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Serious Speed Restrictions in December

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by rocdiver, Oct 15, 2008.

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  1. rocdiver, Oct 15, 2008
    #1
    rocdiver

    rocdiver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2006
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    Location:
    Ft Lauderdale, Florida
    The new rule requires vessels to travel at ten knots or less during the seasons whales are expected to be present, in designated areas along the East Coast.

    In the mid-Atlantic area, the 10-knot speed restrictions will extend out to 20 nautical miles around major ports. NOAA’s Fisheries Service researchers report that approximately 83 percent of right whale sightings in the mid-Atlantic were within 20 nautical miles of shore.

    The rule also establishes temporary voluntary speed limits in other areas when an aggregation of three or more right whales is confirmed.

    It will be up for renewal in five years, after scientists assess its effectiveness. The rule will go into effect in early December, 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

    http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/fr/fr73-60173.pdf

    Here is a pdf map of the areas . .
    noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/shipstrike/map_sma.pdf

    The poor folks around Boston and the Cape really have it rough . . .

    EDIT: Here is the press release http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/shipstrike/finalrule_pressrelease.pdf
  2. yachtbrokerguy, Oct 19, 2008
    #2
    yachtbrokerguy

    yachtbrokerguy Guest

    "NOAA’s Fisheries Service researchers report that approximately 83 percent of right whale sightings in the mid-Atlantic were within 20 nautical miles of shore."

    That might have something to do with 83 percent of boats that report sightings do not go beyond twenty miles offshore.

    I was captain of a whale watch boat out of Boston back in the early 90's. We would speed out to Stellwagon Bank with hundreds of tourists on board. They got to see the whales on a four hour boat ride. Now it will take a day for tourists to get there and back, it will be bad for business for the whale watch companies.

    There is a trade off, some doubtful protection for whales against good publicity for the cause of whale protection, by having thousands of people being able to see them easliy.

    A little note about RIGHT WHALES- they got that name because they normally were found close to shore, and when killed, they would float, not sink. Thus they were the "right" (correct) whale to hunt, especially by smaller boats, and were hunted to almost extinction.