Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A collision at sea can ruin your entire day.
restricted areas have been established where Correctional Institutions) installations. Fig-
the conventional right-of-way hierarchy ure 71 provides an excerpt from NOS Chart
among vessel types described in Rule 18 is al- No. 12283 (Annapolis Harbor) which shows,
tered and/or vessels are prohibited from en- inter alia, a restricted area in the vicinity of
tering. For example, in the seaplane re- the U.S. Naval Academy (Anchorage areas
stricted area described in 33 CFR § 162.15 in shown in this illustration are discussed in a
Manhasset Bay, NY, the applicable rules later section of this chapter.).
(found in 33 CFR or in the U.S. Coast Pilot)
read: (1) vessels shall not anchor or moor Safety Zones/Defense Areas/Security
within the restricted area and (2) all vessels Zones
traversing the area shall pass directly The Desk Reference Guide defines safety
through without unnecessary delay, and shall zones, defense areas, and security zones as fol-
give seaplanes the right-of-way at all times. lows:
As a practical matter, seaplanes on the wa-
ter are not highly maneuverable (they cannot A safety zone is a water area and/or
operate in reverse, for example, and taxiing shore area to which, for safety or envi-
or sailing a single-engine seaplane is not an ronmental purposes, access is limited to
easy skill to acquire), a fact recognized in the authorized persons, vehicles, or vessels.
navigation regulations applicable to seaplane It may be stationary and described by
restricted areas. fixed limits, or it may be described as a
As the name implies, seaplane operating zone around a vessel in motion.
areas are areas frequented by seaplanes. The
seaplane operating area designation is typically A defense area is a sea area, usually
less restrictive than a seaplane restricted including the approaches to and the
areawarning mariners of the anticipated waters of important ports, harbors,
presence of seaplanes in the area but not nec- bays, or sounds, for the control and
essarily prohibiting entry or anchoring. protection of shipping, for the safe-
Although the number of seaplane operating guarding of defense installations bor-
and restricted areas throughout the country is dering on waters of the areas, and for
not large, it is important for the mariner to be provision of other security measures
aware of the special rules which govern vessel required within the specified areas. It
operations in these areas. does not extend seaward beyond the
United States territorial waters.
Restricted Area (N 20)
According to official charting definitions in A security zone is all areas of water
the Desk Reference Guide, a restricted area
which are so designated by the Cap-
tain of the Port for such time as he
...is a specified area designated by an deems necessary to prevent damage or
appropriate authority and shown on injury to any vessel or waterfront fa-
charts, above, below, or within which cility, to safeguard ports, harbors, ter-
navigation is controlled in accordance ritories, or waters of the United States
with certain specified conditions. These or to secure the observance of the
control measures are employed to pre- rights and obligations of the United
vent or minimize danger or interference States.
between parties using the area.
Safety zones are defined to minimize
Restricted areas are typically associated safety or environmental hazards associated
with military or other federal (e.g., Federal with non-military activities. For example,
7-4 NOAA Chart User's Manual
Fig. 7-1. Excerpt from NOS Chart No. 12283 (Annapolis Harbor) showing a restricted area,
a prohibited anchorage, a naval anchorage, and two additional anchorages.
Areas, Limits, Tracks, and Routes 7-5
1
Where a defense area, safety zone, or security zone line and the three-mile-limit line coincide, the
three-mile line takes precedence. The label is charted along the line.
7-6 NOAA Chart User's Manual
Fig. 7-2. Excerpt from NOS Chart No. 12221 (Chesapeake Bay Entrance)
showing a regulated area (not otherwise classified)
and other features of interest.
Areas, Limits, Tracks, and Routes 7-7
The number 334.70 refers to the CFR sec- [geographic coordinates of area omitted
tion number which discusses this prohibited in this citation]
area. Note A, typically found in an unclut-
tered land area on the chart, contains the (2) The regulations. No vessel
standard text, 2 shall at any time enter or remain
within a rectangular portion of the
NOTE A area bounded on the north by a lati-
tude 41° 1600", on the west by longi-
Navigation regulations are published tude 70° 47' 30", or within the remain-
in Chapter 2, U.S. Coast Pilot ______. der of the area between 1 November
Additions or revisions to Chapter 2 are and 30 April, inclusive, except by per-
published in the Notice to Mariners. In- mission of the enforcing agency.
formation concerning the regulations
may be obtained at the Office of the (3) The regulations in this para-
Commander, ____ Coast Guard District graph shall be enforced by the Com-
in ______, __, or at the Office of the Dis- mandant, First Naval District, and
trict Engineer, Corps of Engineers in such agencies as he may designate.
