Page 95 - Collision Avoidance Rules Guide

of the direction of the wind but an auxiliary engine, if fitted, should
be used in order to cross as nearly as practicable at right angles (see
Marine Guidance Note MGN 200 issued by the Government of the
United Kingdom).
In August 1986 the sail training vessel De Eendrucht, fitted with an
auxiliary engine, was proceeding under sail only on a passage from
Heligoland to Terschelling. Off Terschelling she crossed the southern
traffic lane of the traffic separation scheme on a course of 192". As the
general direction of traffic flow in the southem lane is 072" a vessel pro-
ceeding towards Terschelling is required to cross on a heading as nearly
as practicable to 162". The officer of the watch of the De Eendrucht
decided to cross on a heading of 192" to avoid the risk of uncontrolled
gybing because the wind direction was approximately 340".
The officer of the watch of the De Eendrucht was subsequently
prosecuted in a Court in Amsterdam and was found guilty of contra-
vening Rule 1O(c) because he had failed to use the auxiliary engine
to achieve a right-angled crossing.
Where traffic is under surveillance by shore radar equipment
the controlling authorities should make due allowance for the effect
of tide, current or wind in assessing whether a vessel is crossing a
traffic lane as nearly as practicable at right angles to the direction of
traffic flow.
In March 1976 the IMO sub-committee on Safety of Navigation
considered the problem of French fishing vessels crossing the traffic
lanes in the Dover Strait. The sub-committee came to the conclusion

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