Cruise Ships Are Legally Allowed to Dump Billions of Gallons of Raw Sewage in the Ocean

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Taking a cruise can be a fun vacation (at least when there isn’t a pandemic). But where you’ll find lots of people, you’ll find lots of waste. That includes vast quantities of raw sewage. So, where does it all go? Do cruise ships dump feces into the ocean? And do pleasure boats also dump poop? Let’s take a look.

Yes, cruise ships can dump sewage into the ocean

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship sails up the Hudson River in New York City | Gary Hershorn/Getty Images

It is perfectly legal for cruise ships to dump treated sewage in the ocean as long as they are three miles offshore. If dumping untreated sewage, the ship must be located at least 12 miles offshore, moving not less than four knots, and using an approved discharge rate. Alaska has additional regulations for dumping near its waterways.

That totals to more than a billion gallons of sewage dumped into the open ocean each year, Gizmodo reports. That’s 10 backyard swimming pools’ worth of sewage each week from a 3,000-person cruise ship producing 150,000 weekly gallons of sewage, Friends of the Earth adds. In addition to human waste, sewage includes water from laundry and dry cleaning, sinks and showers, spas and medical sites, and photo labs.

Dumping is allowed by the International Maritime Organization, which recognizes that raw sewage in the ocean “can create a health hazard.” And according to Oceana, cruise ships don’t need to have permits to dump and don’t need to report the amount of sewage they dump.

Ships can hold their sewage until returning to shore. They have “marine sanitation farms,” which treat the water part of the waste so it can be released into the ocean, Popular Science reports. Solid waste is held in storage tanks with aerobic bacteria, which begins digesting it while waiting for the return to port.

Environmental impacts of cruise ships

Sewage from cruise ships includes not only human waste but also bacteria, viruses, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, nutrients, and hazardous waste. Many ships use outdated sewage treatment facilities that can’t adequately filter toxins out of the sewage before it’s dumped, Gizmodo says.

Most of the pollution in the ocean does come from land sources, such as sewers and treatment plants, but sewage from ships adds to the problem of oxygen depletion and pollution on beaches. People who visit the beach or eat seafood can get sick if exposed to water or seafood contaminated by sewage. The extra nitrogen and phosphorus from sewage allow for algal blooms and lead to oxygen depletion. These conditions can suffocate manatees, coral reefs, shellfish, and fish.

Sewage isn’t the only pollution that cruise ships produce. They also often operate diesel engines to generate electrical power, even when docked. The emissions produced are harmful to human health and the environment. Friends of the Earth points out that an average cruise ship at sea creates more soot in one day than a million cars. Some ships are now able to plug into onshore power to receive electricity in port.

Toilets on independent boats

The regulations apply to only ships on international voyages that have 400 gross tonnage or more and carry more than 15 people. Smaller boats often navigate closer to shore, so regulations keep untreated human feces out of rivers, lakes, and “no-discharge areas.”

Boats with toilets are regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard using standards from the Environmental Protection Agency. Any boat with a toilet should also have a waste-treating device (MSD) and/or a holding tank, the Boat U.S. Foundation says. The different system types mean there are differences in dumping allowed from private boats. Certain systems are allowed to dump more than three miles offshore. The United States doesn’t have federal regulations around gray water that comes from sinks and showers, but some states and areas in Canada do.

Cruising has declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, but people considering signing up for a cruise should consider the environmental impacts of taking this sort of vacation. Each time you flush on a cruise, think about how that finds its way into the ocean.

RELATED: Steve Jobs Owned a $138 Million Yacht

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Wisconsin Is the ‘Drunkest’ State in the U.S., but It Doesn’t Have the Most Drunk Drivers

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Alcohol and DUIs play a huge role in car accidents nationwide. Nevertheless, there are some states where alcohol consumption and drunk driving are bigger problems than others. Surprisingly, the “drunkest” state, Wisconsin, isn’t actually the state with the largest number of drunk drivers. That dubious distinction goes to another state in the Midwest. 

