Crossing deep water routes

[Daydream believer]

I am fully aware of rules relating to crossing a "shipping lane". Ie direction etc
However, where the chart marks an area as a "deep water route" how do the rules now apply
Generally I would give way to any ship especially one constrained by its draft
But if i sailed on a diagonal heading as opposed to one at right angles in a deep water route would i be contravening the law

I am off to Den Helder from Bradwell Later in the year & noticed that the shipping lanes change to deep water routes & my track would be diagonal across them if i made no allowance

 

[Joker]

The deep water route goes off the main route about half way across. It's fairly quiet, since most traffic goes straight on.

If you've AIS, it shouldn't be a problem.

I would be reluctant to do that crossing these days without AIS.

 

[NormanS]

A "Deep Water Route" is not like a traffic separation zone, as far as I am aware, and normal Colregs apply. For instance, to try to dissuade VLCCs etc from transitting The Minch, a deep water route was established out to the west of the Hebrides. The Northern Lighthouse Board installed several new lights on some of the outlying islands.

(I don't know whether it made any difference to any significant number of large ships).

 

[Daydream believer]

Deleted

 

[Daydream believer]

If you've AIS, it shouldn't be a problem.

I would be reluctant to do that crossing these days without AIS.

I have done over130 channel crossings & never felt need for AIS
Nothing against it though .

 

[chinita]

Generally I would give way to any ship especially one constrained by its draft

Generally I would say that is a good idea.

 

[Colvic Watson]

I have done over130 channel crossings & never felt need for AIS
Nothing against it though .

We've only done about a dozen and since we've had AIS I feel the need to keep it!

 

[Salty John]

Whilst there is no statutory requirement to cross 'deep water routes' at right angles the regulations suggest it would be 'prudent'.

 

[nigel1]

Like Salty John says.
The IMO Ships Routing Guide states
For ships which have to cross the deep-water route, attention is drawn to Rule 18(d)(i) of the 1972 Collision Regulations. Mariners are, however reminded that, when risk of collision is deemed to exist, the 1972 Collision Rules fully apply, and in particular, the rules of Part B, section II and III, are of specific relevance in the crossing situation

IMHO, I would suggest crossing the DW route at right angles, which I would consider good seamanship, and gets you out of the DW route in the quickest time

 

[lw395]

I think it depends on whether the lane is busy.
Some DWR's are only used by a few ships a day at certain states of the tide.
If you have good visibility and AIS, it might be more prudent to adhere to the actual rules and worry about your obligations to the smaller ships not following the DWR.

Obviously you need to be aware of any big ships in order to clear the DWR in good time. But that does not mean you cannot sail along it while there are no big ships and tack out of it when necessary.

(Somehow most passages seem to be a beat....?)

 

[onesea]

I have done over130 channel crossings & never felt need for AIS
Nothing against it though .

Dad was Master mariner, went round the world without GPS did not want it or need it.

We've only done about a dozen and since we've had AIS I feel the need to keep it!

I had windfall at work, bought an early handheld GPS, suddenly he felt the same way. Can I borrow your GPS? was a frequent request.

Still think AIS if your crossing that regularly is sensible, unless you have radar...

 

[Daydream believer]

Still think AIS if your crossing that regularly is sensible, unless you have radar...

I sail single handed & could not keep going below to operate AIS or radar
If i did i would not be able to use the best systems---common sense & eyeball
So far i have only had a few problems with fog & there is no way i would go below to fiddle with electrics in those conditions

 

[Joker]

I sail singlehanded too - and have an autohelm to steer the boat whilst I consult the AIS on the laptop.

 

[prv]

I sail single handed & could not keep going below to operate AIS or radar

The mistake there is mounting them below.

Pete

 

[AliM]

The deep water route you cross on the way to Den Helder is not very busy, and the ships are fairly spread out, although the biggies tend to keep in the direct routes between the various traffic separation schemes.

We have done that trip, or similar ones across the North Sea, about a dozen times, in the last 10 years, about half without and half with AIS. It is quite possible without, of course, but very much more relaxing with!

Consider what it's like with a dozen or so distant lights on ships, ranged all around you. Most are going to pass miles away from you, but you need to keep an eye on a couple of them. Glance round, or get distracted, and then look back at that set of lights and try to work out which were the dangerous ones. AIS makes it a lot easier to keep track of them. You also see quite a lot of anchored boats - groups off Lowestoft and IJmuiden I remember particularly - if you can see on AIS that they are anchored, then you needn't worry about their course. It takes a lot longer to work that out if you have to take bearings.

Note the De Ruyter gas platform, and give it a wide berth (2miles, I think). They will call you up, very politely, and ask you to change course if they are worried. It may be a bit south of your track, though.

 

[Daydream believer]

Note the De Ruyter gas platform, and give it a wide berth (2miles, I think). They will call you up, very politely, and ask you to change course if they are worried. It may be a bit south of your track, though.

I have done Bradwell /Ijmuiden SH & also with a crew so the trip is not a challenge. I just noticed the change from deep water route to separation zone & wondered how the rules changed
However, the gas field you mention is not on my chart, that i can see
Does anyone have the position please? I do not recall seeing it specifically mentioned in reeds. If weather dictates i may change course for Ijmuiden so would go a bit more south

 

[nigel1]

Platform P11-B-De Ruyter is at approx position 52 21.6N, 03 20.5E
(It is fitted with AIS)

 

[Daydream believer]

Platform P11-B-De Ruyter is at approx position 52 21.6N, 03 20.5E
(It is fitted with AIS)

Thanks - much appreciated, now marked on ( rather outdated) chart
Just hope they have not moved Den Helder

 

[nigel1]

Thanks - much appreciated, now marked on ( rather outdated) chart
Just hope they have not moved Den Helder

Den Helder was still there this morning

 

[KellysEye]

> never felt need for AIS

Agree, another pointless piece of kit given we have the Mark One Eyeball. Chart plotters are another pointless piece of expensive kit since you have to carry charts as a back up.