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Crossing Traffic Separation Schemes

Posted by: Dave Latham, on: Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Above shows the tracks of the competing yachts in this years Barcelona World Race as they passed through the Straits of Gibraltar in light winds and strong tides. Whilst I respect the difficulty of the passage under sail alone, it raises the issue of: Have they complied with or ignored the rules for crossing Trafffic Separation Schemes? All your comments and thoughts will be gratefully appreciated and published.

Comments

1/5/2011 8:47:59 AM #

I have always wondered about this, Its clearly not part of the racing rules, or is it? Maybe something for the ISAF or even the RYA to answer

Tom | Reply

1/5/2011 9:41:22 AM #

I suppose it depends on the status given to the race. If it's deemed important enough, would they stop the usual flow of maritime traffic for the race participants to be able to cross freely? I guess they wouldn't run the Monaco Grand Prix with the usual town traffic flowing(!) However if not (and I doubt it as it opens all sorts of cans of worms), then they should respect the rules and cross as close to 90 degrees as possible, as quickly as possible. It's the same for all yachts, so nobody is handicapped any more than any other.

Richard Rowe | Reply

1/5/2011 1:48:03 PM #

I think it´s clear that they are not recreational boats, as professionals they have the rights to pass the Strait accepting and assuming the rules for non collision at sea.
Regards and happy new year.

Gabriel Medina Martin | Reply

1/5/2011 8:04:26 PM #

Lets see which route Hugo Boss takes when they get there now the wind has increased.

Jackie | Reply

1/5/2011 8:26:12 PM #

In the races run by Challenge Business, the yachts had to abide by Colregs. There was more than one protest and penalty given for TSS violations that I remember.

Kerry Dye | Reply

1/6/2011 11:01:26 AM #

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

But in my opinion
I would try to cross as they did, just trying not to disturb the power driven vessels as the rules say, and calling them if any doubt, asking to alter her course if it is safe and if they don't mind.

but what I also think there is enough room for every body in the strait, it looks like there isn't if you see on a computer but I think there is room enough
I usually sail in the strait and never had a problem, I used to alter the course to ...avoid vessels but if ia am out of the VTS i try to follow the navigation rules, carefully because the big fish eats the small fish

daniel | Reply

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