JULY 2019 • FOGHORN 19 FOGHORNFOCUS: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES PROTECTING OVER 1 MILLION LIVES EVERY DAY Survitec is the number 1 global supplier of innovative safety and survival solutions on passenger vessels. In addition to our flexible liferaft agreements we offer MES, lifeboats, rescue boats, fire safety and suppression, lifejackets, immersion suits, distress signals, electronics and much more. CONTACT US TODAY: (800) 931-3221 | (604) 278-3221 vancouver.sales@survitecgroup.com SURVITECGROUP.COM SCA0154A Ad - Foghorn 2018.indd 2 18/07/2018 16:13:30 Corporation, & plc). In short, Princess Cruises was noncompliant with the Environmental Compliance Plan. The cruise line had violated MARPOL laws for dumping food waste, plastic bottles, plastic bags, single use plastics, balloons, and other items of health concern. The pollution washed ashore to local beaches and tourist destina- tions, for those communities to contend with. The hard costs for noncompli- ance with the original proposal was $20 million, and costs for continued noncompliance ranged from $1 million to $10 million, per day. In addition, the company pays in disparaging soft costs to their reputation, guest experience, employee morale, and all stakeholders. Costs are leveraged with the acceptance of corporate responsibility and with this, the opportunity for change. Lessons for the entire maritime industry include the learned values of executive leadership. Executing top leadership commitment includes a top level or board-level commitment to compliance, a compliance committee including a Compliance Chief Officer reporting to the CEO, a Corporate Compliance Manager, and institut- ing an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for continual accountabil- ity throughout the operation. Plans include engagement and responsibility for all staff positions, and heightened responsibility for supervisory positions and task forces to oversee the EMP is carried out. The EMP includes staff engagement and feedback, auditing, ongoing training, green purchasing, waste reduction, proper containment, and more. Another key requirement in the proposal is to benchmark processes, consistency across ships, assess manning, technical review, food waste management, reduction of single use plastics, and standardization of processes, procedures, design and equipment. Within the passenger vessel industry, there are examples of companies that operate beyond the minimum standards of compliance, implement Environmental Management Systems and a triple bottom line strategy that emphasizes corporate responsibility towards people, profit, and the environ- ment. The true commitment towards environmental sustainability begins with the values for protection and responsible management. Then, we seek best environmental management practices, with the organizations that share our values. n Part 2 of this series will appear in the August edition. About the Author Margaret Foster-Roesner joined Hornblower in 2007 and is the Director of ISO, Training and Sustainability. Based in San Francisco, her responsibilities include Alcatraz Cruises, Statue Cruises, Hornblower Niagara Cruises and Hornblower Cruises and Events. She has a MBA from Dominican University of California and a B.A. in Management from Saint Mary’s College of California.