|
|
|
|
|||||
|
||||||
From: Dave Weilacher (no email)
Date: Tue Jun 14 2005 - 17:11:20 EDT
My understanding of traffic separation zones is:
Vessels outside the zone fall under the standard nav rules. Nothing says they have to go get 'in' a lane.
Vessels in a traffic separation zone have to proceed in the direction designated and enter the lane at as shallow an angle as possible.
Vessels crossing the zone should do it at right angles to the lanes.
The separation area between the two lanes are to be avoided except for crossing unless fishing.
-----Original Message-----
From: Lu Abel <>
Sent: Jun 14, 2005 4:54 PM
To:
Subject: Re: A few questions for the pros
Bill:
It is my understanding that the obligations of commercial vessels around
the use of charted shipping channels are spelled out in the US
regulations that establish each specific shipping channel (ie, there is
no "universal" rule about commercial vessel behavior with respect to a
charted shipping lane). These regulations specify the tonnage of
vessels and also such issues as those you mention (ie, whether a large
vessel could sail a rhumb line from NE to SW or whether they would have
to sail a "Z" to stay in the shipping lane).
Shipping lanes are intended to separate traffic going in different
directions (eg, up-lake and down-lake in your example) by providing
specific areas for vessels to operate in while going in opposite
directions. With respect to the issue you raise about a commercial
vessel being out of the charted lane, most commonly the regulations
would specify that it must remain in the charted lane as long as it was
transiting in the direction of the lane (and of the proper size to be
required to use the lane). But they may be a bit more lax with a vessel
going in the direction of a lane that strays outside of it by getting
too far off center. It's crossing into the lane carrying traffic in the
opposite direction that is an absolute no-no.
For vessels going crossways to the traffic lane (as in your example) a
vessel would not be under an obligation to go off its most reasonable
course and be forced to use the lane unless specifically required by
regulations for that traffic separation scheme. Most regulations simply
require that a vessel crossing a shipping lane do it in "the most
expeditious fashion," ie, cross it at right angles or as close to 90
degrees as reasonable and possible. So a vessel needing to cross a
shipping lane (eg, to get to or from a port on the opposite side) would
not be allowed to drift diagonally across the other lane but rather make
a smart right-angle turn across it. Very much like what we'd do when
driving a car and needing to make a left turn... (for those of us who
drive on the right side of the road at least).
Lu Abel
Bill wrote:
> On lake Michigan there are northbound and southbound shipping lanes on the
> charts from the north of the lake to various harbors near the south west of
> the lake.
>
> What are the rules/conventions as to how close to the lanes commercial
> traffic should travel? For example, if a vessel is coming from a harbor on
> the east side of the lake (not charted with shipping lanes) to a marked
> harbor on the south west side of the lake, does she sail the rhumb line
> between to two harbors if possible, or first go to the shipping lane and
> then proceed?
>
> If coming south from the straits so there is no problem using a lane, how
> far off the lane may she wander?
>
> Also, is anyone familiar with the term, "Stand To." Our boat owner used it
> during radio contact with a freighter when I noted us on a collision course
> (freighter was approx.5 nm off the charted lane).
>
> What he was trying to communicate was he intended to heave to and let the
> freighter stand on, but I am unfamiliar with this term.
>
> Any input from past or present professional/licensed members and others
> would be appreciated.
>
> Bill
>
>
Dave Weilacher
.IBM AS400 RPG contract programmer
.USCG Master lic. 100 ton
.ASA Sailing Instructor Evaluator
|