Gray water has several definitions in the maritime world. The US Clean Water Act includes galley, bath and shower water in its definition. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) defines gray water as including dranage from dishwasher, shower, laundly, bath and washbasin drains. In both US and international law, watewaters that are incidental to the operation of the ship are also considered gray water. These would include such things as water from the pools and spas, condensate from the air conditioning system, and runoff from deck washing.
Although both US and international requirements allow gray water to be discharged essentially anywhere, including while ships is in port, we have a company policy that goes Above and Beyond Compliance. Gray water is discharged outside 12 nautical miles, except in case of an emergency or where the stability of the ship would be imperiled. In the latter case, the Senior Vice President, Fleet/Marine Operations and the Senior Vice President, Safety & Environment grant the exception based on a reviwe of estimated gray water production and management options. Where shoreside tratment facilities are accessible, eighter through local sewer or via barge, gray water may be landed for treatment.
We have focused attention in 1999 on minimizing discharge inside 12 nautical miles, Exceptions from the gray water discharge policy were grante for itineraries in the Baltic Sea and Alaska, for certain parts of the Royal Journeys, and for one ships on a specific Caribbean itinerary. However, the ships have limited their gray water discharges, even with these exemptions. For example, the Viking Serenade had considered an exemption for its California/Mexico itinerary, but was able to modify the ship's route near the California Channel Islands to allow for sufficient time to discharge outside 12 nautical miles. On its Royal journey, the Legend of hte seas has managed its gray water so that it has not discharged inside 12 nautical miles, even though exemptions from the discharge policy have been granted. Finally, in a proactive move, the Nordic Empress noted that by delaying its discharge of gray water for less than one hour, it could discharge more than 12 nautical miles from the Bermuda reef,an environmental benefit for the reef.
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