SBCAN stands with Santa Barbara Channelkeeper in urging Santa Barbara to put limits on cruise ship visits and their impacts. The Santa Barbara City Council is expected to take final action on recommendations to reshape the City’s Cruise Ship Program at its April 9, 2024, meeting (City Hall, Council Chambers- 735 Anacapa Street). The Council meeting will begin at 2:00 PM and should be the most critical step in this 2-year public review.

It is imperative that our community participates. Please plan to attend in person! If you are unable to attend in person, written comments and participation via zoom are available to show your support. Read more about this initiative here. 

Remote Public Comment:

Members of the public wishing to speak must “raise their hand” in the Zoom platform by selecting the virtual hand icon when their item is called.  

Web Link: https://santabarbaraca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JJS2kazqRyu2i83tshCkPw  

Written Public Comment:

Public comments may be submitted via email with the subject line “April 9 City Council Meeting – Cruise Ship Program” to [email protected] prior to the beginning of the Council Meeting.  

Possible talking points to consider:  

- Prioritize ships that have strong environmental and public health records and restrict ships with poor records of environmental compliance. 

- Prioritize ships using advanced pollution prevention treatment technology.  

- Reduce and cap the annual number of cruise ships visiting Santa Barbara to no more than eighteen per year (which is the average annual number of cruise ships visiting Santa Barbara between 2010 and 2019).    

- Urge the City Council to adopt recommendations advanced by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and other community groups.