Holyhead TSS - what's the point?

[AngusMcDoon]

On crossing from the IoM to Anglesey in complete calm weather the other day I watched the ships on AIS going round Anglesey for something to do. In 8 hours I counted 47 ships who could have used the TSS, and out of those only a single lonely 1 did so. All the others went round the outside, and a few inside. Here's a typical scenario...

Here's another...

So what's going on here then? Why are ships avoiding the TSS? Given that this scheme presents a considerable inconvenience* to small boats heading North from or South to Holyhead, what is the point of the whole thing if ships seem to be going out of their way to avoid it? Any deck officers got any idea?

* For those who don't know the area, the tide here wooshes at up to 5 knots generally following the line of the TSS. For a small slow boat having to cross this scheme with a perpendicular heading can end up with you being miles from where you want to be.

 

[oldvarnish]

I don't know this area as well as you do; but my guess is that without the traffic scheme, those ships would be doing what they're doing now but much closer to the shore. It's acting as a kind of 'bumper' isn't it? That can't be bad.

 

[Searush]

I don't know this area as well as you do; but my guess is that without the traffic scheme, those ships would be doing what they're doing now but much closer to the shore. It's acting as a kind of 'bumper' isn't it? That can't be bad.

I reckon that's about it. The cliffs inshore are pretty unforgiving & fog is not unusual. The TSS is not long, traficc is far lighter than in the channel & it is not avidly policed wrt leisure craft. I usually pass well inside it - or go round the ends if heading offshore.

The Skerries lagoon is worth a visit for a break while the tide gets over it's hissy fit, but I wouldn't try to it enter at half tide or in any Northerly

 

[savageseadog]

I was on an offshore race last year that took us over the Holyhead separation and noticed much the same thing. I had to check the nav a few times to check if were still in the separation or not because of the traffic outside it. It does seem very close in for big ships.

 

[crisjones]

We sailed out of Holyhead for about 5yrs and I always found that most large shipping did use the TSS, yes there were always some ships outside it but that is true of most TSS's.

If you look at the destination of the shipping on the AIS then generally the ships heading to or from the English Channel / Liverpool will use the TSS. Those heading for Ireland / Scotland will go outside.

I guess the TSS is more a legacy from the days when Liverpool was a much busier port than it is today, although as Searush says the coast inside the TSS is very unforgiving so it also serves to keep shipping in safe waters. Having said that I have seen 8 or 10 ships in the TSS at one time - it all depends on the tide - large shipping can only enter or leave the Mersey around high water so that dictates what time they traverse the Holyhead TSS to some extent.

The tidal flow can be a pain when crossing the TSS but you can always alter your course slightly and pass to the immediate E of the TSS, it is not too far out of the direct line and it means you are not constrained by the TSS rules, you also become the stand-on vessel if you are sailing, although you would have to quite brave to expect shipping to give way so close to the TSS.

 

[GrahamM376]

AIS may indicate ships outside the TSS but some may be trawlers fishing. We've crossed it many times and on occasions have crossed the SW going lane and then used the NE lane (after calling Holyhead CG) when conditions have been a bit lively inshore of it.

 

[Skylark]

Interesting observation and contrary to my experience. Could it be that the AIS and plotter have different datums? (no offence meant )

I'm sure that the Hydrographic office put them there for good reason. I don't understand why commercial vessels would be close to, but not using the TSS. Did you speak to HH CG for their opinion?

Perhaps the MCA has been amalgamated with the Highways Agency without our knowledge. Did you notice thousands of temporary buoys marking a detour and causing the congestion

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Interesting observation and contrary to my experience. Could it be that the AIS and plotter have different datums? (no offence meant )

Well the ferries seemed to be sailing out of the harbour as expected and not launching from South Stack, so the datums were ok.

I'm sure that the Hydrographic office put them there for good reason. I don't understand why commercial vessels would be close to, but not using the TSS. Did you speak to HH CG for their opinion?

Who does decide where TSS's are? I would have thought that it is more an IMO sort of thing than Hydrographic Office. Not spoken to HH CG.

 

[chanelyacht]

Who does decide where TSS's are? I would have thought that it is more an IMO sort of thing than Hydrographic Office. Not spoken to HH CG.

Correct.

The Hydrographic Office approve Temporary Exclusion Zones, such as those around incidents, but routeing measures such as TSS's are dealt with by the nation concerned through IMO.

Not sure why vessels are not using the Holyhead TSS, but as long as vessels are not coming inside of it (between TSS and shore) there's no issue.

Would be a bit different in the Dover TSS though!

 

[Juggler7823]

Skerries TSS

Whether ships use the TSS is usually decided by the ship going directly to Liverpool etc or whether the ship is calling in at Point Lynas to collect or return a Liverpilot Pilot