PHOTO COURTESY PHENOM YACHTSU.S. representatives Bill Posey (R-Fla.) and Mike Collins (R-Ga.) voiced concerns during a House hearing about NOAA’s proposed speed restrictions along the Atlantic coast.
The hearing followed the American Boating Congress in Washington, D.C., where the primary focus was on the proposed expansion of speed limits intended to protect North Atlantic Right Whales from vessels strikes and the impact it would have on boating industry.
The representatives’ districts are in areas where the proposed rule would limit boats 35 feet and larger to 10 knots for up to seven months of the year. In some places, the speed limit would extend 90 miles offshore.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association said in a statement that Posey and Collins raised their concerns during a House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee hearing. They directed questions and concerns to NOAA administrator Richard Spinrad over the lack of stakeholder engagement in its North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule.
Click here for Posey’s line of questioning during the hearing.
NMMA encourages boating and fishing stakeholders to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill, in district offices and at the local level by contacting lawmakers to discuss the impacts of the proposed rule.
