10-knot Campaign Gains Momentum

The boating and fishing community continues to elevate its message to federal lawmakers in our fight to halt the government’s proposed 10-knot restriction along the Eastern Seaboard. The rule, proposed by NOAA Fisheries, would call for a go-slow zone extending from Massachusetts to Florida for seven months annually and up to 100 miles offshore for boats 35 feet and larger. It would affect four of the five V Series center console models, including the V-37 (above), V-41, V-46 and V-55.

Three positive developments occurred last week – each a milestone and source of momentum in our campaign. Above: At a House National Resources subcommittee oversight hearing in Washington, D.C., three key witnesses from the affected industries made strong arguments against the dangerous and misguided speed limit. The most compelling testimony came from long-time New Jersey charterboat captain Fred Gamboa (shown above, seated on the far right of the panel).

Fred, who operates out of Point Pleasant, has been a longtime friend of Viking and an active participant in fisheries management issues. Viking was instrumental in making sure he had a seat at the table. “Boats over 35 feet would essentially be unusable for approximately seven months of the year,” Fred told the subcommittee. “I simply can’t cover the ground to access the targeted fisheries when limited to 10 knots. This would amount to the loss of no less than 70 trips with an estimated economic cost of $140,000.”

Fred not only emphasized the devastating economic effect of the rule, he also spoke about its privacy, public access and safety impacts. “Contrary to what NOAA may believe, I can operate my vessel most safely when it is traveling at speeds above 10 knots and on a plane,” Fred pointed out. “Line of sight and maneuverability are optimized when my boats are on a plane.”

“Fred played a major role in taking our message to another level and in gaining bipartisan support,” says Viking Director of Government Affairs and Sustainability John DePersenaire, who attended the three-hour hearing. Click here for Fred’s full statement.

Frank Hugelmeyer, the President of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, also made a huge impact: “Recreational boaters and anglers are longtime conservationists who share the goal of protecting the North Atlantic right whale and our ocean ecosystems. We’re committed to investing in technologies that do just that. Marine mammal protection, economic prosperity and access to our cherished waters can coexist. It’s a false choice to make Americans choose one over the other.”

Two other positive developments coincided with the hearing. A new bipartisan act from U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), above left, and John Boozman (R-AR), above right, was introduced; the bill aims to prohibit NOAA from issuing the 10-knot rule until technological solutions can help better track the whales and avoid strikes. “As Co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and as an avid sportsman myself, I know firsthand how important our fishing culture is to who we are, whether that’s on our trout streams in West Virginia or coastal fishing along the Eastern Seaboard,” said Senator Manchin. “I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Protecting Whales, Human Safety and the Economy Act of 2023.”

‘It’s a big win for us,” John DePersenaire said of the Manchin/Boozman legislation. The third positive development: NOAA has agreed to assign a liaison to the Whale and Vessel Safety Taskforce (WAVS). Viking initiated the formation of this panel of experts committed to finding technology-based solutions to track and protect marine mammals, particularly the right whale.

NOAA’s Jon Hare will join WAVS immediately. “He represents the groundwork for the public-private partnership between recreational boating and fishing and NOAA,” said John. “This is critical for our success.”

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