CruiseMaine, HAL set environmental tour

August 15, 2007

CruiseMaine and Holland America Line are sponsoring a tour of the Maasdam’s environmental systems during the ship’s Aug. 17 call at Bar Harbor.

Participants will learn about the Zenon ZeeWeed advanced wastewater purification system, recycling processes and bilge wastewater management, among other systems. Tom Dow, vp public affairs for Carnival Corp. & plc, will host the tour.

CruiseMaine began collaborating with the cruise industry on educational presentations about shipboard environmental practices five years ago, and programs have been hosted by various lines.

The organization has a strong community relations focus and supports responsible tourism, said director Amy Powers. ‘Fostering relationships between industry and community and educating everyone about the practices and intentions of the industry is vital to gaining future support for cruise tourism and infrastructure funding in Maine. We want to be good partners to industry,’ she told Seatrade Insider.

Attendees of the presentations have included members of Maine’s Legislature and its joint standing committees on natural resources, transportation and marine resources, the director of the Land and Water Quality Division of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, members of local harbor committees, businesspeople and industry stakeholders, media, environmental advocacy groups, tourism entities, port and municipal employees and city council members.

According to Powers, the experience typically impresses participants with the cruise industry’s commitment to ‘leaving no trace.’

‘The overwhelming reaction that we receive from attendees is “Wow, if only we [land-based businesses] were so diligent in our practices, we would certainly have a much healthier environment overall,’ she said.

Copyright: Seatrade Insider cruise news at www.cruise-community.com, 2007

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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.