Why Is There a Cruise Ship Anchored in Puget Sound?

By Anna Duncan

For the past few weeks, a large cruise ship has been anchored in Puget Sound off the coast of Seattle. The sight has caused confusion and even worry among locals, with some asking why a cruise ship of all things is parked in the middle of the Pacific Northwest. The answer lies in a combination of pandemic-related cruise industry issues and environmental regulations.

The cruise industry has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cruise lines are not allowed to operate at full capacity, which means fewer passengers and lower revenues.

This has resulted in many cruise ships being left idle for extended periods of time. In order to minimize costs, many companies have made the decision to anchor their idle ships in less expensive locations.

The Pacific Northwest is an attractive location for cruise ships to anchor due to its relatively calm waters and abundance of natural beauty. It also helps that local governments have generally been welcoming towards ships anchoring off their coasts.

In addition, new federal regulations have been implemented requiring cruise ships to reduce their emissions while at sea or when stationary. These regulations mean that it makes more sense for companies to keep their ships anchored than to continuously move them around in order to comply with environmental standards.

Ultimately, there are a number of factors that explain why there is a cruise ship anchored in Puget Sound. The industry’s struggles due to the pandemic, combined with environmental regulations and attractive local conditions, make it an ideal location for companies looking for an inexpensive place to park their idle vessels.

Conclusion: The presence of a cruise ship anchored in Puget Sound can be attributed primarily to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry coupled with newly implemented environmental regulations. Locals may also take comfort knowing that they are helping by providing an affordable place for companies to keep their vessels while they remain idle.