MSC 70/11/15
efforts as attempts to politicize what should remain a
purely technical issue of how to ensure the highest practical
standards of safety of navigation and protection of the
marine environment.
4 Turkey also objects to any efforts made to
impose amendments on the established routeing system as
adopted by the nineteenth Assembly (A.827(19)) without
Turkey's agreements. As stated by the Chairman of the Working
Group for NAV 43, IMO cannot adopt or amend a routeing system
without the agreement of the coastal State (Section 3.4 of
the General Provisions on Ships' Routeing).
5 The Rules and Recommendations as adopted by
A,827(19) have been in force for four years. The dramatic
decrease in the number of accidents and collisions in the
Turkish Straits speak clearly as to their success.
6 As to the proposal to establish“precautionary
areas”in certain parts of the Straits, Turkey strongly
believes that establishing Rule 9 in parts of the Straits
will cause more harm than good to safety of navigation. The
establishment of precautionary areas would mean that vessels
are encouraged to navigate on their starboard side. However,
experience shows that in areas where sharp turns and
unpredictable currents exist, ship captains prefer to
navigate as close to the middle as possible, which will, as
has happened in the past, lead to collisions, loss of life
and environmental damage. It follows that the proposal to
return to Rule 9 of COLREGs in the Turkish Straits would
challenge seriously the principles of safety of navigation,
and is therefore unacceptable.
7 Furthermore, as to the concept of freedom of
navigation, Turkey holds the opinion that this freedom like
other freedoms has its limits. In other words, it does not
mean it should be uncontrolled and unlimited. In fact,
freedoms are usually matched by obligations, and the freedom
of navigation can be exercised under certain conditions only.
Vessels, while enjoying this freedom, must abide by the
principles of safety of navigation, have regard for the
freedom of others, the right to life, in particular, and
comply with relevant instruments.
Action requested of the Committee
8 The MSC is requested not to consider document
MSC 70/11/11.
I:/MSC/70/11-15.WPD
