Traffic separation area

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Representation of traffic separation areas in the nautical map

A traffic separation zone (abbreviation VTG or English TSS for traffic separation scheme is) in shipping an area of waterways with separate lanes for different directions of travel. Most of the time, VTG are used to channel the traffic at bottlenecks or capes and to generate the most homogeneous traffic flow possible in order to reduce the risk of collisions. The driving rules in a VTG are set out in rule 10 of the collision prevention rules.

Traffic separation areas are, for example, in the middle of the English Channel or in the German Bay at a distance of several nautical miles from the coastline. The coastal traffic zone is located between the coastline and the traffic separation area . Traffic separation areas are structured in a similar way to motorways and consist of zones assigned for each direction of travel as well as a dividing line or dividing zone in the middle, which is prohibited. The outer borders and the center line are usually marked by sea ​​signs at a distance of several nautical miles. The exact geographical locations of the traffic separation areas are shown in the official nautical charts with the assigned directions of travel. Motor ships over 20 meters in length must use the traffic separation areas. Smaller vehicles and sailing ships, on the other hand, are allowed to use the coastal traffic zone.

Rules for crossing a traffic separation area

Crossing a VTG:
above without current,
below with strong current from the left
  • Crossing a traffic separation area should be avoided if possible.
  • If a traffic separation area is crossed anyway, then at a right angle to the general direction of traffic in order to make it clear that it is being crossed and not being driven by another maneuver (e.g. overtaking).
  • In the event of a current or strong wind that moves the boat, it is important to keep the keel direction at right angles to the general direction of traffic in order to cross the traffic separation area as quickly as possible. The course over the ground may deviate from the right angle.

Very long traffic separation areas are usually interrupted for a short distance every 30 nautical miles to make it easier for ships to cross. These points are marked on the nautical chart as dashed arrows (see figure above). A wrong crossing can result in a fine of 150 euros.

Avoidance rules in VTG

Ships in VTG must avoid one another in accordance with the collision prevention rules . Unlike on sea ​​waterways , ships that follow the VTG in the general direction of traffic have no fundamental right of way over vehicles that cross the VTG or enter it from the side. Vehicles on the VTG one-way path must always avoid sailing vehicles that are crossing or entering, and they must avoid other crossing or entering machine vehicles if they have them on their starboard side.

However, strictly speaking , vehicles less than 20 meters in length and sailing vehicles are not allowed to make use of this right of way , as they are prohibited from obstructing vehicles on the VTG one-way route and may not force them to swerve. This applies e.g. B. also for fishing vessels, which machine and sailing vessels would otherwise have to avoid according to rule 18 KVR. If there is an impending collision (e.g. due to negligence or an unforeseen event), then a vehicle on the one-way route must behave towards another vehicle in accordance with the KVR and, if necessary, evade.

literature

  1. ↑ a b c Axel Bark, Sportküstenschifferschein + Sportbootführerschein See , Delius-Klasing-Verlag, 9th edition, ISBN 978-3-7688-2477-4 , page 224 (drawing) and page 312, question 97
  2. ↑ a b c Archived copy ( memento of the original from March 10, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Rule 10c @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.elwis.de
  3. ↑ a b c Archived copy ( memento of the original from July 25, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Question 97 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.elwis.de
  • Safety on the water , brochure of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development, as of April 2019, page 41
  • W. Paul: collision prevention rules , DSV-Verlag 1998, ISBN 3-88412-298-3 , pp. 58-76
  • Müller / Krauss: Handbuch für die Schiffsführung , Volume 2, Part A, 9th edition, Springer Verlag 1988, ISBN 3-540-17939-9 , pp. 16-18
  • AN Cockcroft, JNF Lameijer: A Guide to the Collision Avoidance Rules , 6th Edition, Elsevier 2001, ISBN 0-7506-6179-8 , pp. 68-84

Web links