[R. Dale Flick]

Steamboating colleagues:
A business E=Mail came today announcing new 'smoke'/fuel' laws for vessels within 200 miles of the U.S. coasts, Canadian waters [Great Lakes], rivers etc. Major cruise line officials met in Miami Beach to consider these laws to be implemented by the year 2012 with full application by 2015. This to "dramatically reduce air pollution from vessels and deliver benefits to large segments of the population, as well as to marineand terrestial ecosystems" The EPA has disregarded the impact on cruise operators. Beginning in 2015 fuel used by ALL operators operating in the ECA [Emission Controls Area] can't use fuels exceeding 0.1% sulfur content [1,000 parts per million]. Many operators claim, "It will change our world...bigger than increasing fuel costs." Engine, stack/funnel 'scrubbers' mentioned along with modifications for additonal storage for distillate fuels.

Before the year 2015 vessels would be required to use fuels with sulfur content not exceeding 10,000 parts per million. Down the road use of newer 'biofuels' could be employed. The impending law also extended to off-shore Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. No mention made of waters in/around Hawaii. Would include large draft vessels entering large bays, rivers. Impact on vessels we know [BELLE, NATCHEZ or in time the DQ, AQ, MQ an open question.

Ted Davission, Bob Reynolds, Kenney Howe and others here may have heard/know more. I'm dumb as mud about such engineering/technical factors but know an important story and legislation when I see it. Reaction by new powers in the U.S. Congress not mentioned as 'reacting' so far. That's all I know, so 'don't kill the messenger.' The rest of the story will tell more in time. Well, what do I know. Cheers!

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.