New research informs safer passenger-only ferry operations in orca habitat
SEATTLE, Washington (January 13, 2026) – Quiet Sound, a collaborative program of Maritime Blue dedicated to reducing commercial vessel impacts on the endangered Southern Resident killer whales, publishes guidance for passenger-only ferries operating in whale critical habitat.
Nearly all of Puget Sound is designated as Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat. Underwater noise from commercial vessels impairs communication, and vessel presence alone reduces hunting efforts. Passenger-only ferries, which operate at speeds up to 30 knots, want to reduce the risk of striking a whale, as recently happened with a passenger-only ferry in British Columbia.
A constellation of car and passenger-only ferry routes currently connect Puget Sound counties. However, service disruptions and limited route capacity present access challenges for residents and obstacles for tourism-dependent businesses. As a result, there has been growing interest in increasing passenger-only ferry capacity in Washington. HB 1923, colloquially called the ‘Mosquito Fleet Bill’, would expand the number of transit agencies able to offer passenger-only ferry services. It was first introduced in the 2025 legislative session.
While increased passenger ferry routes could reduce road congestion and promote equitable access to ferry service, it could have negative impacts on the endangered orcas. In response, Quiet Sound conducted a rapid review of best practices for safe operation of these vessels in Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat. Interviews with current operators, including Kitsap Transit Fast Ferry, King County Water Taxi, and FRS Clipper Ferry, and a review of the scientific literature illuminated five key best practices:
Know the rules: Understand regulations and learn about local whale behavior.
Have a plan: Define and implement operational measures to reduce underwater noise impact and strike risk.
Be whale aware: Report whale sightings, improve whale detection capabilities, and receive whale alerts.
Assess your impact: Understand your fleet’s noise signature and relevant quieting measures (operational or technical).
Design for the future: Prioritize underwater radiated noise reduction in vessel design and retrofits.
Quiet Sound’s engagement found that current operators are well-informed about safe practices and eager to learn more.
“Many of our captains and crew came to the transit world from naturalist roles, and are well-trained in whale behavior. We appreciate programs like Quiet Sound working to ensure ferry operators have the tools they need to reduce vessel impacts on whales,” said Terry Federer, Marine Division Director at King County Metro Water Taxi.
Moreover, current operators can serve as a resource to guide future operators.
“Environmental stewardship is a key value of Kitsap Transit. As the region thinks about expanding ferry services, we’re happy to be a resource and partner in ensuring safe operation in whale habitat,” said John Clauson, Executive Director of Kitsap Transit.
Washington State Representative Greg Nance, author of the HB 1923 ‘Mosquito Fleet’ Bill, is collaborating with the Quiet Sound program to ensure that current, and future operators, are aware of these best practices and are supported in implementing them.
“Expanding passenger-only ferry service must go hand in hand with protecting Southern Resident killer whales,” said Rep. Greg Nance. “Quiet Sound’s science-based guidance gives current and future operators the tools they need to reduce risk, operate responsibly, and ensure that increased mobility does not come at the expense of orca recovery.”
Rep. Greg Nance intends to reintroduce the bill in the 2026 legislative session.
The best practices document is available on the Quiet Sound website. Quiet Sound’s coalition (including representation from: The Makah Tribe, Maritime Blue, Natural Resources Defense Council, NOAA, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, Northwest Seaport Alliance, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, Puget Sound Partnership, Seattle Aquarium, U.S. Coast Guard (advisors), Washington State Ferries) remains committed to serving as a resource for state agencies, conservation organizations, and passenger-only ferry operators seeking to expand their services in a whale-safe way.
Quiet Sound is an award-winning, non-regulatory coalition whose goal is to better understand and reduce the cumulative effects of acoustic and physical disturbance from large commercial vessels on Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) throughout their range in Washington state. Quiet Sound is a program of the nonprofit Maritime Blue, a strategic alliance dedicated to accelerating innovation in the Blue Economy.
About Maritime Blue
Maritime Blue is a strategic alliance propelling the Pacific Northwest toward global leadership in ocean-based innovation. We foster collaboration among industry, government, academia, communities, and investors to create sustainable maritime and ocean industries. We empower our region to thrive in the Blue Economy by accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship, centering equity, addressing climate change, restoring marine ecosystems, and building a diverse workforce. Learn more at www.maritimeblue.org. Stay up to date on Maritime Blue news on LinkedIn and join our Mailing List.