Wisconsin has the most excessive drinkers

MADD volunteer Janet Priewe of Wisconsin holds up photos of drunk driving victims | Michael Smith/Newsmakers

A study by 24/7 Tempo reveals that Wisconsin has the highest share of adults who report excessive drinking. 24.2% of Wisconsin adults surveyed reported drinking excessively. That number is significantly above the national average of 19%.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines excessive drinking for men as having at least five drinks in one sitting or 15 drinks per week. For women, those numbers are four and eight, respectively.

The Wisconsin metro area with the highest rate of excessive drinking is Madison, at 27.8%, The Center Square reports. Meanwhile, the drunkest county is Pierce, where 28.6% of adults fall into the category of excessive drinkers. 

Perhaps it’s not surprising that so many of Wisconsin’s residents imbibe large amounts of alcohol. After all, with Wisconsin being the home of the Miller Brewing Company and many other breweries, drinking is a part of the state culture.

But North Dakota has the most DUIs

Although Wisconsinites may do a lot of drinking, residents of other states are likelier to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Number one on the list of states with the most DUIs is North Dakota, Insurify reports.

The rate of drunk driving in North Dakota is more than twice the national average. 5.17% of drivers in the Peace Garden State have a DUI on their record, while the national average is only 2.27%.

But it’s not really surprising that drunk driving is so prevalent in the state, given that nearly a quarter of residents are excessive drinkers. With these facts, it’s not surprising that alcohol-related accidents are common in the state. Indeed, although it sounds hard to believe, more than 43% of traffic fatalities in North Dakota involve drunk driving. 

North Dakota’s lax penalties for drunk driving also don’t help matters. With a maximum fine of only $750 for a first-time offense, the state comes in well below average in terms of fines levied on impaired motorists. Compare that with Oregon, where drunk driving fines can reach $6,250, and you can see why drunk driving is hard to stamp out in the Peace Garden State. 

Midwesterners are big drinkers overall

Though North Dakota and Wisconsin top the list of excessive drinking, several Midwestern neighbors are not far behind. Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Illinois round out the top six states on the list of places where excessive drinking is prevalent. 

The list of states with the most DUIs is just slightly more varied. Wyoming comes in at number two, while South Dakota ranks third and Wisconsin fourth. Alaska comes in at number five. Given that other states in the top 10 include Minnesota, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, and Iowa, it seems that living in remote cold-weather locales can drive some folks to imbibe more than they should before getting behind the wheel.  

Drunk driving has devastated many lives. More than 10,000 people in the United States die yearly in drinking-related accidents. The more that states can do to deter excessive drinking and drunk driving, the safer our roads will be for all. 

RELATED: These 10 States Get the Most DUIs in America

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Why is This Old Driveway Displayed In London’s Natural History Museum?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s called the most famous driveway in Britain. Situated in Gloucestershire town of Winchcombe, it was the site of a meteorite striking Earth. It was the first time a space rock had hit the UK and then was recovered in over 30 years. And though the carbonaceous chondrite meteorite was whisked away to be studied, where it hit made the driveway somewhat famous. 

The Wilcox driveway was left with a crater that attracted space fans

Hannah Wilcock, Rob Wilcock, and Cathyrn Wilcock discovered The Winchcombe meteorite | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

People clamored to see the mini-crater created when the meteorite hit. Since hitting the tarmac six months ago the spot has been covered to keep it out of bad weather. A car has also been parked over it to aid in that protection.

Scientists took the meteorite soon after hitting the driveway. They are looking for clues to how the solar system was formed over 4.6 billion years ago. With the main attraction gone, everyone thought that the throngs of curious space enthusiasts would end. But it didn’t.

London Natural History Museum wanted the piece of driveway where the meteorite hit

Meteorite that hit the driveway
The Winchcombe meteorite sits on display at the Natural History Museum on May 13, 2021, in London, England | Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

So the London Natural History Museum, which displays the Meteorite, thought it a good idea to display the section of the asphalt driveway where it hit. Workers used concrete cutters to cut out a large section that is being readied for display. 

