Page 31 - CHIRP Annual Digest 2017

CHIRP Annual Digest 2017

Article. 21 ensure this is promulgated to our teams. However, it may
useful to mention that a vessel in this situation may report
Fishing Vessels and Traffic a breach of Collision Regulations to the Coastguard and can
Separation Schemes also do the same within French territorial waters to CROSS
Gris Nez, this would then form a hazardous incident report
which has a specific investigation procedure associated with
OUTLINE: A report of fishing vessels contravening Rule 10 it and can be useful to us to ensure effectiveness of the
in the vicinity of the Foxtrot 3 buoy in the Dover Straits. traffic lanes and maritime safety”.

What the Reporter told us The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations
At least five fishing vessels were noted to be contravening Rule advised that the lack of enforcement in the TSS on the
10 in the English Channel. The vessels were in radar range of French side and even for foreign fishing vessels in the UK
Dover Coast Guard / CROSS Gris Nez Traffic, but none of the side is well known. It is typical for Dover to contact vessels
fishing vessels were called by either station. I have observed to give them a warning and the UK fishing vessels tend to
this numerous times, and have seen many vessels get into react immediately but vessels of other nationalities tend to
difficult situations with fishing boats behaving in this way. At no disregard the warnings. This is an observation rather than a
point were any fishing vessels spoken to by either observing criticism, but without an even-handed approach towards all
station during the course of my four hour watch. vessels it is only encouraging the good vessels to do bad. It
is also highlighted that sometimes tidal streams can affect
The reporter additionally stated the belief that more aware- the speed or drift of fishing vessels and they may not realise
ness from Coast Stations and a stronger stance on COL- they are already within the TSS. They should monitor their
REGS in places such as the English Channel is required, to position regularly.
ensure that there are no collisions caused by the behaviour
of these fishing vessels. CHIRP Comment
Having discussed the report, the Maritime Advisory Board
commented that there is obviously an issue to be resolved,
and took the unusual step of agreeing that the location of
the report be identified in order for the safety lessons to be
promulgated accurately.
Two fishermen
proceeding at 4.6 Another factor for readers to be aware of is the widespread
knots, contrary to use of rotating amber lights by fishermen in addition to the
Rule 10 lights required by COLREGS. This is often confusing and leads
to vessels giving way when they may not be required to do so
Own ship, leaving – hence their popularity with fishing vessels.
fishermen to
starboard Should you find yourself in a position where fishermen are
contravening Rule 10 in the Dover Straits, then CHIRP advice
is to report this to Dover Coast Guard / CROSS Gris Nez as
appropriate in order for them to create a hazardous incident
report and launch an investigation.

The above article was published in MFB48
ECDIS Display of fishermen contravening Rule 10 in the
vicinity of F3 buoy. Article. 22
Further dialogue with the reporter determined that tidal streams Close Call Fishing Vessel and
were against own ship for the transit and that the fishermen a RoRo
were showing a speed over the ground of 4.6 knots. CHIRP
agreed to discuss the matter further with Dover Channel Naviga-
tion Information Service, and national fisheries organisations. OUTLINE: A report outlining a near miss in the Mediterra-
nean Sea that almost resulted in a collision.
What the Third Party told us
Dover Coastguard responded as follows What the Reporter told us:
“We at Dover Coastguard endeavour to ensure full compli- Whilst on watch during the night I heard an Italian fishing
ance with the collision regulations by all vessels using the boat several times calling a ro-ro ferry on VHF channel 16,
Traffic Separation Scheme, and a report and follow up action asking her to keep clear of him as he was trawling and dis-
is always completed on any vessel found to be contravening playing the required navigation and fishing lights. Italian
the regulations, or going against recommended routing. was the language in use. The fisherman also provided his
position and said he had been flashing a light for the last
I will be looking back at the recordings for this incident to five minutes. As he did not receive any answer from the
get a better understanding of it and any follow up action that ro-ro ship, and considering that the vessel had not altered
came from it. If there is any requirement for awareness I will course and speed at all, he had to take evasive action and

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