6,000 gallons of wastewater spilled from cruise ship in Port Canaveral

Thousands of gallons of wastewater gushed into the water at Port Canaveral on Thursday from a cruise ship.Before it was all over, more than 6,000 gallons were spilled.The cruise ship Carnival Elation reported the spill immediately to the U.S. Coast Guard and Brevard County Sheriff's Office.Twenty-two metric tons of gray water were spilled, according to the Sheriff's Office. Gray water is wastewater from things such as bathing, laundry and kitchen facilities. It is not considered sewage.From overhead, little or no change could be seen in the water around the ship.A Port Canaveral spokesman said the majority of the spill is not considered a threat to the environment.The Coast Guard and the state Department of Environmental Protection are investigating.A statement from the cruise line said the gray water from plumbing and shower systems was accidentally released when the ship was offloading ballast water.The ship is cleared to leave on its scheduled cruise this evening.Authorities have not said whether the cruise line faces any fines.A port spokesman said no cleanup is necessary.

Thousands of gallons of wastewater gushed into the water at Port Canaveral on Thursday from a cruise ship.

Before it was all over, more than 6,000 gallons were spilled.


The cruise ship Carnival Elation reported the spill immediately to the U.S. Coast Guard and Brevard County Sheriff's Office.

Twenty-two metric tons of gray water were spilled, according to the Sheriff's Office. Gray water is wastewater from things such as bathing, laundry and kitchen facilities. It is not considered sewage.

From overhead, little or no change could be seen in the water around the ship.

A Port Canaveral spokesman said the majority of the spill is not considered a threat to the environment.

The Coast Guard and the state Department of Environmental Protection are investigating.A statement from the cruise line said the gray water from plumbing and shower systems was accidentally released when the ship was offloading ballast water.

The ship is cleared to leave on its scheduled cruise this evening.Authorities have not said whether the cruise line faces any fines.

A port spokesman said no cleanup is necessary.