The US National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing regulations to implement speed restrictions of 10 knots or less on vessels of 19.8 metres (65 feet) or greater in length in certain areas and at certain times of the year in the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean along the east coast of the United States.
The purpose of the proposed ship speed restrictions is to reduce the risk of collisions (ship strikes) with North Atlantic Right whales, an endangered species. The restrictions would apply to designated waters off the south east US during the period from November 15th through April 15th; to ocean waters within 30 miles of the ports of New York/New Jersey, Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, Morehead City/Beaufort, Wilmington, Georgetown, Charleston, Savannah and the waters of Block Island Sound during the period from November 1st through April 30th; and to designated waters off the north east US. The north east waters would consist of Cape Cod Bay (January 1st through May 15th), off Race Point (March 1st through April 30th), and the Great South Channel (April 1st through July 31st).
In addition, all ocean waters off the US east coast would be a dynamic management area (DMA) in which the NMFS could impose 15 nautical miles circles where the speed limit would apply. The DMA restrictions would apply when concentrations of right whales have been observed in that location. The regulations would not apply to foreign vessels engaged in innocent passage.
