Cruise ship restrictions are back on the ballot in Bar Harbor, Maine. Two years ago, the town’s residents voted to limit the number of boat passengers who could come ashore.
A majority voted to limit the number of passengers to 1,000 passengers per day.
Bar Harbor vessel restrictions back on ballot
Now, Bar Harbor will vote on the issue again in November. This time, a yes vote could overturn the 2022 decree. bar harbor town council has proposed a new system it believes will better balance the needs of residents and cruise tourism-reliant businesses.
The proposed new licensing system would cap cruise ships’ daily capacity at 3,200 passengers, but would also require monthly and seasonal limits. For example, during the peak cruise season from May to August, the monthly limit is 20,000 people. It also called for the embargo to be designated for several days.
read: Bar Harbor passenger restrictions partially waived for 2024 cruise season
“Part of it is having the tools that we really need to manage visits going forward,” said Town Council President Valerie Peacock. “Our approach is to have a daily passenger cap of 3,200 but also includes monthly caps, annual and seasonal caps and contractual rest days.”
Peacock added: “This does give the town full control over future visitor numbers, boat numbers and passenger numbers, but the town council and people have to work together to do that.”
Mixed reaction to new cruise ship restrictions proposal
this new ballot question Residents have mixed opinions. Charles Sidman, who pushed for the original cruise ship passenger cap to be on the 2022 ballot, said the new option could disempower residents.
“This town is packed with cruise ship tourists, who are tourists like everyone else, but it’s too short a time and too many people,” Sidman said.
Town officials say the current system is too rigid to enforce effectively, leading to numerous legal challenges.
