Clean Ships, Clean Ports, Clean Oceans: Controlling Garbage and Plastic Wastes at Sea (1995)
Chapter: Intelligence
Control
Control of passenger day boats and ferries is fairly stringent, in that all vessels are U.S. flag, and most terminals are owned by the vessel operators or are under long-term contracts to vessels. The Coast Guard regulates the construction and operation of these vessels (46 C.F.R. Subchapter T). The operators of these vessels must have Coast Guard documentation. In general, garbage management is not a problem in this sector because vessels operate regularly out of the same terminals and have standard waterfront garbage-hauling contracts. However, vessel operators report that disposing of garbage in shoreside facilities is becoming more expensive.
Analysis of Interventions
Table 4-4 lists possible interventions to improve Annex V implementation in the day boat sector. Although it appears that minimal assistance is needed with Annex V compliance, this is a significant maritime sector contributing to coastal traffic, the fastest growing segment of maritime transportation today. There are probably ways of improving Annex V implementation, notably through waste minimization, passenger education, crew training, and improvements in shoreside disposal systems.
Operational interventions might include offering passengers drinks in paper cups from large dispensers8 rather than individual cans. Because passengers come and go quickly and may remain in a limited area, ample Annex V information must be provided through posters, placards, and public address announcements, throughout both vessels and terminals. Regulatory interventions include auditing of shipboard practices and requiring Annex V compliance on ferries with international routes as a condition of joint agreements with the other nation involved (e.g., Canada).
Because an individual vessel typically uses the same piers repeatedly, it should not be difficult to integrate the garbage disposal needs of vessels into waste management planning for ports. Simple improvements could yield a high level of compliance.
Small Public Vessels
Intelligence
At one time, operators of Coast Guard and small naval auxiliary vessels expected to base their Annex V compliance strategies on the Navy's compliance
TABLE 4-4 Applying the Hazard Evolution and Intervention Model to Passenger Day Boats, Ferries, and Waterfront Facilities
|
Hazard Evolution Model |
Human Behavior that Encourages Garbage |
On-board Generation of Garbage |
|
Interventions |
Modify Behavior that Encourages Generating Garbage |
Reduce Garbage Generation during Voyage |
|
Technological |
|
Use alternate packaging materials. |
|
Organizational and Operational |
Employ Total Quality Management principles. Provide high standard of service with new materials. |
Use only vendors committed to packaging and storage techniques that minimize waste. |
|
Educational (Target Population Content) |
Encourage passengers to respect clean oceans and support tenets of Annex V. Train crews to provide same service with new materials. |
|
|
Government and Private Regulation and Enforcement |
Control activities of vessel operators. |
Prohibit use of certain materials. |
|
Economic (Market Forces) |
Make vessel operators aware that clean water may encourage increased business. |
|
|
Hazard Evolution Model |
Breakdown in Compliance |
Discharge of Garbage (already prohibited by national laws) |
Exposure to Discharged Garbage (not applicable) |
|
Interventions |
Prevent Breakdown in Compliance |
Block Discharge of Garbage |
Block Exposure to Discharged Garbage |
|
Technological |
Provide ample on-board storage capacity. |
Make room to store garbage in places other than weather deck. |
|
|
Organizational and Operational |
Provide Annex V posters, placards, and public address announcements and many trash cans on board vessels and in terminals. Audit shipboard practices. |
Establish garbage sorting system. Establish integrated garbage management (coordinated with shoreside recycling programs). |
|
|
Educational (Target Population Content) |
Train crews in Annex V compliance procedures. Foster peer enforcement among passengers. Educate vessel operators through literature directed at this sector. |
|
|
|
Government and Private Regulation and Enforcement |
Audit vessel operations to assure compliance. Require compliance on international routes as condition of joint agreements. |
Ensure adequacy of port reception facilities. |
Grind garbage before discharge. |
|
Economic (Market Forces) |
Encourage peer enforcement through bounty provisions of U.S. law. |
Assure that port reception facilities are cost effective. |
Increase fees for receiving unsorted wastes. Pay premium for recyclables returned to port. |
