3298

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

A House Joint Resolution concerning

Vessels at the Chesapeake Bay Annapolis Anchorage

FOR the purpose of requesting the appointment of a task
force to study a study of the impact of vessels at the
Chesapeake Bay Annapolis Anchorage on water quality and
the surrounding jurisdictions.

WHEREAS, The number of vessels anchored at the
Chesapeake Bay Annapolis Anchorage, waiting to enter the
Port of Baltimore, has greatly increased as has their length
of stay; and

WHEREAS, The number of vessels is likely to increase as
will their length of stay at the Anchorage; and

WHEREAS, There have been reports that some of the
vessels have discharged raw sewage and bilge water
containing petrochemicals into the Chesapeake Bay; and

WHEREAS, The number of vessels and the increased
lengths of stay increase the potential for collision between
the ships themselves and between the ships and the Bay
Bridges; and

WHEREAS, There are several productive oyster bars in
the vicinity of the Anchorage that would be threatened by
discharges from the vessels; and

WHEREAS, The City of Annapolis is used as a place for
securing provisions and recreation by the seamen; and

WHEREAS, There are inadequate facilities in Annapolis
to meet the needs of a large number of foreign seamen,
unable to speak English and with limited transportation to
and from their ships, causing problems for both the City of
Annapolis and the seamen; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Legislative Policy Committee is urged to appoint a task
force to study a study be conducted of the impact of vessels
at the Chesapeake Bay Annapolis Anchorage on water quality
and the surrounding jurisdictions, specifically addressing
and making recommendations concerning:

(1)  Whether bilge water, containing
petrochemicals, and sewage discharges are occurring from the
vessels and the impact on the water quality of the
Chesapeake Bay;

(2)  The adequacy of present State and federal
enforcement efforts with regard to illegal discharges from
the vessels;

(3)  The possibility of the ships colliding with
each other or the Bay Bridges while at Anchorage;