TSS

deep denial

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Regarding trafic separation schemes, the coregs dissuade yachts from crossing them - but why? surely they are the most logical place to cross, as you know from which direction the ships are coming, and that they will keep to their course. And wherever you cross, you will encounter the same number of ships. Ouzo showed that course changes can be the most dangerous feature of big ships. I think that small yachts should activelyl try to cross in the tss - what do others think?
 

Dyflin

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Um, traffic separation schemes? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Where does it say that yachts shouldn't cross them in the colregs?
 

Topcat47

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Traffic (not tidal) Separation Schemes are designed to prevent ships ploughing up and down from running into each other head on. For this reason alone, no prudent Yachtie would sail in them.

The colregs require vessels crossing them to do so at right angles, so as to spend as little time as possible within their boundaries.....again a prudent precaution for small boats.

I've crossed the one west of Cherbourg a number of times without problems, however, the ships using it tend to follow in each others' wake. I do my best to keep out of their way and despite my Radar Reflector, never go near them in poor vis, although a clear night passage is another matter.

Notwothstanding the Ouzo incident, I think it's best to keep a good lookout and keep out of the way of any ships, though this is easier said than done in the Solent.
 

Robin

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If you sail out of Poole as in your profile the nearest TSS is Casquets and would not be on any normal route like Poole - Cherbourg or Poole to St Peter Port or Alderney so it would mean a big detour to cross at a TSS. Anyway the traffic is generally lined up in straight lines between the TSSs so no problem really other than for ships leaving/joining the queue to/from ports either side. Ships generally don't start wandering about once they leave the TSS, they just take the shortest route to the next one along their way unless they have somewhere between to visit.

Ouzo is making folks paranoid IMO and they could hardly have gone on their way from the IOW via a TSS as none exist until Casquets or Dover.

Personally I prefer not to be in a TSS (but wouldn't detour to miss one, just obey the rules) as I prefer not to be restricted in the course I can steer whilst in it.
 

narooma

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My preference would be to use a TSS to cross (at right angles) as it is safer at that point than near the start/end. (Assuming that I needed to cross that stetch of water in first inst.)
 

PhilipH

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Had a very interesting experience crossing the TSS at Rathlin/Mull of Kintyre two weeks ago. We were sailing across close hauled and as close as dammit at 90 degrees to the lanes, heading north. Unfortunately we were very close to where the lanes make a marked change in direction from SE/NW to ESE/WNW. So we are watching a rather large submarine on the surface clearly following the lanes and leaving the Clyde for the Atlantic, and it looks like we are on a collision course, but we bide our time until we are sure, then we make a very clear and marked course change bearing away to the east to pass astern of the submarine. Seems Ok until 60 seconds later the submarine changed course towards us cos he is at the turning point in the TSS. That's OK cos we then harden up and return to our original course and clear ahead of the submarine.

This was broad daylight - we would have been much more uncomfortable at night, but the key lesson is stay away from points where TSS's change direction. Other than that, no probs with TSS's.
 
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