Anchorage Daily News

JUNEAU -- Cruise ship lines have made their vessels more accessible to state environmental monitors in the last month, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

"DEC is satisfied that (Ocean) Rangers are now getting sufficient access to complete their checklist and accomplish their duties," said Denise Koch, cruise ship program manager.

In late June, a report by Paul Johnson, Ocean Ranger manager for the state's contractor, Crowley Marine Service, said 10 out of 27 large cruise ships had restricted ranger access.

Johnson's report suggested that Holland America Line and Princess Cruises had issued guidelines on "how to restrict and control the observations of the rangers."

Holland and Princess are owned by Carnival Corp. & PLC, based in Miami and London. Eight Holland ships and eight Princess ships visited Alaska last month.

In a similar survey a month later, just one ranger reported problems with two ships. The ranger said the ships' environmental officers had limited time for him and did not provide necessary information, Koch said.

However, all other rangers, including other rangers on those two ships, said they had the access they needed.

After the June report, DEC met with cruise line representatives.

"Subsequently, the companies revised their policies regarding ocean rangers to correct impediments to access," Koch wrote.

"Our goal was always to be cooperative and allow access," said Princess spokesman Bruce Bustamante.

Rangers stay aboard ships or inspect them in port. They report each day on safety, environmental compliance and sanitation, using DEC checklists.

This is the first season for the Ocean Ranger program, set up through a law passed by voters in a 2006 ballot initiative.

After the June report, Gershon Cohen, who co-wrote the initiative, filed a notice of intent to sue. He said he was pleased by the latest report, and he backed off the threat to sue.

"We certainly attribute that improvement to both the state's stepping up to the plate, which we appreciate, and the fact that we filed a notice to sue them for breaking the law," he said.

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