Royal Caribbean honored by NAMEPA

“It is an honor to be recognized by NAMEPA for our commitment to protect, conserve and support the environment,” said Michele Nadeem, VP Global Corporate Communications, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., in accepting the 2011 Marine Environment Protection Award of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association on behalf of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (which includes Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.

Left to Right: Rob Lorigan, OSG; RADM James Watson; Michele Nadeem RCCL, Clay Maitland, NAMEPA; Gene Seroka, APL USA (photo: Chris Preovolus)

The NAMEPA Marine Environment Protection Award is given in recognition of an individual or organization’s efforts on behalf of preserving the marine environment as exemplified by a commitment to a program which has specific objectives set for environmental performance and improvement, and which is innovative and goes beyond minimum environmental compliance. Eligible candidates include members of the commercial maritime industry, government agencies, and individuals and submissions are judged by the organization’s Board of Directors against the criteria behind the award.

Comments from the judges included “RCCL’s efforts to educate their passengers through their comprehensive program “Save the Waves” program deserves special attention”, “Save the Waves program is changing “Hearts and Minds”…and preserving the marine environment for future generations to enjoy”; “RCCL’s robust fuel consumption reduction and waste recycling programs have yield excellent results in reduced in GHG and shoreside disposal”; “RCCL’s commitment and efforts in protecting the environment clearly follow the ABCs…Above Basic Compliance.”

The first NAMEPA Marine Environment Protection Award was presented three years ago posthumously to the founder of the MEPA movement, George P. Livanos who created HELMEPA over 30 years ago due to his interest and concern for the marine environment. In 2009, the NAMEPA Award was presented to the United States Coast Guard and last year to liner company APL.

The NAMEPA Award Dinner followed an afternoon seminar “Environmental Intelligence in Maritime: Corporate Risk Management”, featuring Vasant Nair of Eagle Shipping, RADM James Watson, Director of Prevention Policy for the United States Coast Guard; Stacey Mitchell, Director of Environmental Crimes, Department of Justice; Dr. Steve Coan, CEO and President Sea Research Foundation, Clay Maitland, Founding Chairman of NAMEPA. The afternoon concluded with a Senior Leadership Roundtable including Morten Arntzen of Overseas Shipholding Group, Gene Seroka of APL, Joe Hughes President of the American Club and Michele Nadeem of Royal Caribbean, and John Lycouris of Eagle Ocean.

The North American Marine Environment Protection Association was officially launched in 2007. NAMEPA is a maritime industry led initiative which engages businesses, government and the public to “Save our Seas” by promoting sound environmental practices and welcomes members who share this mission.

November 18, 2011