Friday, 5th February 2010
Slow Down for Whales
For information on the latest voluntary speed restrictions in place please click here.
20 November 2009: Slow Down for Whales
The ten knot speed restriction regulations for the North Atlantic Right Whale, an endangered species, are back in effect in the US Mid-Atlantic and US Southeast waters of the Atlantic Ocean. These rules were published in 2008 by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a department of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and are intended to reduce the threat of ship collisions with Right Whales.
Additionally there are mandatory reporting requirements for vessels when entering the designated Right Whale reporting areas on the US East Coast.
Click here to find out more about the mandatory ship reporting scheme.
28 October 2008: Slow Down for Whales
Blank Rome's Maritime Development Advisory No. 25 reports on a joint ruling by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to restrict the speed of vessels of 65ft or more in length to 10 knots when transiting three Seasonal Management Areas (SMA) in the coastal waters off the East Coast of the United States.
Intended to protect migrating right whales that are known to transit the major shipping corridors off the U.S. coast, periods of enforcement and geographical boundaries of the SMA are detailed in the Advisory.
With an effective enforcement date of December 8 for the South and Mid Atlantic SMA, owners and operators are being encouraged to factor these restrictions into voyage planning in a timely manner.
Click here for NOAA Compliance Guide
Click here for Maritime Development Advisory No. 25
