10 Knot Speed Limit Offshore until April 30


There is a 10-knot speed limit in effect in designated areas along the eastern U.S. seaboard for all vessels, commercial and recreational above 65’ (20 m). This is because North Atlantic right whales are an endangered species and there are fewer than 400 of them left. 85% of the right whales have been sighted in the designated areas (we wonder why), so mariners are asked to keep a sharp eye out elsewhere along the coast as well. There are restrictions in Massachusetts and Florida as well and to see those areas, and to read more about the situation please make the jump.


Speed Limits
From Nov. 1 to April 30 boats with in 20 nautical miles of the U.S. East Coast designated areas are limited to 10 knots.

Reducing Ship Strikes of Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales

October 2008

  • The North Atlantic right whale population contains between 300 and 400 individuals, making it one of the most critically endangered whale species in the world. Collisions by ships are the main threat to the population. Existing conservation measures have not been sufficient to reduce right whale deaths and serious injuries associated with ship strikes. The threat is ongoing.
Speed Limits
Nov. 15 to April 15 you are limited to 10 knots in the above area if your vessel is over 65”
  • NOAA Fisheries has issued new regulations to reduce the likelihood of ship collisions with right whales.
  • The regulations implement speed restrictions of 10 knots or less for certain vessels (65 ft or greater) in certain times and areas (e.g., key port entrances) along the U.S. Atlantic seaboard that correspond to right whale occurrence. Exempted from the rule are State enforcement vessels and U.S. government vessels that will be expected to adhere to guidance provided under ESA Section 7 consultations. The rule also contains a provision exempting vessels from speed restrictions in poor sea and weather conditions, thereby ensuring safe vessel maneuverability under those special conditions.
  • This final rule provides for establishment of temporary, voluntary “dynamic management areas” (DMAs) in times and/or areas where the seasonal management measures are not in effect, and where whales occur. In these locations, mariners would have the option to cross through the DMA at a speed no greater than 10 knots or route around the area.
  • The regulations will be in effect five years after implementation. During this time, NOAA will be conducting additional research on whale distribution and the effectiveness of the rule.
  • NOAA publicly released a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) (available at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike) that identifies and assesses alternatives to the regulations. The FEIS includes analysis of environmental and economic impacts of the action.
Speed Limits
Check the map above for restricted speed areas from Jan. 1 to July 15.

Additional steps taken by the U.S. government to reduce the likelihood of ship strikes include:

  • a reconfiguration of the Traffic Separation Scheme servicing Boston, MA, that would result in an estimated 58% reduction in the risk of ship strikes to right whales in that area;
  • issuing vessel speed advisories of 10 knots and other precautionary information to vessels in specific locations where right whales are seen;
  • establishing recommended shipping routes at port entrances in key calving areas off Florida and Georgia and aggregation areas in Cape Cod Bay;
  • operating Mandatory Ship Reporting systems that provide right whale sighting information to mariners; and
  • proposing to the International Maritime Organization the creation of an Area To Be Avoided in important right whale waters off New England.

For background information, visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike/ or http://www.nero.noaa.gov/shipstrike/.