California Air Resources Board

Bahia Sternwheeler, Inc. Settles For $46,088

In July 2024, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) reached a settlement with Bahia Sternwheeler, Inc. (Bahia), with its principal location in San Diego, California, for the company’s violation of the Airborne Toxic Control Measure for Commercial Harborcraft (CHC Regulation), as codified in the California Code of Regulations, title 17, section 93118.5.

An investigation conducted by San Diego Air Quality Management District (San Diego AQMD) inspectors in conjunction with CARB staff showed that Bahia failed to meet the in-use emissions standards for the engines on the two vessels William D. Evans and Bahia Bell required by the CHC Regulation (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 17, § 93118.5.). To settle the case, Bahia agreed to the average penalty of $7,681 per CHC violation for a total of $46,088.

Bahia fully cooperated with CARB to resolve this matter. The penalty will be shared between San Diego AQMD and CARB. Of the total settlement, $23,044 will be deposited into CARB’s Air Pollution Control Fund, which provides funding for projects and research to improve California's air quality. The remaining $23,044 will be directed to the San Diego AQMD.

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