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Rule 10: Traffic Separation Schemes

  1. This Rule applies to traffic separation schemes adopted by the Organization and does not relieve any vessel of her obligation under any other Rule.
  2. A vessel using a traffic separation scheme shall:
    1. proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane;
    2. so far as practicable keep clear of a traffic separation line or separation zone.
    3. normally join or leave a traffic lane at the termination of the lane, but when joining or leaving from either side shall do so at as small an angle to the general direction of traffic flow as practicable.
  3. A vessel shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes but if obliged to do so shall cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.
    1. A vessel shall not use an inshore traffic zone when she can safely use the appropriate traffic lane within the adjacent traffic separation scheme. However, vessels of less than 20 metres in length, sailing vessels and vessels engaged in fishing may use the inshore traffic zone.
    2. Notwithstanding sub-paragraph (d)(i), a vessel may use an inshore traffic zone when en route to or from a port, offshore installation or structure, pilot station or any other place situated within the inshore traffic zone, or to avoid immediate danger.
  4. A vessel other than a crossing vessel or a vessel joining or leaving a lane shall not normally enter a separation zone or cross a separation line except:
    1. in cases of emergency to avoid immediate danger;
    2. to engage in fishing within a separation zone.
  5. A vessel navigating in areas near the terminations of traffic separation schemes shall do so with particular caution.
  6. A vessel shall so far as practicable avoid anchoring in a traffic separation scheme or in areas near its terminations.
  7. A vessel not using a traffic separation scheme shall avoid it by as wide a margin as is practicable.
  8. A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any vessel following a traffic lane.
  9. A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a power-driven vessel following a traffic lane.
  10. A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre when engaged in an operation for the maintenance of safety of navigation in a traffic separation scheme is exempted from complying with this Rule to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.
  11. A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre when engaged in an operation for the laying, servicing or picking up of a submarine cable, within a traffic separation scheme, is exempted from complying with this Rule to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.

What this means:

Rule 10: Traffic Separation Schemes – Our plain English guide to help you understand & remember this rule.

Traffic separation schemes (TSSs) are marked on charts and usually have no physical boundaries, although buoys may mark particular points, often with special marks. While no one is obligated to use them, and vessels under 20m are not explicitly banned, anyone entering or in a TSS must abide by its rules.

Many skippers choose to avoid them and make good use of the exemption granted by using the inshore separation scheme.

Usage & Crossing Rules

If using the TSS or intending to cross one, in addition to our requirement not to impede the path of any power-driven vessel using it, we must follow some other rules.

Key Point:
Vessels less than 20m in length can use or cross a TSS but are obliged to follow the appropriate rules & shall not impede a power-driven vessel using the separation scheme.