2008 REED’s East Coast Edition - Rules & Regulations
these high concentration periods that most as the North Atlantic right whale). One sys-
manatee deaths occur. tem, located in the northeastern U.S., is iden-
The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act has tified as WHALESNORTH. The other system
been established to regulate motorboat is located in the southeast and is identified as
speeds and operations in critical areas of WHALESSOUTH.
manatee concentration between Novem- Geographical boundaries of the north-
ber 15 and March 31. Regulated zones are eastern area include the waters of Cape
marked by large reflective signs. In these Cod Bay, Massachusetts Bay, and the Great
zones boat operators must reduce their South Channel east and southeast of Mas-
speed to slow or idle and no person shall sachusetts. The coordinates (NAD 83) of the
intentionally or negligently annoy, molest, area are as follows: from a point on Cape
harass, disturb, collide with, injure or harm Ann, Massachusetts at 42°39’N, 70°37’W;
manatees. then northeast to 42°45’N, 70°13’W; then
Regulated zones are in the St. Johns River at southeast to 42°10’N, 68°31’W; then south
the confluence with Blue Springs Run; in the to 41°00’N, 68°31’W; then west to 41°00’N,
Caloosahatchee River from San Carlos Bay to 69°17’W; then northwest to 42°05’N,
the Edison Memorial Bridge (U.S. 41); in the 70°02’W; then west to 42°04’N, 70°10’W;
Orange River and at its confluence with Ca- and then along the Massachusetts shoreline
loosahatchee River; in Turkey Creek off In- of Cape Cod Bay and Massachusetts Bay
dian River; in the Indian River from St. Lucie back to the point on Cape Ann at 42°39’N,
Inlet to Jupiter Inlet; in the vicinity of power 70°37’W. The mandatory ship reporting sys-
plants at Delespine, Frontenac, Vero Beach tem in the northeastern United States oper-
and Fort Pierce; in Lake Worth in the vicinity ates year-round.
of the power plant at Rivera Beach; the entire Geographical boundaries of the southeastern
Port Everglades turning basin west of the line area include coastal waters within about 25
between Light 11 and Light 12; and south nautical miles along a 90-nautical mile stretch
along the Intracoastal Waterway through and of the Atlantic seaboard in Florida and Geor-
including the Dania Cut-off Canal. gia. The area coordinates (NAD 83) extend
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has es- from the shoreline east to longitude 80°51.6’W,
tablished regulated zones within the Merritt with the southern and northern boundaries at
Island National Wildlife Refuge to protect the latitude 30°00’N and 31°27’N, respectively. The
large number of manatees that occupy these mandatory ship reporting system in the south-
waters from April through mid-November. eastern United States operates annually from
“Idle speed” and/or “slow speed/minimum November 15 through April 16.
wake” areas are in Haulover Canal, Bairs Each ship of 300 gross tons or greater must
Cove on the southeast side of Haulover Ca- participate in the reporting systems, except
nal; Banana Creek at the north end of Mer- government ships that are exempted from
ritt Island; and in the channel and basin at reporting by regulation V/8-1(c) of SOLAS.
the Kennedy Athletic and Recreation Society However, exempt ships are encouraged to
marina on the west side of Banana River 1.5 participate in the reporting systems. Partici-
miles north of Canaveral Barge Canal. The pating ships must report to the U.S. Coast
area on the east side of Banana River imme- Guard upon entering the area. Additional re-
diately south of the NASA Parkway is closed ports are not necessary for movements made
to all motorized craft from April 1 through within a system or for ships exiting a system.
November 14 annually. The regulated zones Critical Habitats: NOAA’s National Ma-
are well marked by signs that indicate the rine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected
speed limit. Maps delineating the regulated Resources, has advised that the endangered
zones are available from the Merritt Island right whale (the entire population may now
National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 6504, Ti- number less than 300) inhabits areas along
tusville, FL 32780. the Eastern Seaboard. In the Northeast, right
Right Whales Mandatory Ship Reporting whales inhabit areas within the Ambrose and
System: There are two mandatory ship re- Boston Harbor traffic lanes in the spring and
porting systems for the protection of the en- summer. NOAA has designated Cape Cod
dangered northern right whale (also known Bay and the region east of Cape Cod as Criti-
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