Officials block effort to bring larger cruise ships to Key West

[CruiseNews]

An effort to widen the shipping channel in Key West, Fla., to allow for larger cruise ships was dealt a setback this past week, according to local news outlets.

The Florida Keys Keynoter reports the Key West City Commission voted 6-1 against funding a study of the feasibility of such a widening, despite support from Key West's City Manager, the Key West Chamber of Commerce and the cruise industry.

The Keynoter says public opinion is against the idea.

"I think for now it's over and done with," Key West Mayor Craig Cates told the news outlet. "Hopefully (the city manager) got the message ... the commission doesn't want it, and the public doesn't want it."

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The study was expected to cost more than $5 million and the widening project itself was estimated to have a pricetag of $36 million, the Keynoter says. The dredging required for the widening project would be in violation of legislation that established the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the news outlet adds.

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