Helpful Tips On Crossing Shipping Lanes

It is vital that you exercise extreme caution when crossing shipping lanes

. Always give enough distance and warning and pay attention to the weather conditions and how this may affect you and your vessel.

Some of the worlds shipping lanes have very high volumes of traffic. This can make crossing lanes all the more difficult. The Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) has been designed to make crossing lanes easier.

What is the TSS?

A traffic management system makes up the TSS. The TSS is designed for busy shipping areas.. The systems themselves are call the TSS and they are governed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Each TSS has a lane in each direction and in between these lanes is what is referred to as a 'no go' area. So a ship in a specified lane should only sail in the direction of that lane. When a ship wants to cross a traffic lane in needs to go at a right angle.

The Dover Straight is one of the seas most busiest shipping lanes and has around 400 commercial vessels utilising it every day. Fast passenger boats, heavy traffic and extreme weather all make the Dover Straights a tough crossing.. Passage here is complicated and extreme care should be taken.

It is always important to keep up-to-date with the latest TSS regulations to ensure that if there are changes you are aware. Misuse the TSS and there are strict consequences and prosecutions.

How to cross safely?

Common sense is one of the best things you can use..

Slow down - Bear in mind the size of your vessel and its weight.. Slow down with time to spare..

Judge distances - Don't be fooled by a far off ship.. It can very quickly turn into a far larger than anticipated vessel as it gets closer. Judge your distance..

Change course - If you fear that you may collide with a vessel then change your course. If you are smaller than the oncoming vessel then you need to take control of the situation and aim to move..

Helpful hints

Have a look-out crew who can keep an eye out for you and survey the situation.

Don't always assume that you have been spotted properly by the other vessel.

Make sure all lights on board are in full working order. Night time is very different to day time sailing. Keep someone on look-out throughout the night to give you that extra pair of eyes.

An Automatic Identification System or an AIS will come in use.. A collision avoidance device which lets you and other ships know about your speeds, direction and ways of contacting them. But be sure not to rely on this 100% as errors can occur.

Always remember to follow the rules of the sea. Don't assume that other vessels will pay attention. Preempt a situation and always exercise caution..

Be prepared and make sure that your crew are well trained. All of this should mean a safe and happy crossing.

by: Simon White

POST COMMENT

How To Make Choice Of International Shipping Companies Let A Baggage Shipping Firm Lend A Helping Hand Planning A Last-minute Break? Try Baggage Shipping Save Money By Shipping Baggage Overseas Lighten The Load With Baggage Shipping Does Leimo Offer Free Shipping Order? Hurdles About Shipping From America To Australia Hoodwinked Shipping To Italy: For You The Most Reliable One In The Field Wholesale Jewelry Beads For Christmas On Free Shipping The Shipping Forecast - The Western Area, Lundy To South East Iceland Dont Spend A Fortune On International Shipping Parcel Shipping Is Easier With A Courier Don't Get On The Wrong Side Of Customs When You're Shipping Abroad