BARTLETT COVE, ALASKA - Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Superintendent Philip Hooge announced today the lifting of the 13-knot vessel speed limit at the entrance to the East Arm and around Sturgess Island. Recent surveys indicate that humpback whale concentrations have shifted away from the area. At the entrance to the West Arm, a new whale waters area establishing a speed limit of 13 knots through the water for all vessels was announced to protect numerous humpback whales that have been feeding regularly in this area. The 20-knot speed limit and 1 nm from shore or mid-channel course restriction remain in place in Lower Bay Whale Waters. These updated operating requirements are effective from 5 AM Wednesday August 7th until further notice.
As shown on the attached map, in these temporary whale waters all vessels are required to travel at a speed no greater than 13 knots through the water. The new West Arm Temporary Whale Waters consists of a polygon defined by the following corners:
* The points defining the mouth of Geikie Inlet
* The northern tip of Drake Island
* Tlingit Point
* The points defining the mouth of Tidal Inlet
* The points defining mouth of Blue Mouse Cove, including the waters in Blue Mouse Cove, &
* The points defining the mouth of Hugh Miller Inlet
Vessels should proceed cautiously in all areas where whales may be present because whales may surface in unexpected locations, posing a hazard to both the vessel and the whale.
Speed and course restrictions in whale waters are intended to reduce the disruption of feeding humpback whales and to lower the risk of whale/vessel collisions, as authorized by Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart N, 13.1174. Boaters are advised to verify whale waters designations prior to entering Glacier Bay by telephoning (907) 697-2627 or by contacting KWM20 Bartlett Cove on marine VHF radio.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
