New Onboard Tech Could Keep Right Whales Safe Without Slowing Down Cruising Season

A group called the WAVS Taskforce is developing a system that pairs risk-terrain modeling with NMEA-based onboard alerts to flag North Atlantic right whale activity for boats underway. The idea is to give captains real-time, chart-integrated warnings of whale presence rather than relying on broad, fixed speed restrictions along the coast. For owners running the Atlantic seaboard, that could mean instruments doing the work current rules ask of throttle position. It's a step toward conservation built into the helm rather than imposed on the itinerary.

With reporting from Yachting.