IMO documents relating to pilotage or pilot training and certification In 2003 the IMO Assembly adopted Resolution A.960(23) Recommendations on training and certification

and operational procedures for maritime pilots other than deep-sea pilots. IMO Resolutions encouraging the use of pilots on board ships in certain areas are:

• Resolution A.480(IX) (adopted in 1975) recommends the use of qualified deep-sea pilots in the Baltic and Resolution A.620(15) (adopted 1987) recommends that ships with a draught of 13 metres or more should use the pilotage services established by Coastal States in the entrances to the Baltic Sea.

• Resolution A.486(XII) (adopted 1981) recommends the use of deep-sea pilots in the North Sea, English Channel and Skagerrak.

• Resolution A.579(14) (adopted 1985) recommends that certain oil tankers, all chemical carriers and gas carriers and ships carrying radioactive material using the Sound (which separates Sweden and Denmark) should use pilotage services.

• Resolution A.668(16) (adopted 1989) recommends the use of pilotage services in the Euro-Channel and IJ-Channel (in the Netherlands); IMO Resolution MEPC.133(53), which recommends that Governments recognize the need for effective protection of the Torres Strait and inform ships flying

their flag that they should act in accordance with Australia’s system of pilotage for merchant ships 70m in length and over or oil tankers, chemical tankers, and liquefied gas carriers, irrespective of size, when navigating the Torres Strait and the Great North East Channel.

• Resolution A.827(19) (adopted 1995) on Ships’ Routeing includes in Annex 2 Rules and

Recommendations on Navigation through the Strait of Istanbul, the Strait of Canakkale and the Marmara Sea the recommendation that “Masters of vessels passing through the Straits are strongly recommended to avail themselves of the services of a qualified pilot in order to comply with the requirements of safe navigation.”

• Resolution A.889(21) on Pilot Transfer Arrangements gives recommendations on the construction of pilot ladders.

• Resolution A.960(23) gives recommendations on training and certification and operational procedures for Maritime Pilots other than Deep Sea pilots.

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Photo courtesy of Wasser und Schiffahrtsdirektion (Germany)

6.2 Ships Routeing

The General Provisions on Ships’ Routeing are established by SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 1031

and adopted by IMO Resolution A.572(14). 6.2.1 Objectives

The purpose of ships’ routeing is to improve the safety of navigation in converging areas and in areas where the density of traffic is great or where freedom of movement of shipping is inhibited by restricted sea-room, the existence of obstructions to navigation, limited depths or unfavourable meteorological conditions. Ships’ routeing may also be used for the purpose of preventing or reducing the risk of pollution or other damage to the marine environment caused by ships colliding or grounding in or near environmentally sensitive areas.

The precise objectives of any routeing system will depend upon the particular hazardous circumstances which it is intended to alleviate, but may include some or all of the following:

• the separation of opposing streams of traffic so as to reduce the incidence of head-on encounters; • the reduction of dangers of collision between crossing traffic and shipping in established traffic

lanes;

• the organization of safe traffic flow in areas of concentrated offshore exploration or exploitation; • the organization of traffic flow in or around areas where navigation by all ships or by certain

classes of ship is dangerous or undesirable;

• the organization of safe traffic flow in or around or at a safe distance from environmentally sensitive areas;

• the reduction of risk of grounding by providing special guidance to vessels in areas where water depths are uncertain or critical; and

• the guidance of traffic clear of fishing grounds or the organization of traffic through fishing grounds.

6.2.2 Definitions

The following terms are used in connection with matters related to ships’ routeing:

Approach Channel: An approach channel is defined as any stretch of waterway linking the berths of a

port and the open sea. There are two main types; the seaway or outer channel, and the main approach or inner channel which lies in relatively sheltered waters.

Area to be avoided: A routeing measure comprising an area within defined limits in which either

navigation is particularly hazardous or it is exceptionally important to avoid casualties and which should be avoided by all ships, or certain classes of ship.

Deep-water route: A route within defined limits which have been accurately surveyed for clearance

of sea bottom and submerged obstacles as indicated on the chart.

Established direction of traffic flow: A traffic flow pattern indicating the directional movement of

traffic as established within a traffic separation scheme.

Inshore traffic zone32_{: A routeing measure comprising a designated area between the landward}

boundary of a traffic separation scheme and the adjacent coast, to be used in accordance with the provisions of rule 10(d), as amended, of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs).

mandatory routeing system: A routeing system adopted by the International Maritime Organization,

in accordance with the requirements of SOLAS Regulation V/10, for mandatory use by all ships, certain categories of ships or ship carrying certain cargoes.

No anchoring area: A routeing measure comprising an area within defined limits where anchoring

is hazardous or could result in unacceptable damage to the marine environment. Anchoring in a no anchoring area should be avoided by all ships or certain classes of ships, except in case of immediate danger to the ship or the persons on board.

Precautionary area: A routeing measure comprising an area within defined limits where ships must

navigate with particular caution and within which the direction of traffic flow may be recommended.

Recommended direction of traffic flow: A traffic flow pattern indicating a recommended directional

movement of traffic where it is impractical or unnecessary to adopt an established direction of traffic flow.

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Recommended route: A route of undefined width, for the convenience of ships in transit, which is

often marked by centreline buoys.

Recommended track: A route which has been specially examined to ensure, so far as possible, that it

is free of dangers and along which, ships are advised to navigate.