A story that some may have read – but many may not have.
Princess Cruises – ‘Caribbean Princess’ a ship that we have sailed on as passengers, was fined a record amount of $40 million/around £32 million for illegally discharging oily water waste into the sea (off the UK). A UK Engineer whistle blew the sequence of events to the MCA (Maritime & Coast Guard Agency) who in turn referred it onto the US Coast Guard.
The cruise line, a subsidiary of the American-British Carnival Corporation, pleaded guilty to seven charges following an investigation by US federal authorities. Prosecutors said the payment represents the largest penalty imposed on any firm for deliberate pollution by a ship at sea. Parent company Carnival has also agreed to submit 78 cruise ships across its brands to a five-year environmental compliance programme as part of the plea agreement.
When I worked as the Senior Tech Engineer on Cruise ships, The Oily Water System and its calibration came under my remit, I was never asked and have never know to by-pass the system as in the ‘Caribbean Princess’ and 4 other Princess Cruise ships.
I will not be sailing with this company again – this willing deliberate pollution must have been known to the senior management of The Carnival Corporation – which also includes Cunard.
