Christmastime. The winter holidays. Five weeks best spent hiding under a rock.  Whatever you like to call this time of year, chances are that "period when seasonal speed limits go into effect off the Atlantic coast" has never come to mind.

But under a 2008 law intended to curb violent collisions between big ships and extremely endangered North Atlantic right whales, seasonal speed limits of 10 knots per hour (roughly 12 mph) took effect in early November, for vessels 65 feet long or greater.  The rules apply to "seasonal management areas" where right whales are known to travel.

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