_____, __.
The textual description in the U.S. Coast
Pilot provides information on the geographic
Blanks in the above note are filled in with limits of the area, applicable regulations, and
the appropriate information. the enforcing agency. The text applicable to
The regulations applicable to the specific this area in the U.S. Coast Pilot is relatively
regulated area are always found in Chapter brief. Entries for other areas are often more
2 of the indicated volume of the U. S. Coast detailed and may run to several pages. How-
Pilot. (Except when specifically requested ever, the above excerpt illustrates the general
by appropriate authority, these regulations format.
are not shown on the nautical chart, how- Many of the areas discussed in this sec-
ever.) tion have general as well as specific regula-
2
On NOAA charts, Note A is reserved for the note listing the publications that contain navigation
regulations relevant to that chart; other charted notes begin with Note B or some other reference label
even if there is no Note A on that chart.
7-8 NOAA Chart User's Manual
tions that apply. For example, the general sel that is carrying liquified petroleum
regulations pertaining to a safety zone are gas in bulk as cargo are a safety zone
found in 33 CFR §165.23, shown below: while the vessel transits the Chesa-
peake Bay and Elizabeth River between
Unless otherwise provided in this Thimble Shoal Lighted Buoy #3 and
part: the Atlantic Energy Terminal on the
Southern Branch of the Elizabeth
a. No person may enter a safety zone River.
unless authorized by the COTP
[Captain of the Port] or the District (b)Except as provided in paragraph (c)
Commander [USCG]; of this section, the general safety zone
regulations in §165.23 [also contained
b. No person may bring or cause to be in this volume of the U.S. Coast Pilot]
brought into a safety zone any ve- apply to the safety zone. Permission to
hicle, vessel, or object unless autho- enter the safety zone may be obtained
rized by the COTP or the District from the Captain of the Port or a des-
Commander; ignated representative, including the
duty officer at the Coast Guard Ma-
c. No person may remain in a safety rine Safety Office, Hampton Roads, or
zone or allow any vehicle, vessel, or the Coast Guard Patrol Commander.
object to remain in a safety zone un-
less authorized by the COTP or the (c) A vessel that is moored at a ma-
District Commander; and rine, wharf, or pier or is at anchor may
remain in the safety zone while a ves-
d. Each person in a safety zone who sel carrying liquified petroleum gas
has notice of a lawful order or direc- passes its location if the vessel re-
tion shall obey the order or direction mains at its moorage or anchorage dur-
of the COTP or District Commander ing the period when its location is
issued to carry out the purposes of within the safety zone.
this subpart.
(d) A vessel that has had liquified pe-
Specific regulations may amend or extend troleum gas in a tank is carrying the
the above general regulations, and are found liquified petroleum gas in bulk as cargo
in the CFR (or U.S. Coast Pilot) in a separate for the purposes of paragraph (a) of this
section. Mariners need to consult both specific section, unless the tank has been gas
and general regulations. free since the liquified petroleum gas
As an example of specific rules pertaining was last carried as cargo.
to a safety zone, consider this entry from the
U.S. Coast Pilot Volume 3 (1993) Atlantic (e) The Captain of the Port, Hampton
coast: Sandy Hook to Cape Henry describing Roads will issue a Marine Safety Infor-
a safety zone located in the Chesapeake Bay: mation Broadcast Notice to Mariners
to notify the maritime community of
§165.506 Chesapeake Bay, the scheduled arrival and departure of
Hampton Roads, Elizabeth River a liquified petroleum gas carrier.
Southern Branch Liquified Petro-
leum Gas Carrier Safety Zone. Illustrative Regulations
Table 7-1 provides an illustrative list of
(a) The waters within 250 feet from regulations which may be applicable to various
the port and starboard sides and 300 federally regulated areas. In the example of
yards from the bow and stern of a ves- the prohibited area near Nomans Land, entry
Areas, Limits, Tracks, and Routes 7-9
Table 7-1.
Illustrative Types of Regulations Applicable to Federally Regulated Areas.
Regulations are area-specific. Consult the current U.S. Coast Pilot for
regulations pertaining to each individual area.
is prohibited to all but authorized vessels only not enter certain channels (unless the vessel
for specific months of the year. Depending is crossing the channel), a prohibition on the
upon the area, the duration of the prohibition entry of vessels above a designated size with
may be only for certain times of day, certain impaired maneuverability, technical require-
days of the year, only when actual exercises or ments on tows, requirements for operating
vessel transits are taking place (when the radar in vessels above a designated size dur-
area is said to be hot), or at all times. Al- ing periods of reduced visibility, and require-
ternatively, entry may be permitted, but a re- ments for pilots with local knowledge aboard
quirement for expeditious passage, or a re- vessels greater than a certain size (e.g., 100
quirement to vacate the area promptly upon gross tons).
notification may be imposed. Finally, the height of vessels permitted to
In the Nomans Land example, entry is for- operate in the regulated area may be limited.
