Initial tests on seawater scrubber 'encouraging'

January 1, 1970

Don Habeger of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, left, talked about the Alaska cruise industry in Skagway. With Habeger are Carlin "Buckwheat" Donahue of the Skagway Convention and Visitors Bureau, right, and Skagway Mayor Tom Cochran. The presentation at the Arctic Brotherhood Hall is part of a statewide outreach to increase awareness of the industry's economic benefits and improve community relationships.

Initial results from the trial of a Krystallon seawater scrubber on Holland America Line's Zaandam confirm a significant reduction in both sulphur dioxide emissions and particulate matter, report the two companies.

The Emissions Research and Testing Division of Environment Canada tested the scrubber during a Vancouver-Alaska cruise in September. Even though the system was not fully operational, Environment Canada found that the scrubber reduced sulphur dioxide emissions by 75 percent and particulate matter by 57 percent. "Despite the fact that these tests were carried out before the scrubber was fully commissioned, we are very encouraged by these initial results," said Dan Grausz, Holland's supervisor of fleet operations.