news release
    24th May 2004

At 7:00am today campaigners from Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) paddled out on surfboards to greet 'The World' as it arrived in Falmouth Harbour. Having hitched a trip out on a boat with Orca Seafaris, campaigners entered the water and unravelled a floating banner that welcomed the vessel as an environmentally friendly cruise ship that deals responsibley with its sewage and wastewater. Untreated sewage from cruise ships carries bacteria and viruses that are harmful to humans. Discharged untreated into the marine environment sewage can cloud the water with harmful nutrients, reducing oxygen levels and killing fish. It is believed that some coral reefs across the world are increasingly coming under pressure from cruise line companies with inadequate sewage treatment systems.

SAS believe all cruise ships should install full sewage treatment systems that treat sewage with Ultra Violet (UV) Light Disinfection before it is discharged to sea. At present very few of the world's cruise ships have this technology installed, yet the technology is available and not expensive in light of the growing popularity of the cruise ship tourism growth. Revised legislation on the prevention of pollution by ships (Annex IV of MARPOL) is expected to be ratified later this year by some nations, but whilst it will make some improvements it does not stipulate all cruise ships must have full sewage treatment. Richard Hardy, SAS Campaigns Director says," The World is a great example of a cruise ship that puts the marine environment first. Unfortunately not all cruise ships have been as responsible in dealing with their sewage and so leave a trail of damaging bacteria and viruses in their wake as they give passengers a holiday of a lifetime.

Some ten years ago it was determined that it was morally irresponsible to dump untreated sewage into the ocean from towns and cities. In what are effectively now 'floating towns', carrying thousands of people, it is therefore no less acceptable for cruise ships to pump and dump untreated sewage to sea". SAS calls on all holidaymakers when booking a cruise to enquire whether the company they sail with has a full sewage treatment policy on board their ships and to avoid those companies that fail to provide it. For further information, mini dv footage or pictures please contact Richard Hardy on Tel: 01872 553001 or Mob: 07711 767548.

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