NAVWARN details

HARO STRAIT AND BOUNDARY PASS – ECHO Program 2025 Voluntary Ship Slowdown 

Effective June 15 to November 30, 2026 the ECHO Program voluntary ship slowdown through Haro Strait and Boundary Pass is active for all inbound and outbound commercial and government vessels to reduce underwater noise for at-risk whales. This initiative will remain in effect 24 hours per day until 2359 PDT on November 30, 2026, depending on southern resident killer whale presence in the fall. If it is safe and operationally feasible to do so, commercial and government vessels are requested to not exceed the following speeds through the water: 

11 knots – Bulkers, tankers, general cargo vessels, and government vessels; and, 

14.5 knots – Vehicle carriers, cruise ships, and container vessels. 

This voluntary slowdown takes place between the vessel traffic separation scheme at the south end of Haro Strait at 48-24-22.78 N ,123-12-15.26 W, and the vessel traffic separation scheme at the north end of Boundary Pass at 48-46-39.28 N, 123-1-36.84 W. There are also two optional slow down areas, one rounding Turn Point and the other between Saturna Island and Alden Point, Patos Island. 

The ECHO Program is led by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in collaboration with government agencies, Indigenous communities, industry partners and environmental groups.  

For more detailed information, refer to the following internet web address: 

https://www.portvancouver.com/echo/