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Hornblower "Green" Harbor Tours Debut on San Diego Bay

Wednesday, 15 July 2009

Passengers from Canada, Texas and Iowa were on board Hornblower’s vessel Adventure Hornblower today for the inaugural “Green Tour” of San Diego Bay.

The one-hour tour, offered eight times a day, highlights environmental projects of Hornblower Cruises & Events, the Port of San Diego and the San Diego Port Tenants Association.

“The tours support the Port of San Diego’s efforts as environmental stewards of San Diego Bay,” said Port Commissioner Scott Peters at the kick-off press event held onboard the vessel. “The bay tours educate visitors as well as local residents about environmental projects to protect the Bay.”

After departing from the North Embarcadero, passengers were told that the Port’s new cruise ship terminal, slated for construction on the Broadway Pier, will be a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design-certified building. The national certification means it is designed to use less water, less energy and produce fewer pollutants.

As the tour boat passed the neighboring B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal, it was announced that the Port is working to install equipment at this pier, as well as at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, that will allow cruise and cargo vessels to plug into shore power while docked. This eliminates the need to run diesel engines, reducing emissions and creating cleaner air.

While cruising past Harbor Island, it was noted that the Sheraton Hotel is the first hotel in the country to be fully powered by fuel cell technology.

Touting environmental efforts as well as promoting top attractions on the tours are part of Hornblower’s company-wide Respect Our Planet program, a series of initiatives designed to reduce the company’s environmental impact and to educate the public.

The company is participating in a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-funded, Port of San Diego study of copper-free paints to minimize the impact of toxic hull paints in the bay. Hornblower is also offering more sustainable food and beverages on its cruises, choosing recyclable and biodegradable service items, and using bio-fuels whenever possible.

The San Diego Natural History Museum and the San Diego Oceans Foundation assisted Hornblower with the new tour script and onboard displays.

“This was quite enjoyable,” said Jessica Weyant of Iowa as the tour concluded and Adventure Hornblower pulled back into the dock. “I found out more than I thought I would,” she said.