bidden, in other areas entry may be permitted, The height constraint is applicable in certain
but limits may be placed upon specific activi- restricted areas associated with some coastal
ties of vessels while in the area (e.g., no loiter- airports and is intended to lower the risk of col-
ing, no stopping, no anchoring, no trawling, no lision with low-flying aircraft and reduce the
fishing, no towing, no docking, no entry onto possibility of interference with navigational
land, etc.). Minimum separation distances (e.g., equipment. For example, in the restricted area
from naval vessels or carriers of hazardous (33 CFR § 162.20) contiguous to La Guardia
cargo) may also be mandated in these areas. Airport, Flushing, NY, no vessels with a height
In some regulated areas (e.g., that shown greater than 35 feet may enter whenever the
in figure 71) yet other requirements may be prevailing visibility is less than 1 mile.
imposed. These include requirements that In cases where entry is prohibited only dur-
vessels drawing less than a specified draft ing times when the area is being used, the
7-10 NOAA Chart User's Manual
U.S. Coast Pilot will indicate how notification NOS Chart No. 12274 (Head of Chesapeake
is given, either in advance (e.g., in the Notice Bay) which shows, inter alia, a portion of the
to Mariners), or shortly before the activity Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge. Ap-
commences (e.g., by display of warning flags, plicable rules for operating in wildlife refuges
the presence of patrol vessels, low aircraft and other regulations are given in 50 CFR
passes, etc.). Parts 25, 27, and 32. These regulations in-
clude the Navigation Rules, state regulations,
Summary and several additional regulations. The addi-
It is a surprisingly common misconception tional regulations include a prohibition on
that federally regulated areas cannot be en- leaving boats (outside of designated mooring
tered at any time. In fact, many of these areas or beaching areas) unattended for a period
are not denied (or at least not denied at all greater than 72 hours without the permission
times) and these areas can be safely used if the of the refuge manager, a ban on use of gov-
prescribed regulations are followed. The mari- ernment-owned docks for loading and unload-
ner should consult 33 CFR or the U.S. Coast ing of boats (except in emergency), special
Pilot to determine the restrictions to entry and rules for water skiing, regulations applicable
other pertinent regulations. However, unless to marine sanitation devices, and a variety of
the specific regulations are consulted (e.g., as special rules which limit or prohibit hunting
found in 33 CFR or the U.S. Coast Pilot), the and fishing activities. Some wildlife refuge
prudent mariner has no alternative but to re- regulations are site specific.
main well clear of federally regulated areas. Do
not radio the USCG with a request for real- Charting Practices
time information on navigation regulations ap- This section provides information on chart-
plicable to, or the status of, these areas. Not all ing practices and related information for civil
USCG units have this information readily reservations. Charting conventions consist of a
available. The USCG will respond to written or symbol and associated labels and notes.
telephone inquiries, but does not necessarily
offer real time response. Symbol (N 22)
Civil reservations are charted with a blue
Civil Reservations long-short dashed line. A more prominent blue
Civil reservations include a variety of non- screened band may be added to the inside edge
military areas such as state and national of the entire outline if needed to avoid confu-
parks, reservations, wildlife preserves, wildlife sion. For example, where different reservations
refuges, marine sanctuaries, Indian reserva- overlap, the screened band may be used to de-
tions, and similar specially designated areas. note the reservation(s) of greater importance.
Generally, reservation areas are charted only
if requested by the cognizant agency. With Labels and Notes
certain exceptions, these areas provide inter- Labels and notes are printed in blue type.
esting background rather than information If the boundary is chiefly in the water, italic
relevant to navigation. (These areas are type is used; if chiefly on land, conventional
charted in blue, as noted below, so as to re- type is used. The label type should be consis-
serve the use of magenta and black for chart- tent on overlapping charts. The label consists
ing features that are of greater navigational of the name of the reservation (e.g.,
importance to the mariner.) Mariners are ad- SUSQUEHANNA NATIONAL WILDLIFE
vised, however, to consult the CFR and other REFUGE) in italic capitals and a description
sources for any regulations applicable to (e.g., protected area) in lower case italic type
these areas. if appropriate. The label see note A is in-
As an illustration of one type of civil reser- cluded only when the cited federal regulations
vation, figure 73 provides an excerpt from are given in the U.S. Coast Pilot. Where ref-
Areas, Limits, Tracks, and Routes 7-11
Fig. 7-3. Excerpt from NOS Chart No. 12274 (head of Chesapeake Bay) showing
a restricted area and portion of Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge.
erence to note A is not appropriate, the label formation for some, but not all, of these ar-
may refer to another note or the CFR. eas. Mariners interested in using these wa-
ters should consult appreciable sections of the
Relevance to the Mariner CFR. (Refer to the CFR Index to find the ap-
Generally speaking, civil reservations are propriate section(s).)
of only limited interest to the mariner. This
is reflected in the choice of color for their de- Federally Regulated Anchorage Areas/
piction on the nautical chart. Nonetheless, Grounds
these features are charted to alert the mari- Federally regulated anchorage areas and
ner to possible regulations which may affect grounds are important features depicted on
entry and/or limit activities. NOAA charts. It is convenient to group fed-
The U.S. Coast Pilot provides relevant in- erally regulated anchorage areas into three
7-12 NOAA Chart User's Manual
broad classes: (i) anchorage grounds, (ii) spe- choring berths may be published in the CFR
cial anchorage areas, and (iii) fairway anchor- (and U.S. Coast Pilot), but may also be devel-
ages. These are discussed below. oped by local users and available from the
originator.
