Module 17 - Marine Environment
Protecting Marine Wildlife
What you will learn
Operate predictably around marine wildlife and interpret protected-area designations as prompts to check the current site-specific measures.
Wildlife should control the encounter. In England, the national code gives a 100-metre and under-6-knot baseline for motorised craft, while the location and species may require more space or tighter controls.
England's Marine and Coastal Wildlife Code tells motorised craft to stay under 6 knots at no-wake speed around marine wildlife and remain 100 metres away. Move farther away if an animal shows disturbance, and keep clear if more than two boats are already nearby. Do not chase, follow, crowd, circle, separate, touch or feed wildlife for a photograph or encounter.
If dolphins, whales or porpoises choose to approach and bow-ride, maintain a steady speed and direction and let them leave. A sudden turn towards the group, speed increase or attempt to prolong the encounter removes the animal's choice and can create propeller or collision risk. Other species, seasons, devolved administrations and local wildlife-watching codes may call for more separation than the England baseline.
MCZ and SAC are conservation designations, not identical blanket rulebooks. Each site protects specified features and can have different voluntary measures, byelaws, speed limits, anchoring controls or seasonal restrictions. The skipper must identify the site and read its current management information; the letters alone do not prove that every activity is prohibited or permitted.
Let an approaching pod set the encounter
A pod appears near the planned track and two dolphins begin bow-riding while another tour boat is already close by.
1. Reduce pressure
Keep below the advised no-wake speed, avoid steering into the group and do not join a cluster of vessels.
2. Stay predictable
Hold a steady speed and direction while the animals remain close; avoid sudden turns and acceleration.
3. Leave space
Allow the animals to depart, move farther away at any sign of disturbance and follow any tighter local code.
Sense check: The animals must always have an unobstructed route away from the vessel and should not need to change behaviour to satisfy the crew's viewing plan.
Common mistake or limitation
- The 100-metre and 6-knot figures are England code guidance, not universal limits that cancel species-specific, local or devolved rules.
- An MCZ or SAC designation does not by itself tell the skipper the exact restriction; current site management must be checked.
Recap
- Distance, slow speed and predictable movement reduce disturbance and injury risk.
- An animal approaching the yacht is not permission to chase, turn towards it or prolong the encounter.
- Protected-area management is site-specific, so consult current notices and byelaws rather than guessing from the designation.
Optional quick check
Section 5 of 7
Dolphins approach a motor yacht and begin bow-riding. What best follows the England code?
Continue studying Marine Environment
This public lesson is part of Revision Module 17. Full revision access adds the guided Learn, Practise and Test flow, flashcards and revision progress.