Purpose
- To establish rules and regulations for vessels navigating through the channel between Cebu and Malapascua Islands.
- To enhance navigation safety, improve traffic efficiency, and protect the marine environment in the area.
Scope
- Applicable to all vessels including ships of war and Philippine government vessels.
- Optional compliance for fishing vessels, motorized bancas, and sailing vessels/yachts.
Definitions
- Routeing System: A system of one or more routes to reduce casualty risks, including traffic separation schemes and precautionary areas.
- Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS): Measures that separate opposing traffic by lanes.
- Separation Zone: Zone separating traffic lanes moving in opposite directions.
- Traffic Lane: Defined area for one-way traffic flow.
- Recommended Track: A pre-examined safe route advised for navigation.
- Precautionary Area: Zone requiring particular navigation caution.
- Area to be Avoided: Hazardous area ships should avoid.
- Inshore Traffic Zone: Area between landward boundary of TSS and coast.
- Established Direction of Traffic Flow: Prescribed traffic direction within the TSS.
Concept and Charting
- The Routeing System is illustrated on NAMRIA Chart No. 4405 (Visayan Sea, 1999, 3rd Edition Corrected).
- The channel's traffic scheme consists of a separation zone, traffic lanes, and inshore traffic zones.
- The international Rules of the Road and these prescribed regulations govern navigation.
- The General Prudential Rule overrides any conflicting provisions.
Description of Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS)
- A 1/4 nautical mile wide separation zone bounded by specified geographic points.
- A northbound traffic lane 3/4 nautical mile wide established between the separation zone and a defined line.
- A southbound traffic lane 3/4 nautical mile wide established similarly between the separation zone and another geographic line.
Inshore Traffic Zones
- Zone between northbound lane and coast between defined points near Malapascua Island.
- Zone between southbound lane and coast between TSS termination points.
Recommended Track
- Northbound vessels begin at Campatoc Point, steering 322° within the traffic lane until LS Malapascua.
- Southbound vessels begin at LS Chocolate Island, steering 142° within the lane until Campatoc.
Mandatory Use and Navigation Rules
- The TSS is mandatory for all vessels transiting the channel, day and night, in all weather.
- Vessels must proceed within the appropriate traffic lane following traffic flow direction.
- Vessels should keep near the starboard outer boundary of the lane and avoid the separation zone except in emergencies.
- Joining or leaving lanes should be done at the lane ends or as close to them as possible.
- Crossing traffic lanes should be minimal and ideally at right angles to traffic flow.
- Inshore traffic zones should not be used if the traffic lane can be safely used; exceptions include accessing nearby places or avoiding danger.
- Separation zone entry is only for emergencies.
- Special caution required near TSS terminations.
- Anchoring is prohibited in or near TSS or its terminations.
- Non-TSS vessels must avoid the scheme with as wide a margin as practicable.
- Vessels exempt from mandatory use (like fishing boats) shall not impede power-driven vessels in the lanes.
- Vessels restricted in maneuverability during operations (e.g., submarine cable work) are exempt to the extent necessary, subject to prior Coast Guard notification and issuance of Notices to Mariners.
- Towing and pushing vessels must comply with COLREGS Rule 24.
- Fishing activities are prohibited within the TSS.
- Masters should signal non-compliance using "YG" per the International Code of Signals.
Emergency Rules of Passage
- In emergencies, vessels should navigate towards safe sea and exit the TSS if possible.
- Vessels not under command must comply with COLREGS Rule 27.
Responsibilities
- Masters, owners, and operators are responsible for disseminating the rules.
- They bear responsibility for loss of life/property from non-compliance.
- Masters observing rule violations must submit marine protests to the nearest PCG units or next port.
- PCG units will forward reports to relevant Coast Guard authorities for action.
Dispositive Actions for Violations
- The Coast Guard District CEV will investigate incidents.
- Penalties for masters/patrons are:
- First offense: 3-month license suspension.
- Second offense: 1-year license suspension.
- Third offense: License revocation.
Effectivity
- The rules take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.