Anchorage Grounds
The USCG is authorized (under Section 7 Special Anchorage Areas
of the River and Harbor Act of March 4, 1915) An Act of Congress of April 22, 1940, pro-
to define and establish anchorage grounds for vided for the designation of special anchorage
vessels whenever it is apparent that these are areas wherein vessels not more than 65 feet
required by the maritime or commercial in- in length, when at anchor, are not required
terests of the United States for safe naviga- to carry or exhibit anchor lights. These spe-
tion. Further, the USCG is authorized to es- cial anchorage areas (33 CFR § 109.10) are
tablish rules and regulations applicable to well removed from fairways 3 and located
these designated anchorage grounds. where general navigation will not endanger
Several types of anchorage grounds have or be endangered by unlighted vessels. Spe-
been established by the USCG, including (but cial anchorage areas are established for the
not limited to) general anchorages, commercial convenience of small (typically recreational)
anchorages, deep-draft anchorages, small- vessels.
craft anchorages, special anchorages, quaran-
tine anchorages, temporary anchorages, dead- Fairway Anchorages
ship anchorages, explosive anchorages, forbid- According to 33 CFR § 166.105, shipping
den anchorages, nonanchorage grounds, and safety fairway means a lane or corridor in
restricted anchorages. For the most part, which no artificial island or fixed structure,
terms used to describe these anchorage whether temporary or permanent, will be per-
grounds (e.g., commercial anchorages) are not mitted. These fairways are established to con-
defined explicitly in the CFR. Rather, the defi- trol the erection or structures so as to provide
nitions are implicit and made clear by the safe approaches through: (i) oil fields in the
specific rules and regulations pertaining to Gulf of Mexico to entrances to the major ports
each designated anchorage. For example, a along the gulf coast (33 CFR § 166.200), (ii) the
dead-ship anchorage is designed to lay up coast of California (33 CFR § 166.300), (iii) the
ships for extended periods, a quarantine an- coast of Alaska (33 CFR § 166.400), and (iv)
chorage is designed to accommodate ships re- the Atlantic coast (33 CFR § 166.500). A fair-
questing quarantine inspection, a deep-draft way anchorage means an anchorage area con-
anchorage is designed principally for deep- tiguous to and associated with a fairway, in
draft ships. Forbidden, prohibited, which fixed structures may be permitted within
nonanchorages, and restricted anchorages all certain spacing limitations.
have regulations which limit or prohibit an-
choring by various types of vessels, or require Relevance to the Mariner
special authorization for anchoring. A de- Knowledge of the presence and location of
scription of these designated anchorage designated anchorage grounds/areas are rel-
grounds and the regulations applicable to evant to the mariner for two principal reasons:
each can be found in the CFR and the U.S.
Coast Pilot. First, and perhaps most important,
Anchoring berths are usually circular ar- charting these areas serves to inform
eas located within certain established anchor- the mariner that various rules and
age grounds as a convenience in assigning an- regulations may apply to each desig-
choring locations for both military and com- nated area. (Sources for these regula-
mercial vessels. Information concerning an- tions are identified below.) Table 72
3
Shipping safety fairways are also charted.
Areas, Limits, Tracks, and Routes 7-13
Regulations are anchorage-specific; not all anchorages will have each of the illustrative
regulations given. The current U.S. Coast Pilot should be consulted to find
the specific regulations applicable to each designated anchorage.
larly burdensome.) In special anchor- erence to the standard note A discussed ear-
age areas, vessels less than 65 feet in lier in this chapter. Examples include:
length are not required to display an-
chor lights, which means that vessels SPECIAL ANCHORAGE
transiting these areas at night are well 110.1, 110.126a (see note A)
advised to exert special vigilance to COMMERCIAL EXPLOSIVE ANCHORAGE
avoid possible collisions with un- 110.168 (see note A)
lighted vessels at anchor. FAIRWAY ANCHORAGE
166.200 (see note A)
Charting Practices
This section provides information on chart- Bottom characteristics (see Chapter 4) are de-
ing practices and related information for fed- picted in designated anchorage areas and other
erally regulated anchorages. Charting conven- areas where vessels are expected to anchor.
tions consist of a symbol and associated labels
and notes. With few exceptions, NOAA charts Notes
show only the type of anchorage, its location, Anchorage areas also refer to the standard
and a CFR section number. Specific regulations note A. This note directs the mariner to the
applicable to the area are provided elsewhere appropriate section of the U.S. Coast Pilot.
