Cruise Line Settles Toxic Dumping Case

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has agreed to pay Alaska $3.5 million for dumping toxic chemicals and oil-contaminated water into the state’s waters. The company also agreed not to discharge waste water within three miles of Alaska’s coastline. The settlement announced by Alaska Atty. Gen. Bruce Botelho is in addition to $6.5 million in federal fines the cruise line agreed to pay last year after it admitted dumping chemicals, including dry-cleaning fluid. The money will be used for spill prevention and response and for monitoring ship emissions.