Injunction could halt new cruise ship rules in Bar Harbor
BAR HARBOR — Waterfront businesses in Bar Harbor have filed an injunction as part of their federal lawsuit against the new daily limit on cruise ship passengers allowed into town.
In November, Bar Harbor voters approved a limit of 1,000 incoming passengers per day to the popular tourist destination.
The lawsuit states 2,000 to 4,500 passengers normally disembark daily during the cruise ship season.
FishMaine Restaurant Group co-owner Kristi Bond says the limit would be devastating to businesses that rely on the town’s strong tourism industry.
“It will start with we’ll probably have to close earlier, and open later. We’ll probably have to employ less people. The list goes on. If I’m employing less people, there are less people in town spending money. The trickle-down is real,” Bond said.
Bond says the businesses have filed for an injunction, with the hopes of putting these new rules on hold while the lawsuit plays out.
“The purpose of that is to keep everything the status quo while the judge is going through and trying to determine his decision. Hopefully the cruise ships next year can stay as scheduled,” Bond said. “We’re hopeful the judge will understand that it’s going to cause immediate irreparable harm if all these ships don’t come next summer.”
Bond says the business owners were shocked and disheartened by the vote by Bar Harbor residents, who say they are fed up with congestion during the busy months.
As of Thursday, the judge has yet to make a decision on the motion for an injunction.
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