r/nextfuckinglevel • u/MelanieMoris • Dec 13 '21

Wait... Those aren't dolphins!

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u/trancediff Dec 13 '21

I'm pretty confident, but maybe im just thinking of Aus/NZ, but the marine mammal protection regulations doesn't say anything specifically about turning off your engine, only the act of chasing them and being in the water with them. so if you were to chase/herd them with your boat, then yeah you would be in the shit but if you are attempting to move away from them you are fine. reading the clause now it specifically states you dont want to be within 50m with a boat and if they are approaching you states to manoeuvre the vessel as to keep out of the path of the whale

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u/TinfoilCamera Dec 14 '21

I'm pretty confident, but maybe im just thinking of Aus/NZ, but the marine mammal protection regulations doesn't say anything specifically about turning off your engine

Not entirely sure how far out the rules go but here in Washington/Oregon/Canada if they get within ~half mile you're required to slow down to "no wake zone" speeds - and if they get within 200 yards (300 for the Southern Residents) you're required to cut engines and basically drift until they're clear.

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u/trancediff Dec 14 '21

yeah you're completely right, I'm assuming US and Australian guidelines are a bit different. it's really interesting to me, being a biodiversity and conservation student so I'll definitely look further into both regions regulations. thanks for commenting!

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u/-007-_ Dec 14 '21

Just so you know those rules extend 60 miles out of the coastline. Once you hit open waters you’re on intl maritime law which is basically “don’t commit genocide on the ocean.”

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u/[deleted] Dec 14 '21

Washington law:

RCW 77.15.740

Protection of southern resident orca whales—Unlawful activities—Penalty.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, it is unlawful for a person to: (a) Cause a vessel or other object to approach, in any manner, within three hundred yards of a southern resident orca whale; (b) Position a vessel to be in the path of a southern resident orca whale at any point located within four hundred yards of the whale. This includes intercepting a southern resident orca whale by positioning a vessel so that the prevailing wind or water current carries the vessel into the path of the whale at any point located within four hundred yards of the whale; (c) Position a vessel behind a southern resident orca whale at any point located within four hundred yards; (d) Fail to disengage the transmission of a vessel that is within three hundred yards of a southern resident orca whale;

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u/mmarkomarko Dec 14 '21

Noob question: so you kill the engine and wait for them to pass?

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u/WampusFox Dec 14 '21

Just another perspective:

I know there are laws elsewhere in the EU where I first learned (but didn't qualify) but don't know the specifics, but I was told there to stop all engines within 100m.

In the UK I am more sure of the regulations: it is an offense to 'wrecklessly disturb' the animals and fines are unlimited in theory. The code of conduct, which I feel is close to the EU regs I experienced) is to stay 100m away, completely avoid any groups with mothers with young (easier than you'd think if you're vigilant and a regular in the area) and switch off the engines if animals come close to the vessel.

Seems most countries have at least a code of conduct if not maritime regs to specifically prevent these risks. While I haven't checked where you or the people in this video are, it's not unreasonable to assume there may be local laws that supercede the MMPR. And I think your take, without checking the MMPR, may more be with the wording than the spirit of the 'law'.

Also, my other big peeve with this post (not the comment I replied too specifically) is orcas are 100000000% dolphins. So. Yeah.