(e.g., 33 CFR or the U.S. Coast Pilot). Applicable regulations can be found in either
the CFR or the U.S. Coast Pilot. Regulations
Symbol (e.g., N 11.1 - N 20) may consist of both specific regulations appli-
Federally regulated anchorages are de- cable to the designated anchorage area and
picted by magenta limit lines which show the general regulations (i.e., common regulations
exact geographic boundaries of the anchorage. applicable to several anchorages in the same
The line thickness and whether or not it is solid area). For example, there are numerous gen-
or dashed varies with the type of anchorage, as eral regulations applicable to Anchorage E
shown in table 73. A magenta screen may be shown in figure 74. But there are additional
added for emphasis. specific regulations given in the CFR and the
Anchoring berths (N 11.1, N 11.2) are U.S. Coast Pilot. The specific regulations (33
charted as solid or dashed circles of specified CFR § 110.168) include:
diameter with a small center-position circle
(solid or dashed to correspond the berth limit (4) Anchorage E. (i) A vessel may not an-
symbol) and a designator. Circles and designa- chor in Anchorage E without a permit issued
tors may be shown in magenta or a screened by the Captain of the Port.
green. (If another color is required for clarity,
berths may be printed in black.) (ii) The Captain of the Port shall give com-
Figure 74 provides an excerpt from NOS mercial vessels priority over naval and
Chart No. 12221 (Chesapeake Bay Entrance) public vessels.
showing two naval anchorages, a commercial
explosive anchorage, and an anchorage berth. (iii) The Captain of the Port may at any
time revoke a permit to anchor in An-
Label chorage E issued under the authority
The charted anchorage area is identified of paragraph (f)(4)(i) of this section.
with a magenta label in italic type that includes
the primary title of the area as given in the (iv) A vessel may not anchor in Anchorage
CFR, an alphanumeric designator (if as- Berth E-1 unless it is carrying or handling
signed), the CFR section number, and a ref- dangerous cargo or military explosives.
Areas, Limits, Tracks, and Routes 7-15
Table 7-3.
Charting Symbols for Federally Regulated Anchorages
(v) A vessel may not anchor within 500 Nonfederally Regulated Anchorages
yards of Anchorage Berth E-1 without (N 12.1)
the permission of the Captain of the State and local governments may estab-
Port, if the berth is occupied by a ves- lish anchorages in waters under their juris-
sel carrying or handling dangerous diction. These areas may also be charted at
cargo or military explosives. the discretion of NOAA. Chart conventions
7-16 NOAA Chart User's Manual
Fig. 7-4. Excerpt from NOS Chart No. 12221 (Chesapeake Bay Entrance) showing
a variety of anchorages and berths along with other features of interest.
parallel those for federally regulated anchor- various Harbors of Refuge along a proposed
ages, except that a black dashed line is used route. A harbor of refuge may or may not be
rather than a magenta line. Applicable rules considered a part of a shipping port. A har-
and regulations for these areas are not pub- bor of refuge is identified with a black anchor
lished in the U.S. Coast Pilot, but must be ob- symbol (N 10) and a label HARBOR OF REF-
tained by the agency having jurisdiction over UGE in black italic capital letters.
the anchorage area.
Dumping/Disposal Areas
Harbors of Refuge (N 10) Dumping/disposal areas have been estab-
Harbors of Refuge are recognized anchor- lished for various purposes, such as for ocean
age areas without defined limits. These har- dumping of toxic wastes (now prohibited) or
bors provide passing vessels with good hold- depositing dredged materials. These areas
ing ground and temporary refuge from may constitute hazards to navigation and are
storms. For this reason, vessel operations charted for this reason. Three general classes
(particularly operators of small vessels) (determined by the federal regulatory author-
should be familiar with the location of the ity that has jurisdiction over their establish-
Areas, Limits, Tracks, and Routes 7-17
ment) of dumping areas are shown on NOAA are retained in the dumping areas because
charts. These are briefly described below. these areas are not intended to interfere with
navigation. The date of the hydrography is
EPAEstablished Dumping Areas stated as follows:
(N 24, N c, N d, N g)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Depths from survey of _____
(EPA) established ocean dumping sites (40 CFR
Part 227) for the purpose of disposing of toxic
and nontoxic materials including dredged ma- On small-scale charts, the dimensions of the
terial, industrial waste, acid waste, municipal dump site may preclude its being charted to
waste, sludge, etc. These areas are charted in scale. In this event, a minimum-size symbol (a
all cases where hydrography and other naviga- 2.0 mm dashed square) is used in lieu of at-
tional detail are shown in the area.4 tempting to depict the actual size. If this sym-
Dumping areas designated in 40 CFR § bol is used for all dump sites shown on a par-
228.12 are shown by a black dashed limit ticular chart, these are identified by label, with-
line. A label is added in black to identify the out reference to note S, e.g.:
area in italic type, capital and lowercase let-
ters, in a size appropriate to the charted fea- Dump Site
ture. A label refers to note S. A descriptive (dredged material).
