Santa Barbara County prepares this year’s speed reduction incentive program

The Air Pollution Control District of Santa Barbara County is asking the owners/operators of container and roll-on/roll-off vessels to once again voluntarily reduce their speed in the Santa Barbara Channel along the California coast from mid-May through mid-November.

By slowing down to 10 knots or less, the numerous container ships and auto carriers reduce the number of fatal strikes with endangered whales, as well as decrease air pollution.

The results of last year’s incentivized program will be posted online later in May. More than 530 tons (480 metric tonnes) of smog-forming emissions were avoided in 2019 as a result of 15 shipping companies voluntarily slowing container and ro-ro vessels to protect blue whales and blue skies.

Sign-up forms, zone maps, as well as how to report whale sightings along with other program information can be found at https://www.ourair.org/air-pollution-marine-shipping/

Image from apcd Santa Barbara County