Ship traffic...

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ancora

ancora

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On this year's Catalina trip we ran into some traffic. Passed by an LCAC off Camp Pendleton, lots of spray, but little wake. Fourteen miles from Avalon, we were passed on our starboard side by an oil tanker, then from our port side by yet another tanker. I was reachin' for the VHF to issue a Securite alert when the CG came on and told one of the tankers to "prepare for boardin" as they were out of the shippin' lanes. Ya gotta wonder what the "short-cut" cost them.
 

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Interesting. Apparently a mandatory traffic-separation scheme exists. Is that also a mandatory pilotage area?
 
If you're going offshore or transit an area with ship traffic, it's a good idea to have the charts. Ships are required to stay in lanes. The CG monitors the lanes like air traffic controllers. Small boats should stay clear and well out of the way of ships.
Since OpenCPN and US charts are free for the downloading, there's no excuse for not having charts.
 

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I find ship traffic interesting. Regarding designated shipping lanes, in my local waters there are only small-boat restrictions on entering the dredged shipping channel in San Pablo Bay (prohibited) and the channel off Port Chicago while there are explosive movements unless the USCG escorts you.

 
Where there is a traffic separation scheme, i.e. charted shipping lanes, vessels that meet the criteria for participation must participate, and other must keep clear of the lanes. It's pretty straight forward.
 
I don't believe that vessels not using the scheme must avoid it.....the shall not impede is the reality...
heck fishing vessels can fish in one as long as they don't impede those following the scheme. Most of us little guys have to cross them, at some point, and you cross at right angles to minimize the time of exposure.

Vessels less than 20 meters can be following one yet they cannot impede larger vessels in one.

Rule 10.
 
Yes, I think you are correct. That's what I meant by "keep clear", but I guess I wasn't clear :). You can cross etc., but you are the give way vessel to anyone participating.
 
What was your approx Lat/Lon and heading?
What was the SECURITY call for?
Ships do leave the TSS all the time to anchor and enter other TSS that are not connected. I dont see your issue with the tankers without knowing where you were.
 
No pilotage required. Both tankers were well out of the shipping lanes and just about "clipping" the east end of the island. My "securite" was to warn boaters in the area of the danger, but the CG beat me to it.
 
ancora said:
My "securite" was to warn boaters in the area of the danger, but the CG beat me to it.
Click to expand...

I don't want to sound negative, but I'm still not getting it. What exactly would the Securite call sound like? I'm thinking, if I'm off shore near a busy shipping port, I sort of expect ships. I'd be looking out the window, and if it's foggy, at the AIS and radar. Either way, I'd be far less worried about hitting a ship than some debris or other hazards.
 
We cross the shipping lane off the coast of Long Beach a few times each month. Radio set to duel watch mode 14 / 16. The VTS conversations on 14 make us aware of approaching ships before we have a visual. I have AIS and radar but prefer CH14.
 
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Looking up the regulations, these Traffic Separation Schemes TSS are not mandatory, but 'recommended.' There is a 'NOAA whale speed zone' there also.

Specifically there is 'an area to be avoided' which pertains to vessels over a certain tonnage. That is the only thing that is mandatory in this area after a quick perusal of the US Coast Pilot for that area.
 
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On that particular day, there was a mainland to island outrigger canoe race. I'm sure the escort boats would have appreciated a "securite" warnin'.
 
ancora said:
On that particular day, there was a mainland to island outrigger canoe race. I'm sure the escort boats would have appreciated a "securite" warnin'.
Click to expand...

I noticed in your original post, you wrote

CG came on and told one of the tankers to "prepare for boardin" as they were out of the shippin' lanes.​

Did the CG simply say to prepare for boarding or did they say anything about shipping lanes and you just assumed it had something to do with shipping lanes?
 
ancora said:
On that particular day, there was a mainland to island outrigger canoe race. I'm sure the escort boats would have appreciated a "securite" warnin'.
Click to expand...
It would be highly unusual for a third party to give a sécurité warning of another vessel. Matter of fact, I can't recall ever hearing one.

Specifically where were you? and where was/were the ship(s)?
 
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The CG informed the tanker that they were out of the shipping lane and to prepare for boarding. The tanker radio operator responded to the CG but I could not understand what he said due to his accent.
 
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