Thank you Editor for the detailed response. I did find specific statistics after a little searching on the NOAA site (2017–2023 North Atlantic Right Whale Unusual Mortality Event). Two things seem clear: 1. regulations and efforts to reduce mortalities since 2017 are working, particularly in regard to vessel strikes, 2. entanglement continues to be the major cause of serious injury, not vessel strikes. Seems like we should focus on fishing gear modifications. Also, note that fishing line makes up a large proportion of the plastics polluting the oceans today. Maybe greater efforts in that area could solve two problems at the same time. Thank you also for the response on the dangerous high speed behavior. Sounds like, short of regulating speed in certain areas on the ICWW, we need to fend for and police for ourselves. Having been thrown around as you have, I am not at all happy with the status quo.

Where could I look to find the data NOAA is using to propose the speed limit of 10 knots? Would be interesting to see for myself what the issues are before commenting to the legislators. Concerning speed restrictions...there are places on the ICWW that are very dangerous to other boaters due to large boats traveling at high speeds with no regard for their wake. What is being done about that?

Editor's Note: For the NOAA proposed restrictions, go to NOAA.gov and search the details there. Regarding the behavior of vessel operators on the ICW, or anywhere for that matter, if speed limits or No Wake zones are not in effect, then it's up to the vessel operators to recognize their actions. And, as many of us know, there are some who simply do not care about others. I've been rolled and tossed about many times by either ignorant or outright uncaring skippers. The only recourse is that all vessel operators are responsible for damages caused by their wakes. Making that stick is difficult. I usually write down the name of the offending boat and keep a record. Sometimes the large sportfisher boats that are usually the culprits are not skippered by the owner. If you get the vessel name, you can report it to the USCG for dangerous operation, and then follow up with the owner if you can run him down. If he was the one at the helm, explain his discourteous actions in a kind way. He may be clueless. If he's a jerk, just write it off to "there will always be those kind of people." If the owner was not on board, he may follow up with his delivery person (not a captain, because that designation is reserved for those who act responsibly) and fire him. I've been rolled in everything from a 30-foot sail boat to a classic 60-foot yacht. The only way to make sure you're going to get through such a situation with minimal effect is to keep the decks and tables below clear and keep an eye out for the bozo who's creating mayhem so you can turn into the wake and ride it out.