two white lights

[Cotillion]

I came back from Belgium Saturday night. Approaching the TSS I saw many boats showing two alround white lights both sides of the lanes and in the dual carriagey bit in the middle, as well as (too) many showing nav lights. I was confused for a while but can only conclude that they were at anchor. Another large vessel seemed to be going around "visiting" them and I had to make several course alterations to miss him. At one she seemed to stop off our port bow and shined a bright light at us. If I haven't misinterpreted then I wonder what they were doing. Any clues?

Kim

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[Phoenix of Hamble]

Kim,

Unlikely to be anchored in TSS.... Traffic Control would have a dicky fit!

2 all-round whites, as I am sure you are aware, is a powered vessel under way of greater than 50m... but would expect to seen side lights and stern lights as well....

Other than that, could have been a towed vessel, partially submerged, which is required to show alround white at extremities.... and maybe would explain the 'support' boat!

Does seem strange though......

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[Cotillion]

I did not count them but there many (up to twenty) vessels. From memory two white lights is vessel over 50m at anchor (highest light at the bow). On the way out in daylight there were vessels fishing the seperation zone. As this was my first crossing I speak with no authority. It just seemed weird, especially when the support vessel came and had a look at us.

Kim

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[AndrewB]

There is a major deepwater anchorage at Dyke off Gravelines, immediately to the south of the TSS , and near the Dunkerque channel on the route to Belgium. There are nearly always at least 5 ships waiting.

When the tide gets strong they look like they are moving in consort. (If you wait for them to go by -- cf recent postings on how to cross Shipping Lanes -- you'll wait a long time!)

Its a good fishing area and the moving vessel may have been a trawler. French Customs very occasionally make a visit. Or it could have been a ship coming in to anchor, they do seem to need to manoevre a surprising amount while finding a suitable spot.

French fishing boats are quite often found in the separation zone, specially at night, they seem to rest there when working the lanes themselves.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Yes, Sorry, didn't make myself clear.... would need the side and stern lights as well, otherwise would indicate 'at anchor'..... however, 'partially submerged tow' lights apply to vessel or groups of vessels, and are still shown at extremities, so could still be the case..... but I've never seen it before other than in books...

Fishing in the TSS is a no no, but I have seen it happening on many occasions.... especially at the western end where there is a bit more space!

Another explanation could be a breakdown, where the master might have dropped his hook...., and hence at anchor, but that might not easily explain all the boats though, as if the breakdown was over 100m (which would maybe explain the large supporting cast), then he would also have to show his deck lights....

Unfortunately, the most likely explanation is one of someone completely ignoring ColRegs..... or maybe its Mulder and Scully back /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

Despite all of this... how was your first crossing? quite an experience isn't it!

Addendum:

Andrew, just read your post.... being a western end sailor, wasn't aware of this anchorage, but would explain it completely!<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by NAS on 23/08/2004 14:38 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[AlexL]

There is a large anchorage near the TSS on the belgian side of the TSS, we have been through it a few times and there were always quite a number of vessels in it - the lights would indicate someone at anchor so maybe this was it.

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[peterb]

Fishing in a TSS is OK. Thats why Rule 10(i) says "A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any vessel following a traffic lane."

Presumably, though, it can impede crossing vessels, or vessels in the separation zone.

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[Cotillion]

I also had passed through this and crossed the TSS just to the North of Twin Bouy so not these. The plot thickens.

kim

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[Cotillion]

"Despite all of this... how was your first crossing? quite an experience isn't it!
"

It was thoroughly enjoyable however light airs and at times head winds made the use of the engine more neccessary than I would have liked. Going out we never saw a soul in the TSS. The excitment startted when we left Oostend for Holland. Three miles out it seems a blade from the prop decided it had had enough and broke itself off. The vibration caused from having just one blade caused the bolts to the stern tube to loosen and the bottom one fell out. the boat then was taking in water of a tap like proportion but the bilge pump seemed to be coping. For the first five minutes at least and then that went the way of the prop. So to the hand pump, which fortunately I had repaired during the winter. It was then left at intervals to get the dinghy outboard, all 2.5hp of it attached and started to limp back to Oostend where I was charged the princly sum of 750 euros for a new prop. Fortunately the holiday was not lost as we had gone accross with another boat and we were able to jump ship while ours was being repaired. SWMBO however vows never to set foot on it again so bring her back on the bus/ferry/hire car and return the following week for boat.

So yes it was quite an experience. And I think Ienjoyed it.

kim

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[Gunfleet]

horizon effect

This one's easy and doesn't need a complicated explanation... from a yacht's deck you are losing the side lights due to the earth's curvature, so if the vessels are parallel to you (or in front but have gone by the time your slow boat gets there) all you will have seen is the two white lights above the superstructure. It's the same effect as you get with dipping lights and looms - you remember that bit from the almanac? On a 50metre plus ship the lower white light should be towards the direction they are travelling.

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[Doug_Stormforce]

Snap, we were also returning from Belgium (Zeebrugge) but on Friday night.

Sorry to get all Yachtmasterish but to clarify. There are a large number of large ships (two all round white lights, bow and stern) anchored to the SE of the Straits in the "waiting area", many of whom are only just outside the TSS.

Fishing vessels are in fact allowed to fish in the TSS but would not display these lights and do not favour this area due the shipping and strong tides. The French side is however a popular spot.

Two all round whites is not a over 50m making way as her steaming lights should not be seen from astern.

Which route exactly did you follow?

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