From:
Date:
Ref:
Kaimes Beasley
16th December 2009
UC/KB/1209
UNORTHODOX CROSSING OF THE DOVER STRAIT TRAFFIC
SEPARATION SCHEME
1. General
1.1 In the past, many attempts have been made to cross the Dover Strait by
unconventional means and/or in unorthodox craft. It is true to say that few of these
attempts have ended in tragedy and many have been made for the most laudable
reasons. Nevertheless anyone thinking of making such an attempt in the future
should take into account the following factors before proceeding with their plans and
perhaps incurring unnecessary expense.
2. The Dover Strait
2.1 The Dover Strait is the busiest shipping lane in the world. Many of the ships
passing through the Strait carry dangerous cargoes. These cargoes, if
accidentally released into the sea, could have disastrous effects on the
environment, marine life and the coastlines of England, France and the North
Sea States.
2.2 The passage of ships through the Dover Strait is further complicated by the
presence of strong tides, sandbanks, shoals and a great deal of concentrated
cross-channel traffic. Much of the crossing traffic is made up of high-speed
ferries carrying as many as 2400 passengers.
2.3 The very large vessels passing through the Strait can be difficult to
manoeuvre. They may take several miles to stop or turn. Some new
container vessels are 318 metres long, 42 metres wide and service speed is
24 knots (35 mph).
They have to commit themselves to a course of action long before they can
see a swimmer or detect on radar his escort boat, a small rowing dinghy or
any other small craft.
2.4 Weather conditions in the Strait are liable to rapid change. Even in
comparatively light winds, the strong tides can give rise to rough seas with
steep breaking waves. Visibility is often poor, changing quickly to dense fog,
even in strong or gale-force winds, rendering navigation difficult.
3. Traffic Separation Scheme
3.1 Recognising the dangers of navigation in the Dover Strait, a Traffic
Separation Scheme, approved by the International Maritime Organisation,
has been established. Two lanes akin to motorways run through the Strait for
inward and outward-bound traffic.
3.2 The Rules for navigating in or near a Traffic Separation Scheme are
internationally agreed. The basic guidelines to be followed are set out in Rule
10 of the Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of
Collisions)(Amendment) Regulations 1991.
3.3 Taking into account that the word ‘vessel’ includes every description of
watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on
water. Rules 10(c) and 10(j) of the Regulations are particularly relevant to
any plans to cross the Strait in an unorthodox craft or by unconventional
means.
3.4 Rule 10(c) first requires that a vessel shall so far as practicable avoid crossing
traffic lanes or a Traffic Separation Scheme. Secondly, it requires that if a
vessel is obliged to cross traffic lanes it should do so steering at right angles
to the direction of traffic flow.
3.5 Rule 10 (j) requires that 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.
4. National Laws
4.1 The National Laws of both France and the United Kingdom require
compliance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
(see para 3.2).
4.2 In addition, according to French law, vessels are classified according to their
characteristics, such as beach amusement craft, which in French waters are
not allowed to sail more than 300 metres from the coast.
Moreover French Law makes it compulsory for organisers of any regattas,
racing events, etc., to inform the French Administration in advance.
5. Unconventional Crossings of the Dover Strait in Unorthodox Craft
5.1 Most of the unorthodox craft used in attempts to cross the Dover Strait are
very small and have limited speed and ability to manoeuvre. They are not
adequate for deep-sea navigation in a heavy traffic area. Their presence, or
that of a group of them in the Dover Strait, will dangerously impede the
vessels in the traffic lanes and may lead to a marine casualty.
5.2 It is the view of the Anglo/French Safety of Navigation Group that such
crossings are highly irresponsible, and that potential participants must be
persuaded to look for a challenge elsewhere, in areas where they do not
constitute a hazard to other people going about their lawful activities.
5.3 As clearly stated in 4.2 above the Maritime Prefect of the Channel and the
North Sea has issued an order (No 14/93) expressly forbidding swimming and
associated activity of an unorthodox nature within the Dover Strait Traffic
Separation Scheme, within French territorial waters. The sole events
excluded from the prohibition are those Cross Channel swimming attempts
organised and approved by the Channel Swimming Association (CSA) and
the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation (CS&PF).
5.4 Unorthodox craft, which are characterised by slow speed and poor or nonexistent
manoeuvrability, such as tyres, bathtubs, rafts and pedalos, are not
authorised to proceed more than 300 metres from the French coast. As a
consequence they do not have the right to sail in French territorial waters
within the Pas de Calais Traffic Separation Scheme. The French Maritime
Authorities prohibit crossings of the Pas de Calais by unorthodox craft setting
out from the French coast. The same applies to beach pleasure craft.
However, in exceptional cases the French Maritime Authorities may grant
authority for unorthodox craft to cross French territorial waters within the
Traffic Separation Scheme when these craft set off from the British coast on
condition that the request for authorisation is sent to them with the opinion of
the British Maritime Authorities. The address where requests for permission
should be sent to the French Maritime Administration is shown below under
‘IMPORTANT ADDRESSES’. It should be noted that as of September 2009,
the French Maritime Authority require written requests only and that telephone
or email enquires will not be responded to.
5.5 If however, after the above advice you still intend to proceed with an
unconventional crossing, for example by swimming in or under the water or in
any craft, structure or floating object other than a vessel adapted or intended
to be used for a sea voyage, you should:
a be aware you may contravene French Law and be subsequently
apprehended and charged by the French Authorities;
b be aware that you could be faced with liability for damages if you
contributed to an incident involving other persons or vessels, and
should consider obtaining insurance cover against such events;
c inform both Dover MRCC or CROSS Gris Nez of the plan;
d use an escort boat properly equipped to ensure the safety of your
crossing and which complies with the Merchant Shipping (Small Work
Boats and Pilot Boats) Regulations.
E be aged 16 or over on the date of the attempt.
IMPORTANT ADDRESSES ARE:
UK COASTGUARD
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency
HM Coastguard,
Langdon Battery
Swingate
DOVER
Kent CT15 5NA
Tel: +44 (0)1304 218500 (Office hours)
+44 (0)1304 210008 (H24)
Fax: +44 (0)1304 218505 (Office hours)
+44 (0)1304 202137 (H24)
Email: channel.navigation@mcga.gov.uk
wm.dover@mcga.gov.uk (H24)
Web site: www.mcga.gov.uk
FRENCH MARITIME AUTHORITY
Requests for permission:
Channel Crossing Permissions
Division action de l’Etat en mer
50115 Cherbourg
Octeville
CEDEX
France
FRENCH COASTGUARD
CROSS Gris-Nez
Audinghen 62179
Wissant
FRANCE
Telephone: (00 33) 3 21 87 21 87
Fax: (00 33) 3 21 87 78 55
Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CS&PF)
Secretary: Michael Oram
Tel: +44 (0)1843 852858
Email: michael.oram@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.channelswimming.net
Channel Swimming Association (CSA)
Secretary: Julie Bradshaw
Tel/fax: + 44 (0)1509 554137
Email: swimsecretary@ntlworld.com
Website: http://www.channelswimmingassociation.com
Channel Crossing Association (CCA)
Secretary: Andy King
Tel: +44 (0)1622 207134
Email: seakingboat@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.channelcrossingassociation.com
CNIS Manager
Dover MRCC
DDI: +44 1304 218503
MOB: +44 7730 812921
FAX: +44 1304 218505Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source