Earlier this year, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources investigated several citizens’ complaints about a foul odor in the Crown Bay area. The investigation discovered the odor was emanating from Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas cruise ship.
After several months of discussions on identifying the source of the problem and establishing mitigation protocols, the department recently performed an on-site briefing and inspection of the ship’s waste handling facilities.
At the on-site visit, Commissioner Robert Mathes joined by DPNR legal counsel Kelvin Vidalc, David Simon (environmental program manager) and Vernill Roberts (environmental engineer) met with Oasis of the Seas’ Captain Thore Thorolvsen, Jon Joensen (chief engineer) and Richard Pruitt (director of environmental programs) to verify that corrective measures were implemented.
DPNR confirmed that the main cause of the odor was a poorly-aerated sludge holding tank. The following corrective measures were implemented:
1) The lines have been separated to allow enough air to get into each tank, thus reducing the odor when the sludge tanks are vented in the open air at the back of the ship
2) The use of a desinfinator system, which uses ozone technology to clean the air throughout the ship
3) The Oasis of the Seas is also now equipped with hydrogen sulfide sensors that detect odor and identify other areas of concern
These measure have been successful to date, and since DPNR’s last inspection, no foul odors have been detected. If anyone experiences foul odor in the Crown Bay area, please contact Mr. Vernill Roberts of DPNR at 774-3320.