Ocean Planet Customized Tour: Page 19 of 21

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Alvin Levett and Marilyn Hamer-Levett

West Bloomfield, Michigan

A vacationing budget director and physician became advocates for ocean conservation when they videotaped crewmen dumping trash overboard in the Caribbean in 1991. Their tape and testimony led to a $500,000 fine against the cruise line for violating MARPOL (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships), and a $250,000 award to the Levetts for information that led to the penalty--a MARPOL provision intended to involve citizens in enforcement of this law.

"Why do ships have to throw this stuff in the ocean five hours from port? We want to let people know that there are laws, to not be discouraged by such needless and senseless acts."

Ocean Planet Exhibition Floorplan

gene carl feldman (gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov) (301) 286-9428
Judith Gradwohl, Smithsonian Institution (Curator/Ocean Planet)