NAV 44/3/1
ANNEX 1
PROPOSAL FOR ADOPTION OF MANDATORY SHIP
REPORTING SYSTEMS
1 Objectives
The establishment of two mandatory ship
reporting systems, one off the northeastern coast and one off
the southeastern coast of the United States, would provide
important protection for endangered large whale species, in
particular the critically endangered northern right whale.
Ship strikes are the species' largest known source of
human-related mortality. Since 1991, approximately 50% of the
recorded right whale mortalities have been attributed to ship
strikes.
Communication between shore-based authorities
and ships in these areas would reduce the risk of collision
damage to ships and the whales as well as provide beneficial
information to ships.
The mandatory ship reporting system in the
southeastern United States would operate from 15 November to
15 April. This period includes the calving season for right
whales in this area. The system in the northeastern United
States would operate throughout the year as right whales have
been sighted in this area in all months of the year.
2 Categories of ships
All ships of 300 gross tons or greater would
be required to participate in the reporting systems, except
sovereign immune vessels which are exempt from reporting by
regulation V/8-1(c).
3 Hydrographical and meteorological elements,
characteristics of ship traffic, and any environmental
aspects of the area
.1 Hydrographical and meteorological elements
.1
Northeastern United States. The hydrographical and
meteorological elements existing in the area create
conditions favorable to production of right whale
food sources and therefore contribute to the presence
of right whales in the area. These elements can also
adversely affect the ability of mariners to detect
whales.
The proposed mandatory ship reporting system
covers an area of high ship traffic density and
variable weather. The northern part of the system
encompasses the approaches to Boston Harbor (the
largest seaport in New England), Massachusetts Bay,
and Cape Cod Bay. The area is extensively marked with
aids to navigation, and Loran C and differential
Global Positioning System (GPS) provide excellent
coverage. The weather In the area is changeable, with
frequent thick fog and strong and variable tides.
The southern part of the ship reporting system is
approximately 30 miles southeast of Nantucket Island,
Massachusetts, just east of the Nantucket Shoals Area
to Be Avoided, and encompasses the western half of
the Great South Channel, part of the Boston Harbor
Traffc Separation Scheme (TSS) north to Race Point,
Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The Great South Channel is
bounded to the west by Cape Cod and the Nantucket
shoals and to the east by the Georges Bank fishing
grounds. Loran C and differential GPS provide
excellent coverage. The Boston Harbor TSS is marked
by buoys every 15 nm. Fishing is heavy to the east of
the TSS. Radar navigation is poor due to the low
topography and distances from land. There are few
calm days. During certain seasons, and in particular
during peak whale season, the weather is usually
foggy. Moreover, it is foggy when the sea is calm and
when it is clear, the sea is often rough. Also, there
is a considerable amount of hazy weather which limits
visibility. Heavy storms and rain are common.
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