Rule 10 Traffic Separation Schemes

Traffic Separation Schemes — International

(a) This rule applies to traffic separation schemes adopted by the Organization and does not relieve any vessel of her obligation under any other rule.

(b) A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall:

(i) proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane,

(ii) so far as practicable keep clear of a traffic separation line or separation zone,

(iii) normally join or leave a traffic lane at the termination of the lane, but when joining or leaving from either side shall do so at as small an angle to the general direction of traffic flow as practicable.

(c) A vessel shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes but, if obliged to do so, shall cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.

(d) (i) A vessel shall not use an inshore traffic zone when it can safely use the appropriate traffic lane within the adjacent traffic separation scheme. However, vessels of less than 20 metres in length, sailing vessels and vessels engaged in fishing may use the inshore traffic zone.

(ii) Notwithstanding subparagraph (i), a vessel may use an inshore traffic zone when en route to or from a port, an offshore installation or structure, a pilot station or any other place situated within the inshore traffic zone or to avoid immediate danger.

(e) A vessel other than a crossing vessel or a vessel joining or leaving a lane shall not normally enter a separation zone or cross a separation line except

(i) in cases of emergency to avoid immediate danger, or

(ii) to engage in fishing within a separation zone.

(f) A vessel navigating in areas near the terminations of traffic separation schemes shall do so with particular caution.

(g) A vessel shall so far as practicable avoid anchoring in a traffic separation scheme or in areas near its terminations.

(h) A vessel not using a traffic separation scheme shall avoid it by as wide a margin as is practicable.

(i) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any vessel following a traffic lane.

(j) A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a power-driven vessel following a traffic lane.

(k) A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre when engaged in an operation for the maintenance of safety of navigation in a traffic separation scheme is exempted from complying with this Rule to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.

(l) A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre when engaged in an operation for the laying, servicing or picking up of a submarine cable, within a traffic separation scheme, is exempted from complying with this Rule to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.

Traffic Separation Schemes — Canadian Modifications

(m) Subject to paragraphs (q) and (r), paragraphs (b) to (l) apply to traffic separation schemes described in any current Notice to Mariners or Navigational Warning.

(m.1) [Repealed, SOR/2008-272, s. 11]

(n) A vessel shall use the mandatory routing system, if any, required for its category or the cargo carried that is adopted by the Organization and is described in the publication entitled Ships’ Routeing, as amended from time to time, and shall conform to the relevant provisions in force.

(n.1) [Repealed, SOR/2008-272, s. 11]

(o) A power-driven vessel of more than 20 metres in length shall use a traffic separation scheme and the associated routing system, if any, by which it can safely proceed to its destination, that are adopted by the Organization as recommendations and that are in force and described in the publication Ships’ Routeing, as amended from time to time.

(p) The requirements set out in paragraph (n) or (o) do not apply if there are compelling reasons not to use a particular traffic separation scheme or routing system, and the reasons shall be recorded in the vessel’s logbook.

(q) Paragraphs (b), (c) and (h) do not apply to a vessel engaged in fishing with nets, lines, trawls, trolling lines or other fishing apparatus in or near a routing system located in Canadian waters or fishing zones.

(r) Paragraphs (b), (c), (e) and (h) do not apply to a vessel engaged in laying, servicing or picking up a navigation mark, submarine cable or pipeline, dredging, surveying, underwater operations or launching or recovering aircraft in or near a routing system located in Canadian waters or fishing zones, where that vessel

(i) does not prevent other vessels that use the route from navigating safely,

(ii) identifies itself to approaching vessels and informs them of the location and nature of its operation and of its intentions, and

(iii) informs the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, as soon as possible before the commencement of the operation, of

(A) the nature, location and duration of the operation, and

(B) any necessary cautionary advice concerning the operation.

(s) A vessel making a transatlantic voyage shall, as far as practicable, avoid crossing the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and Labrador north of 43° north latitude.