Hey guys, I got to thinking on this. I sent an email to the marine traffic control system about the scenario around the dive as described.
Here is how one operator looks at the issue of a dive boat encroaching on traffic lanes whilst restricted in ability to manoeuver.
On Friday, September 10, 2010, XPAC CCG MCTS Regional Office Email <mcts@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca> wrote:
Hi,
I'm not a diver but I could give you an educated
response with VTS and traffic management.
If you should happen to drift into a known ferry track
or TSS it would be wise to notify the appropriate traffic centre of your
situation and restrictions. The centre would then advise any relevant
participating traffic of your position. Using good seamanship that vessel
would would then make every effort to stay clear of the area. As you know in the
marine environment everyone likes plenty of notice and no one likes
surprises! Deep sea vessels need plenty of notice to make alterations.
Do you need any info on the MCTS centres or the VTS
channels for the coast?
By the way did you win the bet?
LF
Regional Program Specialist
MCTS Pacific Region
Sent: September 2, 2010 1:04 PM
To: XPAC CCG MCTS Regional
Office Email
Subject: question....
A discussion has come up with a bit of a scenario;
perhaps someone at MCTS can shed light??
If a group of recreational technical divers is required to do approximately
1 hour of decompression, typically it is far easier for them (major pain
otherwise) to do the decompression while drifting free. This allows them to form
up underwater around the surface marker line shaped like spokes on a wheel. When
that line is fixed such as an anchor line, it introduces current which will then
requires a completely different set of procedure to assure proper checks can be
accomplished correctly.
The question is thus:
If a vessel not typically subject to VTS is Restricted Ability to Manoever
and drifts through/into a shipping lane (includes a scheduled ferry route),
would it be unreasonable to make the requisite communications to VTS and
the ferry directly by VHF and inform them of the situation, and would these
ships then in fact be able to steer clear of the diving support vessel??
the key points being that once the dive is initiated, there is NO ability
to communicate with divers on their decompression.
While smaller, the Dive support vessel MAY NOT leave station from the
diver's marker buoy.
If colregs are considered, red over white seems to trump even a ferry on
his run....
I am looking to help out a friendly discussion, not to enter a legal debate
thanks in advance
EDIT
I kind of anticipated this sort of answer when I asked the question. After having participated in the traffic system many moons ago, I thought that up here traffic has a more relaxed attitude about being in "shipping lanes", and as LF stated, with forewarning, most of the big boats out there have room to avoid a dive boat supporting divers. So... According to this, I tend to think possibly running the RAM shapes or lights after having contacted ALL concerned vessels in the area (all boats 60'+ IIRC) by way of VTS pretty much opens the door to drifting the deco...
Here is how one operator looks at the issue of a dive boat encroaching on traffic lanes whilst restricted in ability to manoeuver.
On Friday, September 10, 2010, XPAC CCG MCTS Regional Office Email <mcts@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca> wrote:
Hi,
I'm not a diver but I could give you an educated
response with VTS and traffic management.
If you should happen to drift into a known ferry track
or TSS it would be wise to notify the appropriate traffic centre of your
situation and restrictions. The centre would then advise any relevant
participating traffic of your position. Using good seamanship that vessel
would would then make every effort to stay clear of the area. As you know in the
marine environment everyone likes plenty of notice and no one likes
surprises! Deep sea vessels need plenty of notice to make alterations.
Do you need any info on the MCTS centres or the VTS
channels for the coast?
By the way did you win the bet?
LF
Regional Program Specialist
MCTS Pacific Region
Sent: September 2, 2010 1:04 PM
To: XPAC CCG MCTS Regional
Office Email
Subject: question....
A discussion has come up with a bit of a scenario;
perhaps someone at MCTS can shed light??
If a group of recreational technical divers is required to do approximately
1 hour of decompression, typically it is far easier for them (major pain
otherwise) to do the decompression while drifting free. This allows them to form
up underwater around the surface marker line shaped like spokes on a wheel. When
that line is fixed such as an anchor line, it introduces current which will then
requires a completely different set of procedure to assure proper checks can be
accomplished correctly.
The question is thus:
If a vessel not typically subject to VTS is Restricted Ability to Manoever
and drifts through/into a shipping lane (includes a scheduled ferry route),
would it be unreasonable to make the requisite communications to VTS and
the ferry directly by VHF and inform them of the situation, and would these
ships then in fact be able to steer clear of the diving support vessel??
the key points being that once the dive is initiated, there is NO ability
to communicate with divers on their decompression.
While smaller, the Dive support vessel MAY NOT leave station from the
diver's marker buoy.
If colregs are considered, red over white seems to trump even a ferry on
his run....
I am looking to help out a friendly discussion, not to enter a legal debate
thanks in advance
EDIT
I kind of anticipated this sort of answer when I asked the question. After having participated in the traffic system many moons ago, I thought that up here traffic has a more relaxed attitude about being in "shipping lanes", and as LF stated, with forewarning, most of the big boats out there have room to avoid a dive boat supporting divers. So... According to this, I tend to think possibly running the RAM shapes or lights after having contacted ALL concerned vessels in the area (all boats 60'+ IIRC) by way of VTS pretty much opens the door to drifting the deco...
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