The Belfast City Council unanimously passed an ordinance on Tuesday limiting the size of cruise ships that can allow passengers to disembark at city-owned facilities. The new rules would prevent vessels certified to carry 50 or more passengers from boarding or disembarking passengers at the City Landing or other city-owned marine facilities. This decision comes as other coastal towns like Bar Harbor are also restricting cruise ship traffic, with Bar Harbor recently rejecting a proposal to increase passenger numbers. The Belfast council questioned why the limit was set at 50 passengers, with concerns raised about whether the count included workers on the vessel. Harbor Master Kathy Given clarified that the number 49 is typically used for Coast Guard licensing and refers only to passengers, with crew and extended crew not counted in the limit. The new ordinance is seen as a way to manage cruise ship traffic in Belfast and preserve the city’s charm and resources. The council hopes that by setting this limit, they can strike a balance between tourism and environmental concerns. The decision was met with support from environmental groups and residents who have expressed concerns about the impact of large cruise ships on the area.
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