term such as dredged material may be
added to the label to reflect the primary use
of the area as identified in the regulations. NavyEstablished Dumping Areas
Examples include: The Navy designated certain areas, gen-
erally in deep water at a considerable dis-
Dump Site tance offshore, for disposal of ammunition,
(see note S) chemicals, and explosives. These areas are
Dump Site shown on NOAA charts to inform chart us-
(dredged material) ers, notably trawlers, who might tangle with
(see note S) dangerous materials. The same chart con-
ventions are used as for Environmental Pro-
Note S is charted in the vicinity of note A tection Agency (EPA)established dumping
and states; areas.
4
Refer to Chapter 4 for information on areas where hydrography is omitted.
7-18 NOAA Chart User's Manual
Spoil areas (N 62.1) are established for the Relevance to the Mariner
disposal of dredged material removed from the Generally speaking, these areas are de-
bottom of channels and harbors during dredg- picted on nautical charts to alert the mariner
ing operations. If inactive, the area is still to the possibility of danger when transiting the
charted, but labeled in black italic capital and area (e.g., spoil areas) or when engaging in cer-
lower-case letters, Discontinued Spoil Area. tain activities (e.g., trawling in the vicinity of
These areas are generally located near and par- Navy-established dumping areas). Depiction of
allel to the dredged channel and are potentially these areas on the nautical chart also serves to
dangerous to navigation. Active spoil area alert the mariner to the types of vessels that
limits are shown by a black dashed line de- may frequent these areas. A spoil area, for ex-
lineating the extent of the area, a label (in ample, might be frequented by dredges, tugs,
italic, capital and lowercase letters) Spoil and barges.
Area, with blue tint No. 1 added to accentu- Spoil areas are of particular concern, be-
ate their potentially dangerous nature. Spoil cause of their generally shallow depths and
areas that uncover are tinted green. Sound- proximity to dredged channels. There are nu-
ings and depth curves (see Chapter 4) are merous instances of vessels running aground in
omitted within spoil areas, although islets these spoil areas. Avoidance is the safest course
and areas bare at MLLW are charted. of action lest they spoil your voyage in more
Disposal areas (N d) are established or ap- ways than one.
proved (see 33 CFR Parts 323-324) for depos-
iting dredged material in waters where exist- Illustration
ing depths and currents indicate that the Figure 75 shows an excerpt from NOS
dumping will not cause sufficient shoaling to Chart No. 11361 (Mississippi River Delta)
create a danger to surface navigation. Disposal showing the Southwest Pass at the mouth of
area limits are shown by a black dashed line, the Mississippi River. Several features of this
except that soundings, tints, and depth curves chart excerpt are of interest. Note the oil plat-
are retained inside the limits of these areas. forms, oil pipelines, and the safety fairway for
The following note is shown in italic type: vessels entering and existing the Southwest
Pass. Note also the blue tinted spoil area on ei-
Disposal Area ther side of the channel. The blue tint alerts
Depths from survey of ______ mariners to the danger posed by these areas.
See also the dump site to the west of the chan-
nel. The northern portion of the dump site over-
Dumping Grounds (N c) lays the spoil area. The cartographer elected
Dumping grounds are areas formerly des- to tint the entire dump site area blue, to em-
ignated by the USACE (under 33 CFR Part phasize the possible dangers in this area.
Areas, Limits, Tracks, and Routes 7-19
Fig. 7-5. Excerpt from NOS Chart No. 11361 (Mississippi River Delta)
7-20 NOAA Chart User's Manual
However, soundings south of the southern ments, but these coordinates are not conve-
boundary of the original spoil area were re- nient for use. For this reason, the COLREGS
tained, as these were judged unlikely to demarcation lines are printed on NOAA
change materially as a result of the dumping charts.
activities. This area was the site of a collision
between a northbound Dutch cruise ship Charting Practices
Noordham and a southbound freighter Mt. Charting conventions for COLREGS de-
Ymitos in November of 1993 (see Professional marcation lines consist of a symbol, label, and
Mariner, Issue No. 5). The accident investiga- note, as discussed below.
tion is still pending as of this writing, so it
would be premature to speculate on the cause Symbol (N a)
of the accident. However, one aspect of this COLREGS demarcation lines are shown
collision is of interest here. The Captain of on all coastal series charts (scale 1:150,000 and
the southbound Mt. Ymitos reportedly claimed larger) and on other charts as needed using a
that he could not alter course to the right (i.e., magenta dashed line (N a).
