Transport Canada has issued $6,000 penalties to two vessels for alleged non-compliance with temporary mandatory slowdown rules in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Both Crown Princess and MV EM KEA have 30 days to pay the penalty or to request the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada to either review the violation or to lower the penalty amount, reported
Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide.
On August 11, 2017, Transport Canada implemented the temporary mandatory slowdown, which required vessels 20 meters or more to maintain a maximum speed of 10 knots. The agency created the restriction in response to the increased presence of whales in the gulf; the limited speeds are hoped to prevent whales from fatally colliding with ships.
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The rules apply to vessels travelling in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence, between the Quebec north shore and just north of Prince Edward Island.
“Our government is determined to promote the safe coexistence of ship traffic and the marine environment in the Gulf of St. Lawrence,” Transport Canada said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring that all vessels meet the temporary speed limit and we will continue to take all appropriate action to ensure the safety of the whales.”
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