Page 27 - CHIRP annual digest 2016.pdf

CHIRPAnnual Digest 2016

CPAs after the turn. Use Automatic Identification System the SW-bound ship placed herself for a period on a steady
(AIS) in which other ships’ course alterations change can bearing.
become apparent almost immediately, and in which track
data can assist in the assessment of a ship’s destination Extracts from the information received by CHIRP
and therefore probable intention. Beware bridge over - At approaches to Westhinder, ship 2 in the sketch was
load, especially in heavy shipping and complex situations. observed in the SW lane off Westhinder light tower. Own
Both are almost certain to apply in TSSs. Brief and vessel was proceeding in the opposite direction in NE lane,
motivate lookouts, and bring an additional officer to the passing close to Bergues North buoy, being overtaken by
bridge if in doubt. Be conscious of the speed at which a Ro-Ro ship (ship 3 in the sketch) on port quarter; (ship
events can unfold. At 35 knots closing speed, two ships 2) was then observed turning slowly to port and crossing
close by over 2 nautical miles in 4 minutes. Dangerous the dividing line into the NE lane with a CPA of 3 cables
situations, increasing the risk of misjudgement or a to own vessel and collision course with (ship 3 in the
mistaken understanding of another ship’s intentions, can reporter’s sketch). I called on VHF 60, no answer …
develop very quickly. eventually (place) approach contacted ship 2 on VHF16
asking what were his intentions and that VHF 60 must be
The above article was published in MFB42
monitored … which then occurred, with (ship 2) turning
back to starboard on the extreme edge of the separation
Article. 23 scheme.
The Perils in Traffic sSeparation The reporter offered the view that ship 2 was not keeping

Schemes (TSSs) a proper lookout, was not monitoring her position, and was
What did the reporter tell us? in contravention of Rule 10 (TSSs). She also failed to
The reporter’s ship, while heading NE in the Westhinder respond on the VTS channel for that sector and placed
TSS, experienced a tight closest point of approach (CPA) own vessel and another in a potentially dangerous
with another ship in the opposite lane that veered slowly situation. He noted that the standard of English was poor
onto the separation line, before turning slowly back to his in VHF communication, that he (the reporter) was tightly
own lane. This happened while the reporter’s ship was constrained to starboard by the Bergues North buoy, and
being overtaken on his port side by a third ship with which that visibility was good.

West Hinder Bank

West Hinder Lt

251°
2
069°

061° 3 1
Bergues N buoy 1: Reporter’s vessel
2. Other vessel
3. Ro Ro vessel

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