Photo: Members of L pod on November 30, 2024. Photo credit: Marla Smith via Orca Network.
The initiative aims to support endangered Southern Resident killer whale populations by reducing underwater noise from ships that negatively affects communication and hunting behaviors. The slowdown will begin on September 14, 2025 after the Southern Resident killer whales were confirmed in Admiralty Inlet on September 13. It will end on January 11, 2026. The 2024-2025 Voluntary Commercial Vessel Slowdown reduced underwater noise by 35% in the sound frequencies used by killer whales for communication. Southern Resident killer whales were present for the majority of the days the slowdown was in effect.
SEATTLE, Washington – September 13, 2025 – Quiet Sound, a collaborative program of Maritime Blue dedicated to reducing commercial vessel impacts on the endangered Southern Resident killer whales announces the official launch of its voluntary vessel slowdown season beginning today through early 2026.
The effort protects the remaining 74 Southern Resident killer whales. The start of the commercial vessel showdown was triggered as Southern Resident killer whales were reported in the waters off of Seattle on the morning of September 13. The slowdown remains in effect through January 11, 2026, key months for their migration.
Container vessels, vehicle carriers, and cruise ships are asked to voluntarily slow to 14.5 knots speed through water, while general cargo, tankers and bulkers are asked to slow to 11 knots in an area 22 nautical miles long through Admiralty Inlet and north Puget Sound (see map).
“Underwater noise from large vessels is one of the major factors threatening the recovery of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales.” said Rachel Aronson, Quiet Sound Program Director. “Our voluntary slowdown continues to be a safe and feasible action commercial vessels can take to immediately reduce their underwater noise.”
66% piloted transits reduced their speed when transiting to or from Seattle and Tacoma ports. This represents the largest absolute number of transits to reduce their speed (571) of any Quiet Sound slowdown.
56% of the transits achieved the proposed speed targets.
Median broadband sound levels were reduced by 12%, and noise intensity was reduced by 35% in frequencies used by killer whales to communicate.
Southern Resident killer whales were present in the slowdown area for at least 57 days of the 98-day slowdown, more than any slowdown season to date.
“In 2023, Quiet Sound began utilizing a dynamic start, in which the slowdown went into effect after the Southern Resident killer whales were confirmed in Puget Sound,” said Todd Hass, Special Assistant to the Director at Puget Sound Partnership and member of the Quiet Sound Leadership Committee. “In the 2024-25 season, the whales were present for over half the days the slowdown was in effect. This approach helps maximize a quieter environment when the endangered orcas are utilizing their Puget Sound habitat while minimizing impacts to maritime trade.”
The success of the 2025-26 slowdown will be measured through noise reduction estimation, data from mariners and AIS, and whale reporting from Orca Network.
“At MSC we are deeply committed to solutions that protect our planet and marine ecosystems, including voluntary vessel slowdown initiatives,” said Matthew Harris, Port Operations Manager with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). “We are proud to contribute to the successes achieved with Quiet Sound. Only through collective action can we address the world’s most complex conservation challenges and create both an immediate and lasting impact.”
MSC achieved a 94% participation rate in the Quiet Sound slowdown for the second year in a row. In recognition of MSC’s contribution, Quiet Sound awarded the company a Certificate of Recognition.
Quiet Sound will host a briefing on October 20 during One Ocean Week for press, elected officials, and executives of the organizations on the Quiet Sound Leadership Committee to release real time data of this year’s slowdown.
About Quiet Sound
Quiet Sound is a collaborative alliance that aims to reduce the impact of large commercial vessels on Southern Resident killer whales through voluntary measures. It is implementing noise-reduction initiatives, educational campaigns and monitoring programs in the Puget Sound, in coordination with Canadian and United States authorities. Quiet Sound is administered by Maritime Blue, a strategic alliance to accelerate a sustainable and equitable blue economy. News and updates can be found on the Quiet Sound website: https://quietsound.org/. The Quiet Sound team can be reached at info@quietsound.org.
