Resource Management Issues: Vessel Traffic

Overview of the issue
There are approximately 4000 transits of the Sanctuary each year by large shipping vessels (greater than 300 gross tons), including container ships, bulk freighters, hazardous materials carries, and tankers. This vessel traffic within the Sanctuary was a major issue of concern raised during the designation process due to potential impacts from a large spill should one of these vessels ground along the coastline.

How is the Sanctuary involved?
In 1997, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) established a workgroup of key stakeholders in the issue, including representatives from federal, state and local governments, environmental groups and industry to review existing practices and risks, and recommend a package of strategies which would maximize protection of Sanctuary resources while allowing for the continuation of safe, efficient and environmentally sound transportation. The group’s recommendations included alteration of the Traffic Separation Scheme off San Francisco to move vessels away from the sensitive San Mateo shoreline. Most importantly, container ships, bulk freighters, and vessels carrying hazardous materials were moved approximately 10 miles further offshore to reduce the risk of groundings, and organized into north-south lanes to reduce the risk of collision. These recommendations were ultimately approved by the International Maritime Organization, and implementation began in 2000.

For complete details of the recommendations and routes, click here.