Homeowner Rob Wilcock told the BBC, “I’m pleased in a way that it’s going but I’m also a bit nostalgic because we’ve got used to it being there. It’s something that’s changed our lives and brought us into contact with a lot of really interesting people. And, of course, it really has put Winchcombe on the map. It’s one of the most significant things that has ever happened in this town.”

The property owners will commemorate the site with a plaque

The meteorite that landed on the Wilcock driveway
The meteorite that landed on the Wilcock driveway | Getty

With the driveway section gone, the Wilcock’s will mount a plaque identifying where it hit. They’re also planning on conducting tours to show space fans the other areas where the Meteorite broke up and landed. The tour will end at their property. People will be able to take selfies next to the plaque. 

The London Natural History Museum has not yet announced when the piece of the driveway will be on display. We’re sure it will be a big attraction.

RELATED: NYC’s First-Ever Flash Flood Emergency Devastates Vehicles

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What Is the Best Full-Size EV?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As the EV market grows and more automakers start producing EVs, choosing which EV is the best is difficult. Previously, Tesla was just about the only option for EVs and dominated the market. However, most major automakers, including Ford, Stellantis, and GM, now have all-electric or hybrid engine models. Even luxury brands such as Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche have gotten into the mix. So, if you are looking for a full-size EV and are not sure which brand to go with, here are the top two full-size EVs available for 2021.

The popularity of EVs continues to grow

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S with Gradient Package | Volkswagen of America, Inc. Newspress Limited

In 2000, Toyota released the first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle, the Prius, which, two decades later, is still one of the most popular hybrids on the market. In 2006, a small start-up named Tesla Motors announced it would produce a luxury electric sports car with a range of over 200 miles. Since then, EVs have exponentially increased in popularity. In fact, even though overall car sales plummeted during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, EV sales have actually dramatically increased. That’s not just for Tesla, as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Chevy Bolt EV have also seen record sales.  

The best full-size EV is the 2021 Porsche Taycan

Porsche models sure aren’t cheap, and the Taycan’s range of 227 miles can’t compare to the runner-up EV. Even so, the quality of the build and the incredible driving dynamics make the Porsche Taycan the best full-size EV on the market right now. On the base Taycan, a rear-axle motor uses a new two-speed automatic transmission. In addition to the standard power, you get a temporary overboost power level if the launch control is engaged. The standard 79.2 kWh battery puts out 321 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque, and in overboost mode, that jumps up to 402 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque.

Furthermore, if you decide to go with the Taycan Turbo S, the 460 kWh battery puts out 616 horsepower. Engage launch control, and the battery power increases to 560 kWh and puts out an incredible 750 horsepower and 774 lb-ft of torque. As for its reported 0-60 mph speed, the Taycan is set at 2.4 seconds. While the EPA estimated range of 192 miles is nowhere near Tesla, the range should be more than sufficient for most people unless you are taking long road trips.

Even though the Porsche Taycan might be outside of most people’s budget at first glance, EV incentives and other discounts available might warrant a deeper look and could make a Porsche a feasible purchase. Tesla is currently at the top of that heap if having a large range is important to you. However, Tesla should watch out because if Porsche can produce a longer-range battery, Tesla might be left in the EV dust. 

The second best full-size EV is the Tesla Model S

According to RoadShow and its list of the best electric cars for 2021, the Model S is not the best full-size EV out there, but it comes in a close second. There is no question that the Model S is the top car in terms of range, with an estimated range of over 400 miles on a single charge. However, its platform is aging and has well-known quality control issues. It is comfortable and powerful, with dual AC electric motors putting out a combined 670 horsepower and a reported 0-60 mph speed of 3.1 seconds. Still, the driving dynamics fall short of being the best for full-size EVs.

RELATED: Grab a New Porsche for up to $7,500 Off

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