2012 Ocean Ranger Guidebook Revision 3-7-12 - Alaska ...

2012 Ocean Ranger Guidebook 3-7-12
Job Aid Item: 1.1.d
Text: Check for unpermitted discharges of untreated wastewater, treated wastewater by unpermitted
vessels, discharge in areas closed to discharge, or discharge of sludge or biosolids in Alaska waters. (AS
46.03.462, AS 46.03.463, GP, 18 AAC 72.055).
Background: Cruise ships in Alaska are required to only discharge treated wastewater in Alaskan waters
and the Alexander Archipelago (AS 46.03.462&463, 33CFR 159.307&309). Discharge of untreated
wastewater in these areas is prohibited. Wastewater that is discharged must meet all federal and state
requirements for treatment and can only be discharged where permitted. Wastewater discharge in
Alaskan waters requires a state permit (2010 Large Commercial Passenger Vessel Wastewater Discharge
General Permit).
Title XIV (the “Murkowski law”) allowed the state of Alaska to regulate wastewater discharge for
large cruise ships within Alaskan waters and also within some areas in the Alexander Archipelago that
are outside of 3 nautical miles (nm) but within US territorial waters. This closed the “doughnut holes”
located in the Inside passage in Southeast Alaska. The boundaries are included in the General Permit
and the reference GP Map in this Guidebook.
The Wastewater General Permit does not include Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, any
discharge there would be unpermitted. The General Permit also prohibits discharge to impaired or
water quality limited waters. The only scheduled location cruise ships visit with impaired waters is
Skagway, discharges in Skagway harbor are prohibited.
The General Permit also has limitations on the type of discharges. Discharges must be from an
Advanced Wastewater Treatment System and cannot contain oily sheens, large amounts of foam,
floating solids, garbage, grease, or sediments and sludge that does not meet the standards required for
wastewater discharge (GP1.3).
A frequent question is discharge in the waters of Tracy Arm. Discharge restrictions for Tracy
Arm are by a voluntary agreement only. There is no regulatory prohibition on discharge of treated
wastewater in Tracy Arm. Discharges may violate the voluntary agreement, company policies, or public
statements- but these are not violations of federal or state law.
About 5-10 percent of the treated WW volume is “bio sludge” / “biosolids” these solids are kept
in holding tanks, although some vessels dry this sludge and incinerate. The sludge could also be
discharged outside 12 nm. Tank storage determination of the volumes should by documented and
understood by the OR. Some vessels appear to clean out the biosludge manually from the AWTS system
tanks / AWTS system. The sludge / solids are stored in drums / large garbage cans for later disposal.
Such operations should be reported and documented.
What to check: Check discharge logs for any entries documenting accidental or emergency discharges.
Check discharge log entries for locations of discharge that show unpermitted WW discharge. Check that
listed discharge amounts did not exceed the design capacity of the treatment plant. Check overboard
ports are closed on non-discharging vessels in Alaskan waters, and on discharging vessels in those areas
they cannot discharge. Monitor for unusual activities. Watch for foam, solids, oily sheens, unusual smells
in the waters around the cruise ship.
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