Purpose
- Regulates vessel navigation through Corregidor Island Passages.
- Enhances safety of navigation, traffic efficiency, and marine environmental protection.
Scope
- Applies to all vessels except fishing vessels, sailing yachts, motorized bancas, ships of war, and Philippine government-owned vessels, where observance is optional.
Definitions
- Routeing System: Structured routes/measures to minimize maritime accidents.
- Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS): Separated lanes for opposing traffic.
- Separation Zone/Line: Divides opposing traffic lanes.
- Traffic Lane: Designated one-way navigation areas.
- Recommended Track: Safe routes free from hazards.
- Precautionary Area: Zones requiring heightened navigation caution.
- Area to be Avoided: Hazardous areas ships should avoid.
- Inshore Traffic Zone: Area beside coastlines adjacent to TSS.
- Established Traffic Flow Direction: Defined directional movement in TSS.
- North Channel: Passage between Corregidor Island and Bataan.
- South Channel: Passage between Caballo Island and El Fraile.
Concept and Chart Representation
- Routeing systems marked on official NAMRIA charts.
- Imaginary lines defining separation zones, traffic lanes, and inshore zones established in North and South Channels.
- Maritime Rules of the Road are applicable alongside these specific regulations.
- General prudential rules override prescribed rules when necessary.
Traffic Separation Scheme Detailed Provisions
- North Channel: Defined separation lines and two traffic lanes (inbound/outbound) each 0.6 nautical miles wide with specified coordinates.
- South Channel: 0.25 nautical mile wide separation zone with defined geographical boundaries and 0.7 nautical mile wide northbound and southbound lanes.
- Inshore Traffic Zone: Located adjacent to the coast; vessels may use optionally when safe.
Recommended Navigational Tracks
- Specific courses assigned for inbound/outbound traffic in North Channel and for northbound/southbound traffic in South Channel with detailed positional and distance instructions.
Rules of Passage for Vessels
- Mandatory navigation in TSS for all vessels, day and night, in all weather unless otherwise specified.
- Vessels must keep to the appropriate lane's outer starboard side, avoid the separation zone, and enter or leave lanes at their ends with minimal angle deviation.
- Crossing of lanes to be done at right angles if unavoidable.
- Inshore Traffic Zone use limited to vessels that cannot safely use traffic lanes or to avoid danger.
- Anchoring and impeding power-driven vessels within or near TSS prohibited.
- Special exemptions exist for vessels engaged in submarine cable operations, subject to proper notifications and guidelines.
- Fishing activities are prohibited within TSS.
- Use of the International Code of Signals "YG" recommended for signaling non-compliance.
Emergency Rules
- Emergency conditions require vessels to move to safe sea areas, preferably outside TSS.
- Vessels not under command must follow COLREGS Rule 27 strictly.
Responsibilities
- Ship masters, owners, and operators must disseminate and comply with the rules.
- Liability for loss of life/property due to non-compliance or deviation rests with the masters/patrons.
- Observation of non-compliance should be immediately reported via a marine protest to the nearest PCG unit.
- Reports forwarded to appropriate Coast Guard headquarters for action.
Dispositive Actions and Penalties
- Violations trigger graduated penalties:
- First Offense: Three-month suspension of master/patron's license.
- Second Offense: One-year suspension.
- Third Offense: License revocation.
Effectivity
- Regulations take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
- Adopted on 9 July 2003 by VADM Reuben S. Lista of the Philippine Coast Guard.