Sara’s graduate thesis research sought to understand the factors that motivate container ship participation in the Quiet Sound voluntary vessel slowdown, given that container ships account for the majority of vessel transits and are the largest contributor of anthropogenic underwater noise among target vessels. The goal of this research is to inform and improve program design and engagement with the shipping industry to increase the impact of the slowdown. This qualitative case study developed an analytical framework to understand the impact of various factors on motivation to participate, including: Program characteristics, information sharing and exchange, operational factors, external influences, and intrinsic values. Sustainability reports and websites of 18 shipping lines calling Puget Sound ports, 6 vessel agents, the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma and the Northwest Seaport Alliance were analyzed. Key informant interviews were conducted with representatives from: Shipping lines, a shipping association, pilotage authority, the ECHO program, the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma, and the Northwest Seaport Alliance. Findings offer insights into motivations to participate and recommendations for voluntary slowdowns.
Sara presented this research at the GreenTech 2025 conference on a panel titled, ‘Whisper on the Waves: Noise Monitoring & Quieter Marine Technologies’, alongside Jesse Spence of Noise Control Engineering and Nicholas Gagliano of Sofar Ocean, which was moderated by Miako Ushio from the Shipping Federation of Canada.
To read the Executive Summary, click here. To access the entire thesis, click here.
Seattle, WASHINGTON (July 14, 2025) – Maritime Blue is proud to announce that AltaGas | ALA Energy has made a $100,000 donation to the Quiet Sound program, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to protecting the endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) in the Salish Sea.
This donation, building on their ongoing sponsorship and participation in the program, marks a significant investment in the preservation of critical orca habitat at a time when this species risks extinction. Quiet Sound, a program housed at Maritime Blue, brings together tribal governments, state and federal agencies, scientific researchers, nonprofits, and maritime industry leaders to reduce the impact of underwater noise on SRKWs.
“With this donation, AltaGas is demonstrating their commitment to the marine ecosystem,” said Rachel Aronson, Quiet Sound Program Director. “AltaGas and the Quiet Sound coalition are improving our ability to detect whales in real-time, alert mariners to their presence, implement programs to reduce vessel impact, and advance the latest research on vessel quieting technology.”
The Southern Resident killer whales rely on sound to hunt, navigate, and communicate. Underwater noise and proximity of commercial vessels can interfere with these essential behaviors. AltaGas’ support will help Quiet Sound continue and build on regionally-tailored programs and research helping endangered whales coexist alongside a thriving maritime economy.
“With AltaGas’ support, we are making a difference to quiet SRKW habitat and alert mariners to whale presence,” Aronson added. “By diminishing underwater noise, we’re safeguarding the Southern Residents’ acoustic habitat. Improved orca echolocation and communication means better hunting and mating opportunities, empowering these endangered creatures to thrive.”
“At AltaGas, we are committed to being a responsible and engaged partner in the communities where we live and operate.,” said Andrea McNamara Doyle, AltaGas’ External Affairs and Tribal Relations Manager for Washington State. “We are proud to support Quiet Sound and their work in protecting Southern Resident killer whales and advancing sustainable maritime practices in Washington’s waters. This donation reflects our belief that industry and environmental stewardship can move forward together—through innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to preserving the ecosystems that sustain us all.”
Paralleling their investment in Quiet Sound, AltaGas is also taking on a leadership role in the Maritime Blue Sustainable Marine Fuels Collaborative to accelerate the availability, affordability, and deployment of sustainable maritime fuels, low and zero emission vessels, and related technologies in the Pacific Northwest through a lens of equitable prosperity towards net zero emissions by 2050.
Sara Adams leads Quiet Sound's Voluntary Vessel Operations portfolio, including the seasonal voluntary slowdown for large commercial vessels.
Sara grew up in coastal Connecticut but has called Seattle home since 2015. Sara lived aboard her 28-foot sailboat in Shilshole Marina for five years, where she developed a deep appreciation for Washington's maritime industries, communities and ecosystems. Sara brings ten years of experience in program implementation, strategic communications, and business development in environmental justice, public health, construction management, and sustainable business. Having worked in and with the private sector, public sector, academia and non-profit organizations, she is experienced in identifying multi-benefit solutions to complex problems.
Sara is currently pursuing her Master's from the University of Washington's School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. Sara received her B.A in Biology and Clinical Nutrition from California Polytechnic State University. Sara is certified in Corporate Social Responsibility from the University of Colorado Boulder and Marine Diesel Engines from the Seattle Maritime Academy.
Sara enjoys swimming in the Sound, biking through forests, and a good slice of pizza.
