From now through Jan. 12, commercial vessel operators entering the Puget Sound are being asked to reduce vessel speeds to help lower underwater noise impact to endangered Southern Resident killer whales as they migrate, it was announced Oct. 7.
The effort, Quiet Sound, is a collaboration with the Washington Maritime Blue nonprofit alliance to help reduce vessel noises that affect the whales’ ability to communicate and hunt in the area.
(There are 75 Southern Resident killer whales left in the Salish Sea and the whales’ presence in Admiralty Inlet was confirmed Oct. 5.)
For 22 nautical miles through Admiralty Inlet and north Puget Sound, Quiet Sound is asking container ships, vehicle carriers and cruise vessels to slow to 14.5 knots and general cargo, tankers and bulkers to move at 11 knots. This also includes a trial speed target of 10 knots for tugs not towing or pushing.
“We know that underwater noise from large vessels is one of the major factors threatening the recovery of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales,” Quiet Sound Program Director Rachel Aronson said.
“Last season, we saw the highest participation yet, which reduced underwater noise pollution by 50%,” she continued. “We hope to have an even bigger positive impact this season.”
The inaugural 2023-2024 Voluntary Commercial Vessel Slowdown showed a 50% reduction in underwater noise intensity in Washington waters, according to Washington Maritime Blue, with about 71% of 795 vessels moving through the slowdown zone lowering their speed and 59% of the movements hitting the proposed speed targets.
