Category: Health & Safety

Image Courtesy of AP Photo/Joseph Kaczmarek

Philly to Dim Lights to Protect Bird in Flight

3/15/2021 - By Shawn Marsh / AP. The lights of Philadelphia might not shine as bright in the coming weeks as a coalition in the City of Brotherly Love tries to prevent millions of migrating birds that pass through twice a year from slamming into skyscrapers and crashing to the sidewalk. Bird… SEE MORE

Coast Guard Announces New Law Requiring Use of Engine Cut-off Switches

3/10/2021 - Operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length will be required to use an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) and associated ECOS link (ECOSL) as of April 1, 2021, as the U.S. Coast Guard implements a law passed by Congress. The ECOS and ECOSL prevent runaway vessels and the… SEE MORE

New Slow Zone off Virginia to Protect Right Whales

3/5/2021 - On March 3, 2021, an observer on board the HDR Naval research vessel observed the presence of right whales east of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Virginia Beach Slow Zone is in effect through March 18, 2021. Mariners are requested to route around this area or transit through it at 10 knots or less. Slow Zone Coordinates: East of… SEE MORE

https://www.noaa.gov/stories/5-striking-facts-versus-myths-about-lightning-you-should-know

Alaska Thunderstorms May Triple with Climate Change

3/4/2021 - By David Hosansky. Warming temperatures will potentially alter the climate in Alaska so profoundly later this century that the number of thunderstorms will triple, increasing the risks of widespread flash flooding, landslides, and lightning-induced wildfires, new research finds. In a pair of new papers, a research team led by scientists… SEE MORE

Storm paths from 2017's hurricane season - Wikipedia

NOAA Considers Moving the Start of Hurricane Season to Mid-May

3/1/2021 - By Ric Kearbey. The Atlantic hurricane season typically begins on June 1, but it may now start even earlier because we simply see more pre-season storms than in years past. The National Hurricane Center has announced plans to begin issuing routine tropical weather outlooks starting May 15, and the World… SEE MORE

Red Tide Update for February 24, 2021

2/24/2021 - Current Conditions The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida. K. brevis was detected in 21 samples collected over the past week. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in three samples from Lee County. Recent satellite imagery (2/23; NOAA, USF) indicates the presence of chlorophyll patches along and offshore of Lee, Collier, and Monroe… SEE MORE

https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov

Grab a ‘VIP’ Pass to NOAA’s Virtual Open House

2/24/2021 - Each week, NOAA will tour a different facility through a live webinar and meet the staff that bring NOAA’s mission to life. Guides will highlight a few cool spots around campus and answer your questions in real time. A U.S. map plotted with the dates and locations of 2021 NOAA… SEE MORE

News from Our Coasts: February 2021

2/19/2021 - NEWS & UPDATES FOR FEBRUARY Updates from US Harbors News & Virtual Events from Our Partners Updates from Our Coastal Business Community Photos of the Month Updates from US Harbors Just in time for Whale Week, a new species of Baleen Whale was discovered in the Gulf of Mexico.… SEE MORE

Commercial Fishing Boats Dock in Woods Hole, MA

New Rule Requires Commercial Fishermen to Mask at all Times

2/12/2021 - By Jessica Hathaway. The U.S. Coast Guard has interpreted a CDC guideline intended to protect the public as well as transportation workers to include commercial fishing vessels. The language of the Marine Safety Bulletin issued on Feb. 1 requires the wearing of masks at all times in U.S. waters on all commercial… SEE MORE

Florida Red Tide Update – Feb 10th, 2021

2/10/2021 - Current Conditions The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida. Over the past week, K. brevis was detected in 30 samples. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in one Lee County sample. Recent satellite imagery (2/9; NOAA, USF) indicates the presence of patches of chlorophyll along and offshore of Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties. Additional… SEE MORE