2.1   POLICY

2.1.1 The most important contribution to the safety of navigation in the Dover Strait area is the compliance of vessels with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 as amended.

2.1.2 The purpose of this Section is to provide an interpretation of the Collision Regulations in so far as they affect the operation of the Service and as agreed by AFNTG on behalf of AFSONG at their meeting held on 8 November 1978.

2.1.3 Rule 10 applies to Traffic Separation Schemes adopted by IMO; amongst these is the Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme. The Scheme is flanked by Inshore Traffic Zones.

　

2.2   CONTRAVENTIONS OF THE COLLISIONS REGULATIONS

2.2.1 Vessels which are conducted in contravention of Rule 10 are known as ROGUES.

2.2.2 Radar surveillance has particular application to the detection of contraventions of Rules 10(b)(i), 10(b)(ii), 10(c), 10(d), 10(h) and 10(i). Nevertheless radar surveillance of conduct in accordance with all other paragraphs of Rule 10 is not excluded.

　

2.3   PROCEDURE WITHIN A TRAFFIC LANE

2.3.1 All vessels using a traffic lane must conform to the IMO principles of routing.

2.3.2 If they are following the lane they must proceed in the general direction of traffic flow 10(b)(i).

2.3.3 If they are crossing it they must do so as nearly as practicable at right angles to that direction, 10(c).

2.3.4 If they approach a Traffic Separation Zone or line within 2 cables consideration should be given to a warning-off under the provisions of Rule 10(b)(ii).

　

2.4   THROUGH ROGUES

2.4.1 Vessels in a traffic lane which proceed directly against the general direction of traffic flow are in contravention of Rule 10(b)(i) and are to be classified for statistical purposes as THROUGH ROGUES.

2.4.2 Vessels crossing a traffic lane obliquely in a direction against the traffic flow are also to be classified for statistical purposes as THROUGH ROGUES if their tracks are within twenty degrees of the reciprocal direction of the traffic flow.

　

2.5   CROSSING ROGUES

2.5.1 In general terms, any vessel other than those described in 2.4.1 and 2.4.2 which is in contravention of Rule 10(c) for statistical purposes is a CROSSING ROGUE.

2.5.2 For the purposes of the Service only, tolerance is to be applied to crossing vessels whose tracks are with the traffic flow or which are against the traffic flow but within 20 degrees of the right angle to the general direction of traffic flow. Such tracks are not to be considered for broadcast or for reporting action.

2.5.3 Transfers from one side to the other of a traffic lane may sometimes be made at a small angle with the traffic flow. It is not at present possible to establish angle limits beyond which such transfers are in contravention of Rule 10(b)(i) but as the manoeuvre is considered by IMO to be within the ordinary practice of prudent seamanship provided the angle is as small as practicable it is sufficient that vessels which are judged to be executing this manoeuvre shall be watched lest they seriously embarrass other vessels or become rogues if they cross to the adjoining lane or inshore traffic zone.

　

2.6   OTHER CASES

2.6.1 The IMO principles of routing also apply to vessels which are within a lane for purposes other than passage through or across it. These may be fishing vessels, sailing vessels and small craft, or vessels obliged to anchor, and guidance is given in paragraphs 2.7, 2.8 and 2.9.

　

2 7   FISHING VESSELS

2.7.1 Vessels fishing within a Traffic Separation Scheme are considered to be using the scheme and must therefore, when working in a traffic lane, conform to the essential principles of Rule 10(i).

2.7.2 When fishing in a separation zone they may follow any course.

2.7.3 The requirement [Rule 10(i)] that vessels fishing must not impede through traffic means that they must not operate in such a manner that they, or their gear, seriously restrict the sea room available to other vessels within a lane. They should make every endeavour whilst fishing to avoid interfering with traffic. If, nonetheless, the risk of collision with another vessel develops, then the other steering and sailing rules apply.

　

2.8   SAILING VESSELS AND SMALL CRAFT

2.8.1 Sailing vessels and small craft of less than 20 metres (65 feet) length are to avoid interfering with the flow of through traffic but if risk of collision does develop the normal steering and sailing rules apply.

2.8.2 No specific mention is made in the Rule of a sailing vessel having an auxiliary engine but if such a vessel cannot conform with routeing principles under sail alone, because of light or adverse winds, then she should use her engine in order to do so.

2.8.3 IMO has accepted that such vessels may use an Inshore Traffic Zone even when they come into the category of through traffic.

　

2.9   VESSELS ANCHORING

2.9.1 Vessel shall as far as practicable avoid anchoring in a Traffic Separation Scheme or in areas near its termination. The particular case of vessels requiring to anchor in a separation zone is covered in Rule 10(e)(i) which is considered to allow anchoring to be a seamanlike manoeuvre in cases such as engine breakdown or bad visibility.

　

2.10   INSHORE TRAFFIC ZONES

2.10.1 Inshore Traffic Zones (ITZ) are established on the landward boundaries of the Dover Strait Separation Scheme within the boundaries as follows:

English ITZ:
Between a line drawn 180 degrees from South Foreland Light to intersect with the South West Lane and a line drawn from Shoreham, West Breakwater to the CS1 Buoy.

French ITZ:
Between a line drawn 325 degrees from Cap Gris-Nez to the ZC2 Buoy and a line drawn 270 degrees on latitude 50°.30 N from the French Coast to intersect with the North East Lane.

2.10.2 For the purposes of Rule 10(d) 'through' may be defined as a vessel not calling at a port or stopping for any other routine reason within the limits of the English or French ITZ. Through traffic which can safely do so should use the appropriate traffic lane rather than the Inshore Traffic Zones, but see 2.8.3 for vessels of less than 20 metres.

2.10.3 The purpose of Rule 10(d) is to reduce the number of head-on encounters in the Inshore Traffic Zones. It does not preclude through vessels under stress of weather from seeking the protection of a weather shore. It does not impose any specific behaviour on vessels in Inshore Traffic Zones. Vessels in such zones must continue to look out for other traffic heading in any direction.

2.10.4 Vessels which are using Inshore Traffic Zones apparently in contravention of Rule 10(d) are to be attended to by the littoral state. Paragraph 4.2.3 refers.

2.10.5 If they approach within two cables of a lane from outside the Scheme, consideration should be given to a warning off under the provisions of Rule 10(h).

　

2.11   SANDETTIE DEEP WATER ROUTE

2.11.1 Vessels proceeding against the traffic flow in the Sandettie deep water route, or crossing it at an angle in excess of the 20 degree tolerance applied by the Service, can present an especially grave danger to the safe navigation of deep draught vessels.

2.11.2 According to IMO Routeing Principles the Deep Water Route is primarily intended for use by vessels which, because of their draught in relation to the available depth of water in the area, require the use of this route. Vessels to which the above consideration does not apply should, if practicable, avoid following the deep draught route. If they use this route they should avoid impeding deep draught vessels.