Ocean Ranger Access Survey Results for July 08

Ocean Ranger 2008 Summary Report (pdf 6MB)

2008 Sample Daily Reports Submitted by Ocean Rangers

2009 Ocean Ranger Checklist Rev D

Background: In 2006, Alaska voters passed Ballot Measure 2 creating an Ocean Ranger program in the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) which became law on December 17, 2006.  Alaska is the first and only state to require U.S. Coast Guard licensed marine engineers on board vessels to act as independent observers monitoring State environmental and marine discharge requirements. Ocean Rangers also check that passengers and crew are protected from improper sanitation, health, and safety practices.  This program is managed by the Commercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance Program, which was created in 2001 to monitor cruise ships in Alaskan waters.

What is an Ocean Ranger?: Ocean Rangers are Coast Guard certified marine engineers or a person who holds a degree in marine safety and environmental protection from an accredited maritime educational institution. Ocean Rangers will use a checklist to monitor compliance with state and federal requirements pertaining to marine discharge and pollution.

How do I find hiring information?: Ocean Ranger Hiring Information Page

Which Cruise Ships will Ocean Rangers be on?: All large (overnight) cruise ships that have berths for over 250 passengers. Alaska Marine Highway Vessels do not fall under the Ocean Rangers Program, but do fall under DEC's registration and sampling program for small cruise ships. DEC is attempting to provide as much full voyage coverage as possible given logistical and financial limits. Out of 515 large ship voyages, Ocean Rangers are scheduled to ride 469 voyages (91%). In-port inspections will be used to provide coverage when an Ocean Ranger is not riding on a full voyage (8% of voyages). There are a few voyages with no inspections, these are not covered due to logistic or costs (for example- Seward to Asia with a stop in Dutch Harbor.) These voyages make up less than 1 % of the total number of voyages.

Where does the program funding come from?: Ballot Measure 2 included a $4 per passenger Ocean Ranger fee for large cruise ships spending over 72 hours in Alaskan waters. Revenues of this fee are estimated to be approximately $4 million a year.

What other ways does DEC have to monitor cruise ships?: In addition to the Ocean Ranger program, DEC has existing registration and sampling programs. DEC works with the Coast Guard to regularly sample wastewater from cruise ships and ferries. Results of these programs are found at http://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/cruise_ships/reports.htm. DEC also monitors visible air emissions from cruise ships. More information on the air program is available at the DEC web site. http://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/cruise_ships/cruise_air.htm
Ballot Measure 2 also requires large cruise ships to report vessel tracking data to DEC. This allows DEC to use radio and satellite positional reports to verify the course and location of large cruise ships.

Where can I get more information?: Visit the Commercial Passenger Vessel Environmental Compliance Program web page at http://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/cruise_ships/index.htm, or call DEC’s Cruise Ship Program Manager Denise Koch at 907-465-5312 or email at denise.koch@alaska.gov.

Alaska Cruise Ship regulations can be found at:
http://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/cruise_ships/Law and Regs/lawregs.htm