NO, it’s not an April Fool’s joke in the middle of May, but thanks to PlanetInAction (via gearthblog), this amazing FREE Ship Simulator game lets you take the helm of several kinds of ships, including:

1. an airship,
2. a fuel ship,
3. a container ship, and
4. the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship!

What’s really amazing is the realism and visual & sound effects, which are based on Google Earth’s new visualization platform. It looks like the Charleston cruise ship business we’re hearing may move to Mt. Pleasant is now one step closer – something that would fit in great for Shem Creek Park patrons (if the water were deep enough of course) – people could just hang out in the park against the ocean and jump on their cruise ship to wherever when it leaves!   Read more...

NOAA research ship determines maritime shipping makes a hefty contribution to harmful air pollution
Credit: NOAA

Earlier today we learned of Charleston Port Authority’s moves to clean up their act with respect to the environment, and now we are getting feedback from earlier reported studies conducted by NOAA from their research ship Ronald H. Brown – two maritime air pollution stories in one day, go figure!

“Since more than 70% of shipping traffic takes place within 250 miles of the coastline, this is a significant health concern for coastal communities,” said study lead-author Daniel Lack, a researcher at NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory.   Read more...

Truck emissions are a big problem for air quality.
Credit: Pledge for Growth

The SPA’s Pledge for Growth program is finally moving forward with the goal of improving air quality, saving fuel costs, and reducing emissions that was brought up here last year.

Some air management steps the SPA is taking include:

1. switching to cleaner fuels by using ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) – three years ahead of federal mandate. On-site partners switching to ULSD K – with an increased kerosene content – will cut air emission levels from affected equipment by 10% 2 – 4 years ahead of the federal mandate.
2. The SPA has just recently replaced four diesel-electric container cranes with all-electric models and has retired older equipment.
  Read more...

The SPA’s water management
skills will help the
environment considerably.
Credit: Pledge for Growth

The SPA’s Pledge for Growth program is finally moving forward with the goal of improving air quality, saving fuel costs, and reducing emissions across their domain.

Some water management steps the SPA is taking include:

1. The SPA is donating up to $1 million for a five-year agreement with Wildlife Trust to protect the Northern right whale.
2. The Port is contributing $1 million to restore and enhance more than five acres of self-sustaining oyster reefs in and around Charleston Harbor. This project is being coordinated through SCDNR’s South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement Program (SCORE).
  Read more...