Reader Input: Container Ships anchoring off of Ft. Lauderdale Beach
I received an E-mail from a reader today that expresses his concern for the environment. With all of the talk about being 'green' to save the earth from global warming and overall pollution, this letter may be of interest to everyone living near a major port. I read that there was a major oil spill in Russia today due to a strong storm and it was pretty bad...so this letter is very timely. We all need to think about our environment and also our resources here in South Florida.
Neil sent this letter in to the Sun Sentinel (our local newspaper) and also the National Cost Guard. Thank you Neal for taking the time to bring attention to a possible issue that could impact so many people and wildlife.
By no means is there any oil or other chemical leak now, but it reminds us that unless we are aware of the issues, we could be unprepared.
"...I am a San Francisco Bay resident who has moved to Ft. Lauderdale Beach. For years I wondered why Floridians made all the fuss over the prospect of oil platforms dotting the horizon when there are always 20-30 large freighters anchored a few hundred yards off of Ft. Lauderdale Beach. They are much closer to the beach then oil platforms would be and do not generate any revenue for the County.
...Last week a 810 foot container ship similar to those anchored off of Ft. Lauderdale Beach collided with the Golden Gate Bridge spilling 58,000 barrels of oil into the pristine San Francisco Bay. Now try to imagine what the economic damage would be to Ft. Lauderdale’s economy if one of these container ships (or 58,000 gallons of fuel oil) is driven aground on Ft. Lauderdale Beach by a sudden storm, collision or engine malfunction.
The tourist economy of San Francisco is not dependent on their beaches. The economy of Ft. Lauderdale would take years to recover if the beaches were drenched in thick diesel oil of the kind San Francisco is now struggling with.
My wife and I walk along A1A along Ft. Lauderdale beach every day from Sunrise Blvd. to Las Olas Blvd. and we have wondered why no one has complained about these container ships polluting the visual environment if not yet the physical environment.
...San Francisco has an active environmental movement that would never tolerate what Ft. Lauderdale does. Maybe it is time Ft. Lauderdale goes green before our beaches turn black? Is this entirely up to the Coast Guard? Where is the Department of Environment Protection? The Army Corps of Engineers? Who controls our environmental treasure in Ft. Lauderdale. "
Neil sent this letter in to the Sun Sentinel (our local newspaper) and also the National Cost Guard. Thank you Neal for taking the time to bring attention to a possible issue that could impact so many people and wildlife.
By no means is there any oil or other chemical leak now, but it reminds us that unless we are aware of the issues, we could be unprepared.
"...I am a San Francisco Bay resident who has moved to Ft. Lauderdale Beach. For years I wondered why Floridians made all the fuss over the prospect of oil platforms dotting the horizon when there are always 20-30 large freighters anchored a few hundred yards off of Ft. Lauderdale Beach. They are much closer to the beach then oil platforms would be and do not generate any revenue for the County.
...Last week a 810 foot container ship similar to those anchored off of Ft. Lauderdale Beach collided with the Golden Gate Bridge spilling 58,000 barrels of oil into the pristine San Francisco Bay. Now try to imagine what the economic damage would be to Ft. Lauderdale’s economy if one of these container ships (or 58,000 gallons of fuel oil) is driven aground on Ft. Lauderdale Beach by a sudden storm, collision or engine malfunction.
The tourist economy of San Francisco is not dependent on their beaches. The economy of Ft. Lauderdale would take years to recover if the beaches were drenched in thick diesel oil of the kind San Francisco is now struggling with.
My wife and I walk along A1A along Ft. Lauderdale beach every day from Sunrise Blvd. to Las Olas Blvd. and we have wondered why no one has complained about these container ships polluting the visual environment if not yet the physical environment.
...San Francisco has an active environmental movement that would never tolerate what Ft. Lauderdale does. Maybe it is time Ft. Lauderdale goes green before our beaches turn black? Is this entirely up to the Coast Guard? Where is the Department of Environment Protection? The Army Corps of Engineers? Who controls our environmental treasure in Ft. Lauderdale. "
A couple of notes. For one, do your research, they have recently changed the anchorage off Fort Lauderdale Beach to help save our coral reefs that were being destroyed by ships running aground.
Also, ships HAVE run aground on fort lauderdale beach, the "Mercedes" anyone? It was parked completely out of the water. And now it's a beautiful artifical reef in 100 feet of water.
So what is your solution? Maybe we should just close down the port?
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It's important to remember how you got to Fort Lauderdale or how anyone gets anywhere. Perhaps we should all cave in mentally and live inside a jar. That way no one will hurt us (sucking thumb).
Port Everglades is a MAJOR source of revenue for Broward County. If those who zipped their pants up on the right whatever your gender is, all had their way, nobody would visit the area due to all of the hotels, retail etc. shutting down.
You said it best, its all just a bunch talk. So the next time you're going for a walk and taking in the scenic views wherever you are, here's something different... just soak it in and enjoy it and have some appreciation for all of the men and women who have busted their backs so we can enjoy the surroundings - gee now there's a thought?
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