HOPE Helping Our Peninsula's Environment
Box 1495, Carmel, CA 93921                     Info(at)1hope.org
831/624-6500                                                  www.1hope.org

Mr. Douros, Superintendent

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary March 22, 2003

Dear Mr. Douros:

We appreciate and support your rapid response supporting Monterey's ban on the Cruise Ship which broke, and then covered up, its violation of their gentlemen's agreement to protect our precious and fragile bay and sanctuary.

To prevent any such reoccurrence, we strongly urge you create and enforce regulations which --

• Require a one million dollar bond - to be revoked and go to pollution abatement activities if there is any liquid discharge in our Sanctuary. As you know Cruise ships do not pay any U.S. taxes as they are registered in other countries. A bond would prevent any protracted legal battle over a legal violation. Providing a reward for those who report the discharges should significantly increase compliance.
• To provide immediate notice of all discharges, require the use of fluorescent dye in all liquid tanks -- bilges, sewage water, hazardous waste tanks, gray water tanks etc. The dyes are non-toxic, EPA approved, and visible for 4 to 8 miles from aircraft and extremely effective in lowering pollution. (See articles below)

http://jwaviation.com/pilotshop/survival.htm

http://www.prestodye.com/water-trace.html

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/landfallnav/-sfdye.html

• A speed limit in our Sanctuary not to exceed 10 knots to prevent the thunderous damaging noise (190 to 205 decibels) from cavitation by propellers. (In water 105 decibels is harmful to human divers, whales and Sea Otters)

Neither I, nor any of HOPE's decision makers, will benefit financially from our recommendations here.
 
 

With all due respect,

David Dilworth, Executive Director