Mijn bijdrage:
Ik had de volgende vragen gestuurd naar Dover Coastguard:
The question is: do I also have to cross the separation zone at right angle or may I use a different angle until I reach the traffic lane again ?
When I’am crossing the traffic lane at right angle and a ship in the traffic lane is on collision course, I have to give free way to the ship.
There are a few possibilities to avoid collision:
1. slow down speed and keep crossing at right angle
2. temporally change course in direction of traffic lane until ship has passed (ship takes longer time to pass)
3. temporally change course in opposite direction of traffic lane to stern of ship (ship takes shorter time to pass)
Are all 3 allowed ?
Daarop het volgende antwoord gekregen:
Thank you for taking the time to make contact, and rest assured you are not bothering anyone. Before getting to your questions I think it is useful just to examine, from first principles, the issue you are trying to resolve.
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (IRPCS, 1972) are the internationally agreed rules that govern the conduct of ships in relation to other vessels. The Rules are intended to ensure/enhance the safety of navigation by prescribing the conduct of vessels when underway, by specifying the display of internationally understood lights and sound signals and by setting out collision avoidance actions in close quarter situations. In short therefore, each vessel is expecting every other vessels to comply with the IRPCS, 1972. Rule 10 of IRPCS, 1972 sets out the rules for Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS). Traffic Separation Schemes, or the separation of opposing streams of traffic by means of a TSS, is one of several routeing measures adopted by the IMO. The purpose of ships' routeing is to improve the safety of navigation in converging areas and in areas where the density of traffic is great or where the freedom of movement of shipping is inhibited by restricted sea-room, the existence of obstructions to navigation, limited depths or unfavourable meteorological conditions; each of which is a factor in the Dover Strait. Whilst no one Rule can necessarily be considered in isolation to the other Rules, Rule 10 includes some specific requirements one of which (for example) at Rule 10(c) is the requirement to cross a TSS on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow. There are 2 very simple, very good reasons for this requirement, which are:
1. Crossing at right angles minimises the time of crossing the lane. Less time in the lane reduces the probability of interaction with those following the general direction of the lane.
2. Crossing at right angles presents the most favourable aspect to mariners following the traffic lanes; this makes it easier for them to interpret the situation(s) and apply the collision regulations correctly.
Turning now to your first question....
Quote
Do I also have to cross the separation zone at right angle or may I use a different angle until I reach the traffic lane again ?
End quote
The passage you are planning means that at some point whilst crossing the TSS you will enter a separation zone, this is unavoidable hence the provision in Rule 10(e). At what heading you should cross a separation zone is not stipulated in COLREGs though as you have found out. Despite that, and as I stated above, both the spirit and the letter of COLREGs is to avoid situations/actions which might be misinterpreted by other vessels. Now, I am assuming you will be sailing (i.e. no engine) throughout the passage and I am assuming the correct day-shape will be displayed (for a daylight passage?). On that basis then a decision to make a bold alteration whilst in a separation zone by a vessel that was previously apparently crossing could possibly be misinterpreted; having said that you are sailing so Rule 10(j) applies and so the manoeuvre could equally be interpreted as you simply keeping out of the way. So the short answer to that question is, no, according to COLREGs you are not obliged to cross a separation zone at the same heading as crossing a lane. Altering course or loitering within a separation zone is perhaps a moot point, but again, spirit and letter of COLREGs is for the avoidance of doubt in encounters between vessels so let this be your guide.
Next question....
Quote
When I’am crossing the traffic lane at right angle and a ship in the traffic lane is on collision course, I have to give free way to the ship. There are a few possibilities to avoid collision:
1. slow down speed and keep crossing at right angle
2. temporally change course in direction of traffic lane until ship has passed (ship takes longer time to pass)
3. temporally change course in opposite direction of traffic lane to stern of ship (ship takes shorter time to pass)
End quote
Good question! There are so many factors to take into account during any given crossing situation as I am sure you know. I shall not produce them all here but what are some of the variables? - weather, visibility, size of crossing vessel, size of your vessel, who is give-way, who is stand-on, under sail or under power (for either vessel) etc. etc.
From above, #'s 1 & 2 seem sensible and prudent, it is worth re-iterating part of Rule 8 here:
Rule 8(b)
Any alteration of course and/or speed to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar; a succession of small alterations of course and/or speed should be avoided.
So the key bit here is that whatever you do it should be 'readily apparent' for the avoidance of doubt.
#3 - hmmmm, ask yourself the question whether you think collision avoidance is a sufficiently good enough reason for breaching COLREGs (Rules 10, 15, 16 & 17 to name a few) or whether the planning for the crossing should have been a bit better?
To summarise all of the above, I think a cautious and conscientious skipper takes every advantage of every opportunity to conduct any given passage as safely as possible. To that end I think the fact you have taken the time to make contact perhaps demonstrates you fall into this category. I think Rule 10 is quite clear; as a crossing vessel you cannot avoid entering a separation zone but loitering or manoeuvring within the zone is a moot point. Not impeding the passage of a power-driven vessel following a traffic lane for a sailing vessel or a vessel less than 20 metres is also clearly stated. In effect all of the above is discussing the actions of a skipper doing his or her very best to comply with COLREGs by keeping out of the way of large vessels that are following a traffic lane.
For your information attached are two documents, the first is a copy of the IRPCS, 1972. In it you will find Rule 10 as described above. The second document is a UK document (a Marine Guidance Mote) that expands on some of the provisions of IRPCS, 1972 Rule 10 and contains information specifically mentioning the Dover Strait. I trust you will find them useful.
