could draw so much debate and vilification ... suppose we were both uninformed. Wow!

I've never been on a cruise ship, but I've pondered it. Guess I'll need to study it more carefully, and then be sure to never speak of it - must remember, never talk about politics (esp. Bush43), or Iraq, or the Kyoto (dis)Agreement, or religion, or cruise ships! Better stick w/ Macs, eh?

BTW - great name for a powersailer!
Peace, Bro . . .

Not a matter of dis-agreement its a matter of once informed still not concerned for or about any- thing or one but him sad at best.
No Nice aft, the problem has not stopped it may have slowed down but far from stopped . Your not looking but thats your choice . I live as I said at least part time on Cozumel and see the problem still exist . Its close by soo I se it well . I am not just singleing you out by any means as I see many on a couple of other boards who feel the same way as you . . on this topic and for them a few others as well that concern our water world. As far as the 2 stroke issue . . .those motors of the past are no-longer produced and those who have them... some have replaced no doubt most have not . Yet I doubt many are out scouring the bushes looking for those old motors to buy and use . My desire is to inform and hope for the best .I admit sometimes my delivery reduces the effect of the information and I am working on that .

Divcuz, If you misunderstand my position, Im sorry about that. Maybe I can clarify?

The information about the misconduct of the cruise line industry was news to me. I investigated the line that I travel on, and found out that indeed, they were heavily fined., but that was 1998! Since then they have made stellar efforts to clean up their act. If I had known in 2001 about the 1998 incident I probably would not have taken that trip. Would I have preferred that changes be made on a voluntary basis instead of major arm twisting, you bet. Remember, I am not speaking of other cruise lines, just the one that I use, Royal Caribbean. Based on 2005 data, my initial post was, and is, correct. Yet some are still saying that because of the past misdeeds of that industry shame on me for using a line that apparently has changed its ways.

It was pointed out to me by Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL that it will be a lot easier to see a lot of trash on the bottom, sailing near the Keys, and if he has an underwater camera, he can take pictures of old books, and other junk.

Im guessing he was implying that the mess still rests on the bottom, and that we should never ever go on one of those cruise lines because of it. Based on that logic we should not drive VWs or other German cars because we fought two wars with them and millions of persons died. For that matter, why use a Japanese motor on your boat. Grow, and move on? not with that mindset.

Last, but not least. In his posting he also commented about my hobbies; sailing, photography, and collecting old books. Im going to guess again, and say that it why he commented about me SAILING the Keys with an underwater CAMERA taking pictures of OLD BOOKS and other junk? Old books and other junk!

Its obvious that others and I disagree. Being vitriolic does not contribute to their position! Chill out! Find someone who operates a two stroke engine and convince that person that it would be a lot less polluting to our waters if they purchase a four stroke engine, or does this open another can of worms?

If it ever comes to pass that we should meet someday. I'll be sure to great you with an open hand, an say it's great to meet you at last, I hope you have chilled out?

Ray

Heath here is another candidate...

I enjoy hearing about fun sailing days that people had, but please keep in mind when it might be better to send a private message or an email instead. Here's a hint - any topic that starts with "<some board user> - <some question>?" belongs in a private message or a direct email to somebody. Otherwise it's a topic that will probably get deleted. On the other hand, a thread on "Beautiful Sailing Weather" telling about a fun sailing day and asking if other people made it out is more likely to survive on the board.
Heath

CRUISE SHIP DAMAGES REEFS AND ALMOST RUNS DOWN A DIVE PARTY
by Novedades de Q. Roo <( Name of the News Paper )



According to the report filed by the dive operation, Aqua Safari with Cozumel's National Marine Park office, on Thursday 17 at 15:30 hours the Carnival cruiseship Inspiration passed within a meter and a half (60") of a group of 12 divers who were exploring the bottom of reef Para�o at the time.


According to the reports of dive masters with Aqua Safari, the force of the propellers raised sediment so that it was impossible to see the palm of your hand. This situation produced panic among the divers who scattered away this way and that fearing for their lives and at the same time taking a risk of being sucked up into the enormous propellers.

After the report, the administration of the park acted immediately and notified the Harbor Master's Office and Profepa to be sure that the cruiseship did not leave the port without recognizing the incident and agreeing to abide by the evaluation of damages and any actions that might later be taken.

In the meantime the Profepa requested the support of the PGR to commence a formal collection of fact to be presented before the Federal Attorney General's office. The formal inspection and subsequent complaint will evaluate damages and determine responsibility not only for risking the lives of the divers and their guides but also for crossing a forbidden area of the National Park, thereby causing grave damage.

The cruiseship Inspiration which was scheduled to leave a 21:00 was not allowed to get underway until midnight.

What a shame. And a real surprise, too.

On Pigs of the Sea Check out this site http://www.cruisejunkie.com/