The National Park Service is making snap inspections of cruise ships at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve/Kurt Repanshek file

Cruise ships plying the waters of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska can approach the size of small towns, with thousands of passengers that require food services and wastewater management systems. On top of those waste generators, the ships use propulsion systems with fuels that could devastate the park's environment if leaks arise. Against that backdrop, the National Park Service has started an unannounced inspection system by which third-party inspectors will board ships to monitor their operations.

More than 95 percent of all visitors to Glacier Bay arrive aboard large cruise ships to access and enjoy dynamic tidewater glacier systems protected within the national park. While all cruise ships that visit Alaska must meet state and federal regulations to reduce impacts to the environment, cruise ships that have permits into Glacier Bay must comply with additional environmental standards. Contractual requirements by these ships, such as zero discharge of wastewater and use of low sulfur fuel, exceed the standards required when operating in state waters.

“The combination of park regulations with operating requirements in the contracts make Glacier Bay the most environmentally sustainable area in the world for cruise ships to visit,” says Dr. Philip Hooge, Glacier Bay's superintendent.

This Environmental Monitoring and Compliance Program is funded entirely by the cruise industry. However, third-party, independent inspectors will report directly to managers at Glacier Bay. Inspections will occur randomly with inspectors boarding as cruise ships enter the park. Ship’s crew will not know when inspections will occur until boarding. 

The inspection program is taking over for a state of Alaska program that shut down/Kurt Repanshek file

Historically, Glacier Bay managers used reports from the State of Alaska’s Ocean Ranger program to meet this requirement. With the Ocean Ranger program dissolved, inspectors with knowledge of ship operations have not been present on vessels that entered the park since the resumption of Alaska cruising in June 2021.

“The State of Alaska’s Ocean Ranger program was an essential component in the park’s oversight of cruise ship concessions contracts,” said Hooge. “We would prefer that the state program be re-established to complete inspections in Glacier Bay. Until then, we must ensure the ship’s environmental systems meet NPS contract obligations. And this program provides rigorous inspection at minimal cost to the industry.”  

Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Seabourn each has signed a contract with third-party inspectors. A contract between inspectors and Norwegian Cruise Lines is expected shortly, a park release said. 

“We welcome this opportunity to help ensure that the high standards that are a hallmark of our operations in Glacier Bay continue and to reinforce our commitment to environmental protection,” said Jan Swartz, group president serving Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Seabourn.  

Inspections will focus on all operations that may have environmental impacts, such as wastewater management, air emissions, fuel quality, garbage management, marine mammal protection, and inspections of compliance documentation. 

Glacier Bay National Park contains one of Alaska’s largest and best protected marine ecosystems. The National Park Service is committed to preserving this vast, intact, naturally functioning marine ecosystem for future generations while meeting its mandate for access and enjoyment of park resources and values. This Environmental Monitoring and Compliance Program is a key part of the larger effort to protect this iconic marine park.