Smoke from Norwegian Cruise Ship Triggers Alarm at Caribbean Port

The cruise industry often faces scrutiny for its environmental impact, and a recent incident involving the Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship, Norwegian Epic, has sparked concern in the British Virgin Islands. A plume of white smoke observed from the ship while docked in Tortola led local authorities to assess its emissions and their effect on air quality.

The British Virgin Islands’ Ministry of Communications and Works requested a thorough evaluation from the Environmental Health Division. Measurements were taken for various pollutants, including carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide. Thankfully, all readings were found to be within normal limits, indicating that the smoke did not pose a health risk to passengers or the local community.

The Environmental Health Division clarified that the visible plume primarily comprised water vapor, a byproduct of the ship’s Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS), known as scrubbers. This technology reduces sulfur oxide emissions while complying with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards.

Despite the findings, authorities recommended that Norwegian consider switching from scrubbers to low-sulfur fuel when at berth to further improve air quality. The environmental officer of Norwegian Epic expressed willingness to implement this suggestion, with plans to transition to marine gas oil shortly after arriving and revert before departure on future visits to Tortola.

This proactive approach reflects a commitment from both Norwegian Epic and local officials to maintain a clean environment, ensuring the protection of the British Virgin Islands’ natural beauty and the health of its residents.

For those interested, more information can be found in related articles about cruise emissions and air quality measures in the Caribbean.

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