Opinion: Cruise ship routes don’t make sense

  • Sunday, September 1, 2019 1:30am
  • Opinion
In this photo taken on June 17, 2002, a humpback whale lunge feeds in front of kayakers near the North Douglas boat ramp. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

In this photo taken on June 17, 2002, a humpback whale lunge feeds in front of kayakers near the North Douglas boat ramp. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

So I’m confused.

Why would a Princess cruise ship have a “standard” route that takes the 1,000-feet-long ship, traveling at 20 mph through a narrow passage in Frederick Sound that is known, by any boater in Southeast Alaska, for routine use by feeding whales, lots of whales, like 30 to 50 whales. My husband and I passed northbound through the narrow waters between the Brothers Islands and Admiralty Island on the morning of Aug. 10. In our 32-foot boat, we had to actively steer around feeding whales to avoid disturbing them. As we continued northward, we saw the Grand Princess heading south. I radioed the ship, alerting them to at least 30 humpback whales that were feeding in the area into which the ship was heading. I recommended that the ship alter course — while they still had plenty of time — to pass east of the Brothers where Frederick Sound is much wider. I was told by the pilot that he had 30 years’ experience and this was the ship’s “standard” route. Thirty years’ experience running whales over?

Why are cruise ships allowed to travel routes that are known for high concentrations of whales when alternative routes are readily available? Because, I have been told, no federal agency has the authority to regulate the ships’ routes. OK, but why do the cruise lines and the pilots choose these routes, knowing that they will have a challenging time trying to maintain the NOAA-required 100-yard distance from 50 feeding whales in a narrow passage? Because no one is watching to document violations on video? No wonder more and more Juneau residents are angry with the cruise lines’ shameful disregard for our Southeast Alaska.

Sue Schrader

Douglas


• My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire.


More in Opinion

Web
Have something to say?

Here’s how to add your voice to the conversation.

The Alaska State Capitol is seen in partial morning sun on May 10, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Opinion: Attacking Biden is not the answer for Alaska — leadership is

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s transition report to the Trump administration accuses the Biden… Continue reading

Congress holds a joint session to certify the election results of 2024 on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 6, 2025. President-elect Donald J. Trump has waffled on his preferences for how his party tackles his agenda, adding to the uncertainty for Republicans. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)
Opinion: The moral imperative of our time

Last week, the Washington Post, censored a political cartoon by Pulitzer Prize… Continue reading

A view from the mountainside at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Opinion: New report demonstrates how Eaglecrest Ski Area can be self-supporting

A recently released report by the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ)… Continue reading

The Alaska State Capitol is seen in partial morning sun on May 10, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
Opinion: Attacking Biden is not the answer for Alaska — leadership is

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s transition report to the Trump administration accuses the Biden… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Appreciative of Win Gruening’s columns, even if not always in agreement

In his Dec. 28 column Win Gruening reflected on his ten years… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Social Security law restores payments Congress took from public workers

The news media has been wrongly depicting the social security fix to… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski addresses the Alaska State Legislature in February of 2023 at the Alaska State Capitol. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
My Turn: Alaska delegation deserves kudos for new Social Security law

The Social Security legislation just now signed into law brings a significant… Continue reading

A Chinook salmon is seen in an undated photo. (Photo by Ryan Hagerty/USFWS)
My Turn: Efforts to protect salmon, environment are to benefit a wide spectrum of interests

Tom Conner’s recent My Turn criticizing SalmonState was a messy mashup of… Continue reading

Most Read

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Juneau Empire relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in