Requires owners of certain large vessels to establish whale strike prevention policies

This bill requires owners of large commercial vessels, specifically those 500 feet or longer, to create and submit whale strike prevention policies before entering the marine and coastal district. The legislation mandates that these policies include specific measures such as speed reductions, crew training, and the use of technology to avoid harming whales, while also requiring annual reviews and compliance checks by state agencies. Owners who fail to establish or maintain a compliant policy face fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per violation, with additional daily penalties for continued non-compliance. The act ensures that these new safety requirements do not override existing federal or local speed restrictions and takes effect 180 days after becoming law.