Contact: Amy Powers, Director CruiseMaine
207.310.0998 or Director@CruiseMaineUSA.com

Cruise Industry ENVIRONMENT 101 Program to be Presented in Two Maine Ports

The public is invited to attend two separate educational presentations that will highlight environmental practices of the cruise industry.

Featured speakers include:

Dr. Jane Disney, Executive Director of the Mount Desert Island Water Quality Coalition.

Dr. Disney initiated a citizen-based cruise ship monitoring project after community members expressed concern about cruise industry compliance with new state legislation on water quality. Although the volunteers detected no long term effects on the water quality in Bar Harbor; as a result of this project, the MDIWQC has made recommendations to the cruise industry, the town of Bar Harbor, the Maine State Department of Environmental Protection and community members about increasing awareness of state and local regulations, and increasing community involvement. Dr. Disney’s program has been featured in a publication called FROM SHIP TO SHORE; Sustainable Stewardship in Cruise Destinations coauthored by Conservation International and the Cruise Line’s International Association.

Dr. Disney’s program will feature a brief outline of her well respected testing program, and the coalition’s current and future initiatives.

Richard Pruitt, Director Environment and Public Health Programs for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Celebrity Tours).

Mr. Pruitt is responsible for developing corporate vision and strategic initiatives, and setting policy for all environmental and public health regulatory compliance and continual improvement operations. Royal Caribbean’s operations include a fleet of 30 ships in North and South America, the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Australia, Antarctica and Asia, as well as a number of rail, motor coach and land facilities.

Mr. Pruitt’s program will highlight industry environmental practices including:

-Waste streams and how they are managed,
-Pollution prevention,
-Research & Development initiatives to reduce the environmental footprint of cruise ships,
-Various Compliance Practices that go above and beyond legal requirements,
-Environmental and marine conservation initiatives being pursued by industry

Each presentation is scheduled to be approximately 20 minutes with a Q & A session to follow.

Program Information:

BAR HARBOR- Sponsored by CruiseMaine and the Town of Bar Harbor, ME

Date: Thursday 12APR07
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Bar Harbor Municipal Building in Council Chambers
93 Cottage Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609

This program will be recorded and televised over the local community cable network.

PORTLAND-Sponsored by CruiseMaine, Maine & Co., and Discover Portland & Beyond.

Date: Friday 13APR07
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: University of Southern Maine, Portland Campus
Room 403 in Luther Bonney Hall (Across from the Abramson Center)

Directions:

From the south:
Take the Maine Turnpike to Exit 44, South Portland/Downtown Portland (formerly Exit 6A). Follow I-295 to Exit 6B, Forest Avenue North. Take a left at the first traffic light onto Bedford Street. The Woodbury Campus Center is on the right. Enter the USM parking garage by taking the second left onto Surrenden Street.

From the north:
Take the Maine Turnpike to Exit 47, Rand Road/Westbrook (formerly Exit 7B). Follow Route 25 east for 3 miles. At the intersection of Falmouth Street, Route 25 (Brighton Avenue), and Bedford Street, bear to the left on Brighton Avenue that soon intersects with Bedford Street. Enter the USM parking garage by taking the first right onto Surrenden Street.

Parking:
Parking is available in the paid parking garage. Enter the USM parking garage by taking only parking garage entrance off of Surrenden Street.

Proceed from the parking garage through the Skywalk over Bedford Street, once through the Skywalk Luther Bonney Hall will be on the immediate left.

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The CruiseMaine Coalition in partnership with the Maine Port Authority and the communities of Bangor, Belfast, Boothbay Harbor, Bar Harbor, Bucksport, Camden, Eastport, Freeport, Kennebunk-Kennebunkport, Portland, Rockland and several Associate Members including Chase Leavitt & Co., Discover New England, Down East Magazine, FlyBangor, GetEtched, Maine & Co., Maine Office of Tourism, Maine Tourism Association, Maine Department of Transportation, Penobscot Bay & River Pilot’s Association, and the Washington County Commissioner’s Office works to promote these communities to the travel trade, travel media and cruise industry as attractive cruise destinations. We also provide the relative community and business support necessary for these areas to become and remain viable, productive cruise destinations while promoting cultural preservation and responsible tourism.