Page 100 - Collision Avoidance Rules Guide

the terminations at all times but this applies especially when the
visibility is restricted.
Anchoring to be avoided
One of the aims of traffic separation is to reduce the speed at which
vessels approach one another by causing traffic to move along the
lanes in the same direction. In a traffic stream a vessel at anchor, or
a vessel underway and stopped, is therefore a source of danger, par-
ticularly in restricted visibility. The direction of the wind or stream
may cause an anchored vessel to lie at a broad angle to the traffic
flow which may result in her being a serious obstruction to traffic in
a narrow traffic lane.
A vessel is also required to avoid anchoring in a traffic separation
zone and in areas near the termination of a lane.

Vessels not using the scheme
Paragraph (h) is intended to apply mainly to vessels proceeding
through the area outside the boundaries specified in the scheme in a
direction opposite to the general direction of flow within the adjacent
lane. The danger of vessels proceeding in opposite directions meet-
ing one another near the outer limits of a lane was referred to on page
74. Paragraph (c) permits vessels to cross at right angles if it is not
practicable to avoid crossing the lanes.
The use of some traffic separation schemes may be mandatory for
all ships, certain categories of ships or ships carrying certain cargoes.
If there is a mandatory requirement to use a traffic separation scheme
Rule 10(h) will not apply.

Vessels engaged in jishing
A vessel is permitted to engage in fishing in traffic separation zones
or traffic lanes provided she does not impede the passage of a vessel
following a lane and does not proceed against the general direction
of flow when fishing within a lane.
The question of whether the Rule might be interpreted as permitting
a vessel engaged in fishing to proceed in a traffic lane in the opposite
direction to the direction of flow was considered at the 1972 Con-
ference. The Conference was categorically of the opinion that no ves-
sel should be allowed to proceed against the direction of the established
flow of traffic in a traffic lane. Opinion was unanimous on this point.

81