Monthly Reporting

A VSR zone is a Vessel Speed Reduction zone. It’s an area where ships are asked to reduce their speed while transiting through the zone during the VSR season timeframe. While requirements can vary by region, the California VSR zone requests that vessels greater than 300 gross tons reduce their speed to 10 knots or less.

Monthly reports are provided to companies enrolled in the program and measure the rate of participation within the VSR zones.

Monthly reports are generated from the Whale Safe tool, which is a product of the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory.

Whale Safe is a technology-powered mapping and analysis tool displaying near real-time whale and ship data designed to prevent fatal ship collisions with endangered whales. It also summarizes AIS data to determine which vessels and companies best abide by voluntary speed recommendations that are implemented by NOAA to protect endangered whales along the California coast.

If you have questions or concerns about your monthly reports, please feel free to reach out to

Jess Morten jessica.morten@noaa.gov

or

Danielle Alvarez dalvarez@californiamsf.org