US Places Speed Restrictions to Protect Whales

Vessel speed restrictions have been set in hopes of helping to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales by reducing the likelihood of collisions between ships and marine life, GAC reports.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Delaware Bay has advised mariners of the speed restrictions which are regulated by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Specifically for vessels entering the Delaware Bay, the restriction applies from November 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016 in the following location: within a 20-NM (37 km) radius (as measured seaward from COLREGS lines) of the center point of the entrance to the Delaware Bay (Ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington): 38 deg. 52'27.4″ N–075°01'32.1″ W.