Royal Caribbean Commits to New Wastewater Technology

WASHINGTON, DC,, May 6, 2004 (ENS) - Cruise industry giant Royal Caribbean has decided to install Advanced Wastewater Purification technology on all its ships, according to a letter sent by the company to the international ocean advocacy group Oceana.

The letter represents a victory for Oceana, which has repeatedly criticized Royal Caribbean for dumping of pollution and wastes into ocean waters.

Only three of Royal Caribbean's 27 ships are presently equipped with the advanced wastewater treatment equipment needed to cleanse the millions of gallons of sewage their passengers produce that are dumped into the water daily.

Royal Caribbean has been fined more than $30 million for illegally dumping oily bilge water and other hazardous materials, as well as falsifying records to the Coast Guard.

The letter sent to Oceana on May 4 by Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO Richard Fain said the company was committed to installing Advanced Wastewater Purification facilities on each of its ships during normal drydocking operations, as well as on all newly constructed ships.

Royal Caribbean's letter also suggested the company will have independent, third party auditors monitoring this new technology.

"We are extremely gratified about Royal Caribbean's decision," said Andrew Sharpless, Oceana's chief executive officer. "They deserve a lot of credit for making this commitment to preserve and protect the health of our oceans, which we believe will result in upgrading their entire fleet before 2008."

Federal legislation is ultimately needed to ensure the entire industry limits wastewater pollution, Sharpless added, but this commitment by Royal Caribbean is an important first step.

Oceana will suspend its campaign against Royal Caribbean, Sharpless added, but "will be watching closely to make sure that the company follows through on its commitment."