TSS/Separation zones?

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Mings74

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Hi all,
I understand the that you have to cross the TSS at 90 degrees, what about the separation zone?, can I change course in that until I hit the TSS on the French side?. Cheers Ming
 
To be strictly correct, I believe you have to cross the TSS HEADING at 90 degrees which may not be what those who designed the rules wanted, especially in a slow boat like mine.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I believe you have to cross the TSS HEADING at 90 degrees

[/ QUOTE ] That is correct. It is what takes you across in the shortest possible time. Very relevant to the owner of a slow boat. IIRC the wording was changed sometime after the TSSs were first introduced to reflect this.
Also IIRC a well known yachting journalist was prosecuted in the early days for crossing on a 90° heading rather than a 90° course. I believe he did it deliberately to bring attention to the way in which the rules were originally worded.
 
Please be careful here. Its been a very long time since I was required to learn my Rule of the Road by rote but Rule 10c states that if you are obliged to cross a a traffic lane 'on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow'. Not necessarily the shortest time across depending on wind tide etc. Furthermore I disagree with the assertion that course can be adjusted in a separation zone. You are still deemed to be a crossing vessel and as such must act accordingly. Other than for the purposes of crossing or joining or leaving a lane you should not enter a separation zone or cross a separation line except to avoid immediate danger or to engage in fishing within a separation zone, Rule 10e. Other exemptions allowed for include vessels restricted in their ability to manoeuvre re maintenance of safety of navigation and certain underwater ops. In my view this is one of the Rules that is most misunderstood.
 
Severnman,
Don't understand your bit about boats in separation zones still being crossing vessels.
Rule 10 c only mentions crossing traffic lanes, not sep zones.
 
Just out of interest I did phone Dover coastguard to get the definitive answer as I have had various replies to people I have asked in the past. The coastguard told me they are currently on strike (over fair pay) and unless my question was in relation to an immediate emergency he wouldn't answer it for me!.
I will cross my fingers tomorrow as I head across the TSS en-route to Boulogne!. Ming
 
[ QUOTE ]
The coastguard told me they are currently on strike

[/ QUOTE ] The Coastguard may be on strike but fortunately their website is not.
Marine guidance note 364 clarifies the issue in paragraph 2.3 which says,
" Vessels crossing a TSS must do so on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the direction of traffic flow. This minimises the time a crossing vessel is in the lane irrespective of the tidal stream, and should lead to a clear encounter situation with vessels passing through the main traffic lanes."

I really thought everyone knew and understood this!

The MGN contains a lot of additional information relating specifically to the Dover Strait TSS.
 
Heading at 90 degrees to the lane - tide will no doubt take you off sideways but it is the heading that is crucial - although we've done 5 degrees either way with no bother or guilt. In the central reservation you can make down to Boulogne before reverting to 90 degrees again. Tides are stronger over the other side so make them work for you otherwise the stretch from the Cap down to Boulogne becomes a slow slog. Have a good trip.
 
IW395 - refer to Rule 10e. You should not even be in a separation zone unless you are going to cross it or fish in it or maintain a buoy or pipeline in it or you have a problem. I am taking a generic case here in as much as a separation zone is of course designed to segregate the traffic per se. It's not for arsing about in - unless of course you are a fisherman and then you can do your own thing! The Dover Straits scheme by necessity is somewhat more complex - the purple bits aren't exactly straight! Just as important is to remember that a vessel of less than 20m in length and a sailing vessel should not impede the safe passage of a power driven vessel following a traffic lane.
 
The original question was 'must you cross a separation zone on a perpendicular heading'. Or that's my interpretation.
The rules do not require that.
It may for instance be prudent to spend some time on the other tack in the separation zone, point higher, or even loiter or circle there to allow ships to pass. It is true you should not generally enter the separation zone, other than for the purpose of crossing it or joining a traffic lane.
Rule 10h contains sound words: Avoid TSS by as wide a margin as possible!
 
10e says: A vessel, other than a crossing vessel or a vessel joining or leaving a lane shall not normally enter a separation zone or cross a separation line except:
in cases of emergency to avoid immediate danger;
to engage in fishing within a separation zone.

