Think of someone powerful enough to move a shipping lane: to alter the path of behemoth tankers and freighters coming into Boston from Africa, Canada and South America, representing an international industry.
You are probably thinking of someone with serious political or legal clout — or both.
But in a side street in East Wareham, in a historic part of town near the Agawam River, another kind of person has been at work on that lane to prevent ships from striking whales: Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary scientist and research coordinator David Wiley.
On Thursday, Wiley, 56, will receive the U.S. Commerce Department’s highest award for distinguished service, the Gold Medal. The award recognizes his leadership in ground-breaking research, including the relocation in July 2007 of a 5-mile-wide shipping lane within the sanctuary — using more subtle skills, such as scientific acumen, an understanding of human nature, the patience to bring doubters along with logical arguments, and even a bit of old-fashioned pleasantry.