RMI Marine Safety Advisory No.9-13
The Republic of the Marshall Islands has issued Marine Safety Advisory N.9-13 regarding Voluntary Speed Restrictions in Effect as follows:
Please be advised that the NOAA’s (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) National Marine Fisheries Service has announced that a voluntary vessel speed restriction zone (Dynamic Management Area – DMA) has been established in the vicinity of Southern New Jersey to protect an aggregation of 5 right whales sighted in this area on 7 February 2013. This DMA is in effect immediately through 22 February 2013. Mariners are requested to route around these areas or transit through them at 10 knots or less.
Please note that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a news release stating that civil penalties assessed against three large commercial vessels for violating seasonal speed limits intended to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whales this last fall have been paid in full. Cases against six other vessels for the same offense are still open. Vessels of 65 feet or greater in length are restricted to speeds of ten knots or less in seasonal management areas along the East Coast. One vessel was charged with 16 counts of speeding. Each count carries a penalty of $5,750.
For more information, please click Marine Safety Advisory No9-13
Source: RMI