Yesterday Key West voters approved three referendums to limit cruise ship traffic on the island. Those three referendums were:
- Limit the number of daily cruise ship visitors to 1,500.
- Prohibit cruise ships with 1,300 passengers or more from docking.
- Give docking priority to cruise lines that have the best health and environmental records.
All three passed with over 60% of the vote. The referendums are binding, meaning they will change the city’s charter. However, a legal battle is already in play.
Pier B Development, which operates one of the three ports in Key West, has sued the city and the Committee for Safer, Cleaner Ships. The lawsuit began back in July. Pier B wanted the questions to be removed from the ballot but it’s claims we’re denied. A trial date will be set sometime after the election.
For now, cruise lines will be limited in Key West. Stay tuned for more information.