It doesn't say what course a crossing vessel should follow when in a the separation zone, and if it's necessary to make an alteration in the Sepzone so that your course will be correct AND take you more closely to your destination when crossing the next traffic lane, then that would be entirely legitimate. Racing around doing doughnuts for the fun of it would not be.
 
Severnman is absolutely correct, and from this side of the Channel it is something very rigidly enforced. Try hanging about for too long in the Seperation Zone and you are likely to have the Abeille Bourbon / Liberte alongside fairly shortly,. or at the very least a fairly irritated call from Joborg or Corsen. Can't speak for Gris Nez, they're are funny lot up there, too close to the rosbifs /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I wouldn't try tangling too long with the fishermen in the ITZ either, come to that, but that's a different matter.
 
Iw395, not sure what more I can say other than reread 10c. The implication (whether expicitly stated or not) is that you will cross trafic lanes at right angles and thus de facto the separation zone. Splitting hairs? It's your call but transgressions of Rule 10 in the Dover Straits whether by professional mariners or yachtsmen are dealt with severely by Dover CG. As VicS points out MGN 364 gives good guidance and advises you are being watched! Sorry Twister, your arguement is wrong and not at all legitimate. It is irrelevant if such a course takes you to your destination faster, it is the importance of crossing at right angles and clearing the lanes in the shortest possible time that is the issue. Such an arguement could lead to wholesale abuse of the very principles that TSSs were adopted for in the first place. If you have isssues with tacking etc then the advice has been to motor sail accordingly. Happy (safe) sailing.
 
No where does it say that the sepzone has to be crossed at right angles.

RULE 10
TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEMES

(a) This Rule applies to traffic separation schemes adopted by the Organization [Intl] and does not relieve any vessel of her obligation under any other rule.

(b) A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall:
Proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane.
So far as is practicable keep clear of a traffic separation line or separation zone.
Normally join or leave a traffic lane at the termination of the lane, but when joining or leaving from either side shall do so at as small an angle to the general direction of traffic flow as practicable.

(c) A vessel, shall so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes but if obliged to do so shall cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.

(d) A vessel shall not use an inshore traffic zone when she can safely use the appropriate traffic lane within the adjacent traffic separation scheme. However, vessels of less than 20 meters in length, sailing vessels and vessels engaged in fishing may use the inshore traffic zone.
Notwithstanding subparagraph (d)(i), a vessel may use an inshore traffic zone when en route to or from a port, offshore installation or structure, pilot station or any other place situated within the inshore traffic zone, or to avoid immediate danger.

e) A vessel, other than a crossing vessel or a vessel joining or leaving a lane shall not normally enter a separation zone or cross a separation line except:
in cases of emergency to avoid immediate danger;
to engage in fishing within a separation zone.

(f) A vessel navigating in areas near the terminations of traffic separation schemes shall do so with particular caution.

(g) A vessel shall so far as practicable avoid anchoring in a traffic separation scheme or in areas near its terminations.

(h) A vessel not using a traffic separating scheme shall avoid it by as wide a margin as is practicable.

(i) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any vessel following a traffic lane.

(j) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a power-driven vessel following a traffic lane.

(k) A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when engaged in an operation for the maintenance of safety of navigation in a traffic separation scheme is exempted from complying with this Rule to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.

(l) A vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when engaged in an operation for the laying, servicing or picking up of a submarine cable, within a traffic separation scheme, is exempted from complying with this Rule to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.
 
[ QUOTE ]
No where does it say that the sepzone has to be crossed at right angles

[/ QUOTE ] Quite but 10e might be the sticking point.
If you are sailing along the sep'n zone you aren't crossing it so you shouldn't be there. If you want to sail along the line of the scheme you should be in one of the lanes or preferably elsewhere. (emergencies and fishing excepted)

Maybe
 
Question to no poster in particular but just want clarification/confirmation.

Crossing a TSS with wind on the nose for a sailing boat would mean crossing at approx 45deg.

Does this mean you cannot sail across a TSS and should drop sails and motor across assuming you have a motor?
 
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