SUB-COMMITTEE ON SAFETY OF
NAVIGATION
44th session
Agenda item 3

ROUTEING OF SHIPS, SHIP REPORTING AND RELATED MATTERS

Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme

Proposed Area to be Avoided around F3 station

Submitted by the United Kingdom

Background

1 　　　　The F3 station lies on the separation line between the traffic lanes on the Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS) in the Dover Strait (see appendix 1). It is situated in an area of heavy crossing traffic. The chartlet at Appendix 2 shows traffic routes in the vicinity of the station and indicates some 11000 crossing movements per annum.

2　　　　The station was established in June 1982 as part of a major re-organization of the routeing measures in the English Channel and Dover Strait. In 1994 the Lanby at the station was withdrawn and replaced with a Light Vessel exhibiting the same light, fog signal and racon characteristics. Details of the station, are as follows:

Position:		Latitude 51°23'.82N Longitude 02°00'.62E.(OSGB36 DATUM)
Characteristics:
Daymark Light		Automated Light Vessel Fl 10 seconds Range 23 miles
Fog signal:		Bl 10 seconds
Racon		Agile Frequency, Morse code T, range: 10 miles] S & X band, display period 9 seconds on, 21 seconds off.

For reasons of economy, this document is printed in a limited number. Delegates are kindly asked to bring their copies to meetings and not to request additional copies.

Outline of Problem

3　　　　The F3 station has suffered collision damage seven times over the past 10 years: Each collision caused a navigational hazard and involved costs in the region of L l0,000, but two collisions required the aid to navigation to be withdrawn for repair, which can cost well in excess of £50,000.

Establishing an Area to be Avoided

4　　　　The United Kingdom proposes that an Area to be Avoided of 500 metre radius, centred on the assigned position of the F3 station in Latitude 51 (23'.82N., Longitude 02°OO'.62E (OSGB36 Datum), be established to avoid hazard to this aid to navigation which is considered vital to the safety of navigation. The area should be avoided by all classes of ships, except for vessels belonging to or contracted by the General Lighthouse Authorities of the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The chartlet at Appendix 2 illustrates the proposal.

Action requested by the Sub-Committee

5　　　　The Sub-Committee is invited to consider the above proposal and to take action as appropriate.

I:/NAV/44/3-2.WPD

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