WASHINGTON, DC — New shipping lanes and port routes designed to protect three national marine sanctuaries along the central California coast were announced last week by the United Nations' International Maritime Organization, according to the Environmental News Network (www.enn.com)
Large ships have been routed further offshore, improving the protection of Monterey Bay, the Gulf of the Farallones, and the Channel Islands. Approximately 4,000 ships travel the coast annually carrying huge amounts of fuel and hazardous material. Some previously passed within 2.5 nm of Monterey Bay. "These vessel-routing initiatives will enhance the safety of navigation along the California coast by increasing order and predictability for vessel traffic patterns," said Rodney Slater, US Secretary of Transportation. "This will reduce the already low risk of collision of vessels navigating in and around the marine sanctuaries."
The new plan will route large vessels in north-south tracks 13-to-20 nm from shore between Big Sur and the San Mateo coastline. Ships carrying hazardous materials such as refined petroleum, chemicals, and munitions will follow north-south tracks between 25 and 30 nm from shore. Tankers will be required to stay at least 50 nm offshore. The new lanes are still close enough to the coast to allow rescue tugs to reach vessels in distress. The rerouting also extends separation lanes for traffic in the western end of the Santa Barbara Channel and modifies the southernmost approach into San Francisco Bay farther offshore to reduce the risk of grounding.