BAR HARBOR — There was wild speculation and suspicion when the Mount Desert Island Water Quality Coalition first announced plans roughly two years ago to study the effects of increasing cruise ship traffic on the town’s bay. Those within the cruise industry feared scientists would deliver scathing results regardless of their findings and residents believed researchers would uncover an environmental disaster in the making.
U.S. Senator Susan Collins, on left, greets state Representative Ted Koffman during a reception aboard the ship.—CRAIG CROSBY PHOTOS
Two years later, the fear and speculation have been replaced by trust.
“I think the International Council of Cruise Lines, after our first report came out, understood more clearly our intent and methodology,” recalled Dr. Jane Disney, executive director for the water quality coalition. “I think [the cruise industry] recognize it’s not a bad thing when people have questions, and they’re able to answer them rather than basically suspecting. Certainly, people I talked to in town thought we would find problems we did not find.”
The cruise industry gave tangible proof of that improved relationship Friday during a formal ceremony aboard Holland America’s 718-foot Maasdam attended by a host of local and state officials, Senator Susan Collins, the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation and Cruise Maine USA. The organizations announced they were contributing more than $30,000 to three agencies committed to environmental research.
“The best measure of good cooperate citizenship is going above and beyond the call of duty,” said Sen. Collins. “That’s what we’re celebrating here today.”
Tenders ferry passengers from Holland America’s cruise ship, Maasdam, between ship and shore.—CRAIG CROSBY PHOTOS
MDI Water Quality Coalition, College of the Atlantic and Acadia Partners for Science and Learning (the nonprofit partner supporting the Schoodic Education and Research Center) each received $10,000.
The MDI Water Quality Coalition, which received the money earlier this summer, is already putting the money to work, creating a student stipend, posting training materials on their website, and conducting nitrogen tests in the town’s bay. The research findings will be added and compared to the organization’s 2004 study.
“We’re trying to get a nitrogen profile out here when the ships are here and when the ships aren’t,” Dr. Disney said.
College of the Atlantic will use its grant to support its ongoing marine mammal research. Acadia Partners for Science and Learning will put the money toward its ongoing programs.
“This is really a jewel of a place,” said Bill Zoellick, development director for Acadia Partners. “It’s a special place, on a special coast, in a special state.”
Mr. Zoellick compared the donation to Acadia National Park’s origins. The park exists because individuals got involved to protect large portions of the island. “Your gift shows, just like 100 years ago, there are people who will step forward to make a difference,” Mr. Zoellick said.
State and federal officials, above, finish a meal in the dining room of the luxury liner Maasdam following Friday’s ceremony to award grants of $10,000 to three local environmental agencies.—CRAIG CROSBY PHOTOS
From the Maasdam’s Crow’s Nest, 12 stories above Frenchman Bay, on a crystal-clear day, it was easy to understand Bar Harbor’s increasing popularity among cruise ship schedulers. Approximately 100,000 visitors last year spent roughly $17 million, supporting 200 jobs.
“We don’t necessarily think of cruise ships as an essential component of Maine’s economic engine, but they really are,” Sen. Collins said.
But with that increasing popularity comes the potential for increased pressure on the bay’s fragile ecology. Sen. Collins lauded the International Council of Cruise Lines’ efforts to reduce that impact, comparing it to Leave No Trace standards endorsed by outdoor enthusiasts. The Maasdam, for example, uses a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment system that reduces wastewater effluent to nearly pristine conditions. Tom Dow, vice president of public affairs for Carnival Corporation, Holland America’s parent company, said a new whale avoidance system is being instituted on all Carnival ships.
Giving grants is just another way of fostering public support. The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation gives money in communities throughout the world served by the cruise industry.
“How we’re viewed in the communities we do businesses in is of vital importance,” Mr. Dow said.
For more including the latest local news and the cruise ship schedule for Bar Harbor please visit the latest edition of the Mt. Desert Islander online.
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