4 ISAF accepts that HSC should be proceeding at a safe speed under Rule 6 taking into account the factors prescribed by that Rule. However it is in particular conscious that many small vessels might not be detected by radar sets operating on HSC as is demonstrated in the paper submitted by CIRM (NAV 45/5/6).
5 The HSC using Hong Kong, China waters operate passenger services between ports in those and adjacent waters. This applies also to other areas of the world. These HSC are small in comparison to some other HSC operating vehicle and passenger ferry services. It would appear from the descriptions in the annex to the Note that most of the other vessels involved were small ships.
6 The vast majority of pleasure vessels operated by members of ISAF are also small ships. They and fishing vessels can by reason of weather be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre. They are not in adverse weather conditions readily, and more important, quickly identifiable on radar in waters which may sometimes be crowded. Of the eighty-three incidents recorded in annex, twenty-five involved launches, fishing vessels or pleasure craft. In every case save one blame seems to be attributable to the HSC involved.
7 ISAF believes, notwithstanding the debate in early meetings of the Sub-Committee, that there is a case for an amendment to Rule 18 to require HSC always to keep out of the way of other vessels.
Action requested of the Sub-Committee
8 The Sub-Committee is invited to note the comments and observations set out in this paper when considering the Note from Hong Kong, China and amendments to COLREGs.
