MSC 70/11/12
4 NAV 44 being unable to devote
sufficient time to complete a new report prepared instead for
further consideration a preliminary draft for a new report
along with a structure to be followed.
The current situation
5 The almost 4 years elapsed since
the application of the IMO Rules and Recommendations provided
us with experience which can be summarized as follows:
.1 delays have been experienced,
by the frequent suspension of the two-way traffic
scparation 1 scheme, without a fully justified compelling
need, resulting in congestion in the area and thus
increasing the risk of collisions and groundings;
.2 the presence of two wrecks in
the southbound lane of the TSS prevents certain ships
from remaining in the lane;
.3 the existing radar and radio
facilities do not provide reliable and constant control
of the traffic;
.4 the Vessel Traffic Services
(VTS) are not operating in such a way to provide an
effective and efficient traffic management system thus
failing to prevent large vessels and vessels carrying
hazardous cargoes to meet each other in the most narrow
parts of the Straits. This therefore increases the risk
of collision and the consequence of such collision;
.5 the pilot boarding places are
situated within the boundaries of the TSSs thus creating
a risk of collision with other vessels in the traffic
lane during manoeuvring;
.6 the anchorages designated for
vessels waiting permission to transit the Straits are in
very deep waters which in combination with meteorological
conditions in the area can create dangers for anchoring
vessels; and
.7 the difficulties experienced
by large vessels to keep within the traffic lane while
turning.
Proposals
6 Considering the above-mentioned
Greece proposes the following:
IMO Rules and Recommendations on Navigation
through the Straits
.1 The traffic separation schemes
(TSSs) to be reviewed and amended as to ensure the
expeditious and unhindered passage of ships through the
straits and in such a manner to facilitate full
compliance with the requirements of Rule 9 (e.g., Strait
of Bosporus and Strait of Dardanelles) and where
practicable Rule 10(e,g. Sea of Marmara) of the 1972
COLREGS, In this connection two precautionary areas to be
introduced in the Strait of Bosporus and in the Strait of
Dardanelles areas where the width of the channels is
narrow and large ships experience difficulties in keeping
to the appropriate traffic lane.
.2 The two wrecks in the
southbound lane to be removed or cropped in order to
provide sufficient under keel clearance for ships with
deep draught navigating in the straits.
I:/MSC/70/11-12.WPD