westward) because of the proximity of the
dump site. Moving westward of the buoyed Label
channel when north of the fairway buoy SW The label COLREGS DEMARCATION
would entail some risk of grounding. For po- LINE in magenta italic capital letters (see fig-
sitions south of this buoy, the soundings and ure 72 or figure 75) is placed along the line,
the included 120-foot depth curve shown on either inside or outside as space permits. If la-
the chart offer more comfort. Presumably, any bels cannot be placed along the COLREGS line,
vessel of sufficient draft to be accommodated these may be placed on land and parallel to the
in the channel (40 feet) could transit this area chart base. Labels in other locations (where
without appreciable risk of grounding. space is limited) where labeling may be critical
are abbreviated COLREGS. This abbreviated
COLREGS Demarcation Line (N a) label may be omitted in cases where the labels
A COLREGS demarcation line (see 33 would be extremely close together or where sev-
CFR Part 80) divides U.S. waters into two ar- eral chart lines are in close proximity.
eas. Landward of this line the Inland Naviga- Some charts depict only areas where the
tion Rules apply, seaward of this line the In- international rules apply. This includes certain
ternational Navigation Rules apply. (The areas of New England, Florida, Puerto Rico,
USCG publishes both sets of rules in the Aleutians, and other areas. The following
COMDTINST M16672.2B, see references.) Al- note is added to these charts in lieu of the ad-
though many of the navigation rules are com- dition to the Symbols and Abbreviations note:
mon to both sets, some differ. For example, re-
quired lights and whistle signals under the in- COLREGS, 80.____ (see note A)
land rules differ from those under the inter- International Regulations for Preventing
national rules. For this reason it is important Collisions at Sea, 1972"
that the mariner be aware of the water areas
where each set of navigation rules apply. The In areas where COLREGS lines are shown
COLREGS demarcation lines are published in and space permits, the second line of the label
CFR and in COMDTINST M16672.2B in terms shows the CFR section number and the refer-
of the latitude and longitude of linear seg- ence to note A, e.g., 80.325a (see note A).
Areas, Limits, Tracks, and Routes 7-21
5
Some degaussing ranges (e.g., 33 CFR § 334.870) are also restricted areas.
7-22 NOAA Chart User's Manual
The significance of this zone is described Closing Line/Three Nautical Mile Line/
in the Coast Pilot Manual as follows: Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone
(N 42, N 43, N 44)
The closing line (baseline) is the dividing
Within the EEZ, the United States has line between inland waters and marginal seas
asserted, to the extent permitted by in- across the entrance of a bay. The Three Nauti-
ternational law, (a) sovereign rights for cal Mile Line marks the boundary of the wa-
the purpose of exploring, exploiting, con- ters within a three-mile zone adjacent to the
serving and managing natural re- coast and seaward of the closing line. The Ter-
sources, both living and nonliving, of the ritorial Sea and Contiguous Zone marks the
seabed and subsoil and the boundary of the waters within a 12-nautical
superadjacent waters and with regard mile zone adjacent to the coast and seaward of
to other activities for the economic ex- the closing line.
ploitation and exploration of the zone, Each of these lines are black screened un-
such as the production of energy from broken lines of 0.5 mm lineweight. These lines
the water, currents and winds; and (b) are labeled in black italic type as follows:
jurisdiction with regard to the establish- THREE NAUTICAL MILE (see note X),
ment and use of artificial islands, and TERRITORIAL SEA (see note X), and TER-
installations and structures having eco- RITORIAL SEA AND CONTIGUOUS ZONE
nomic purposes, and the protection and (see note X).
preservation of the marine environ- The text of note X differs slightly according
ment. to whether or not the natural resources bound-
aries of Puerto Rico or the gulf coast are
Without prejudice to the sovereign shown. One version of this note is as follows:
rights and jurisdiction of the United
States, the EEZ remains an area beyond NOTE X
the territory and territorial sea of the The 12-nautical mile territorial sea
United States in which all states enjoy was established by Presidential Procla-
the high seas freedoms of navigation, mation 5928, December 27, 1988, and is
overflight, the laying of submarine also the outer limit of the U.S. contigu-
cables and pipelines, and other interna- ous zone for the application of domestic
tionally lawful uses of the sea. law. The 3-nautical mile line, previ-
ously identified as the outer limit of
the territorial sea, is retained because
The seaward boundary of the EEZ is coin- the proclamation states that it does not
cidental with that of the Fishery Conservation alter existing State or Federal law.
