Proposed Speed Limit for Boats Would Protect Whales

In a continued effort to protect the highly-endangered North Atlantic right whale population, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has proposed a speed limit for boats traveling through the marine mammals' known feeding areas.

Because the whales feed close to the surface in areas with high marine traffic, the risk of fatal collisions with ships is ever-present. The proposed restrictions would prohibit vessels 65-feet or greater from traveling at speeds in excess of 10 knots in certain areas at certain times (the Northeast in the summer, the Southeast in the winter).

While the speed limit wouldn't affect most cruisers, those sailing larger, speedier boats may want to monitor the progress of NOAA's proposal.

For more information about the proposal, click here .