Abstract
Vessel strikes are a well-documented threat to marine mammals with the likelihood and severity of impact highly variable among species. Studies suggest that vessel strikes pose a greater risk to baleen whales than other marine species due to their large size, slower maneuverability, and larger proportion of time spent at the surface (Nowacek et al. 2001; Parks et al. 2012; Cusano et al. 2018; NOAA Fisheries 2020). As a result, vessel strike is among the leading sources of known human-caused mortalities for large whales. Vessel strike has also been identified as a potential source of mortality to sea turtles and sturgeon in this region. In the case of sturgeon, vessel strikes have primarily been documented within river systems and estuaries. Evidence from stranded sea turtles indicates that 15% to over 50% of mortalities may result from vessel strikes, depending on the species and region (NMFS GARFO 2023). It is unclear whether vessel strikes of sea turtles and sturgeon are more often from commercial vessels or smaller personal watercraft that tend to operate in shallower nearshore waters at higher speeds.
Revolution Wind (the Project) will implement this vessel strike avoidance plan for all Project vessels (including direct contract and sub-contracted) operating in the Project Area (Specified Geographic Area as defined in the LOA including to/from all regional ports in these states [MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, VA, and MD]) to reduce the risk to the maximum extent possible of vessel strikes and the potential of death and/or serious injury to Protected Species. This Plan is submitted pursuant to Condition 5.4.7 of the Approval of the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for the Project, the Revolution Wind Incidental Take Rule [88 FR 72562] issued by the NMFS-Office of Projected Resources (OPR) on 20 October 2023, as well as the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 Consultation Biological Opinion issued by NMFS Greater Atlantic Fisheries Office – Protected Resources Division (NMFS GARFO-PRD) on 21 July 2023. A copy of the Letter of Authorization (LOA) must be in possession of all vessel operators per LOA condition 3(a)(1). This Vessel Strike Avoidance Plan is to cover construction and operations and maintenance (O&M), but may be revisited or updated at any time to further evaluate improved technologies to align with current regulation standards. Additionally, a supplemental Vessel Strike Avoidance Plan will be provided at a later date to cover measures specific to vessel traffic during the decommissioning phase of the Project.
Revolution Wind will comply with the measures outlined in this Plan, unless an emergency situation presents a threat to health, safety, or life of a person or when a vessel, actively engaged in emergency rescue or response duties, including vessel-in-distress or environmental crisis response, requires speeds in excess of 10 knots to fulfill those responsibilities. Mitigation measures outlined within this Plan will be implemented during all Project vessel transits. A copy of this Plan will be made available on all Project vessels. Officers on watch will be briefed to ensure they understand the measures described in this Plan. The Officer on watch (vessel Captain or bridge officer currently in control of the vessel) will comply with the vessel strike avoidance measures, except under extraordinary circumstances when complying with these requirements would put the safety of the vessel or crew at risk or when a vessel is unable to maneuver and, due to the inability to maneuver, the vessel cannot comply. All instances where such an exemption is taken will be reported to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Protected Resources (OPR), NMFS GARFO – PRD, Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM), and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) within 24 hours.
In addition, the Project will continue to support external initiatives to further mitigate marine traffic impacts. For example, Revolution Wind staff will attend conferences in which they will maintain awareness and lessons learned and participate in workshops where the main focus is on the development of tools to reduce vessel strike risk.