Right now there are speed restrictions for boats in a few areas on the east coast to ‘protect the Right Whales”. Restrictions are 10 knots max for boats over 65 ft in a few select areas.
The government use boats Automatic Identification System (AIS) to check speed and location for enforcement. AIS was created for safety. Used by ships and boats to see other ships speed,direction/location to avoid collusions. Now the gov use it for tracking and controlling citizens. (Same with the automobile Smart Tag) fines are enormous $10,000 or more.
Now the Feds want more.
• NOAA is proposing an expansion of significant speed restrictions along the Atlantic coast, from Massachusetts to central Florida, to protect the North Atlantic right whale.
• Broaden the current 10-knot speed restriction to include vessels 35 feet and above, down from 65 feet.
• Extend the speed restriction zones to cover virtually the entire Atlantic coast, as far as 90 miles from shore.
• Increase the duration of enforcement periods for up to 7 months.
Recreational boating and fishing is a $230 billion industry. 340,000 jobs.
These reg will kill the charter sport fishing industry. These boat fish the Gulf Stream. Which is 20 to 75 mils off the coast. The boats cruise at 40 60 knots to get out to the stream.
Commercial
Cargo ships that cruise at 15 to 20+ knots will now be restricted to 10 knots. Will take twice a long and burn tons more fuel. Shipping cost on goods will skyrocket.
The government has also put restrictions on boat travel along the Intracoastal waterway.
Governments are all about taking away freedoms. Freedom to travel is next in line.
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