Zone (FCZ) over which the United States ex- The 9 nautical mile natural resources
ercises exclusive fishery management author- boundary off Texas, the Gulf coast of
ity over all species of fish, except tuna. Florida, and Puerto Rico, and the 3
The EEZ limit is shown by a black screened nautical mile line elsewhere remain
line interspersed at regular limits by a fish the inner boundary of the Federal fish-
symbol (N 47). This line is labeled EXCLU- eries jurisdiction and the limit of
SIVE ECONOMIC ZONE in black italic capi- states jurisdiction under the Sub-
tal letters. merged Lands Act (P.L. 83-31; 67 Stat.
Areas, Limits, Tracks, and Routes 7-23
Fig. 7-6. Excerpt from NOS Chart No. 12221 (Chesapeake Bay Entrance) showing
a variety of features of interest, including a traffic separation scheme
and a Three-Mile Limit Line.
29, March 22, 1953). These maritime Figure 76 provides another excerpt from
limits are subject to modification, as NOS Chart No. 12221 (Chesapeake Bay En-
represented on future charts. The lines trance) showing a Three-Mile Limit Line
shown on the most recent chart edi- among other features of interest.
tion take precedence.
7-24 NOAA Chart User's Manual
Traffic Separation Schemes and Related ticable. A TSS may include traffic lanes,
Matters separation zones, roundabouts, precaution-
TSS and Vessel Traffic Services ( VTS) ary areas, inshore traffic zones, deep-water
are related systems used to aid in the pre- routes, areas to be avoided, and (in the case
vention of collisions in the approaches to of a corresponding VTS) calling-in points. It
many major harbors. 6 Briefly, a TSS con- is convenient to include pilot boarding areas
sists of a series of highways in the water in this section. Definitions and charting
that segregate traffic, while a VTS is a practices are described below. Figures 77
land-based system which provides advice and 78 provide excerpts from Chart No. 1
and control of participating vessels in a which illustrate many of the chart symbols
manner similar tobut less elaborate used to depict TSS/VTS features. Figure 7
thanthe system employed for air traffic 6 depicts a TSS in the vicinity of Chesapeake
control. Centers for VTS have communica- Bay, which includes traffic lanes, separation
tions equipment and radar and optical sys- zones, and a precautionary area. This ex-
tems for observation. TSS and VTS are dis- cerpt also shows a pilot boarding area.
cussed in 33 CFR Part 161 (Vessel Traffic
Management) and 33 CFR Part 167 (Off-
shore Traffic Management Schemes). All A traffic lane means an area within de-
vessels are obliged to follow Rule 10 (In- fined limits in which one-way traffic is
ternational Navigation Rules) regarding established. When joining or leaving a
TSS, and there are specific rules and regu- traffic lane (Rule 10 paragraph (b) (iii))
lations (including whether participation in vessels are required to do so at as small
an associated VTS is voluntary or manda- an angle as possible. As far as practi-
tory) applicable to each area. (Refer to the cable, vessels should avoid crossing
U.S. Coast Pilot or 33 CFR for details.) traffic lanes (Rule 10 paragraph (c)).
A TSS is a routing measure designed to However, vessels crossing a traffic
separate opposing streams of traffic by the es- lane should do so on a heading as
tablishment of traffic lanes. Vessels need not nearly as practicable at right angles to
use a TSS (i.e., participation is voluntary). the lane. Vessels are encouraged to
However, under Rule 10, paragraph (h), ...a navigate at or near the center of the
vessel not using a traffic separation scheme traffic lane. Otherwise (see Cockcroft
shall avoid it by as wide a margin as is prac- and Lameijer),
6
Although it is convenient to discuss TSS and VTS in the same section, as both relate to routing and
employ similar charting conventions, it is important to distinguish between these two systems. A TSS is a
set of paper conventions (routes) established by the host country in consultation with the International
Maritime Organization (IMO). (The IMO (formerly IMCO) is an organ of the United Nations, based in Lon-
don, England, established to deal with recommendations relative to maritime safety and pollution.) A TSS
is the subject of Rule 10 of the International Navigation Rules. A VTS, however, is a physical entity, con-
sisting of a control facility termed a Vessel Traffic Center (VTC), manned by personnel from the host coun-
try (principally the USCG in the United States, although a new private VTS has been commissioned in Los
Angeles/Long Beach, CA, and others are planned for Tampa, FL, and Philadelphia, PA), communications
facilities, and systems of observation (television cameras and radar) and operates in accord with published
rules and regulations (CFR) under Rule 10 of the Inland Navigation Rules. Some major harbors and harbor
approaches (e.g., New York) have a TSS and a VTS. Others (e.g., the approaches to the Chesapeake or
Delaware Bays) have only a TSS. Yet others (typically those entirely within inland waters, e.g., the St Marys
River) have a VTS, but no TSS (although routing regulations are published for this area). Finally, most
harbors and harbor approaches have neither a TSS nor a VTS.
Areas, Limits, Tracks, and Routes 7-25
Fig. 7-7. Excerpt from Chart No. 1 Showing Charting Conventions for Routing Measures.
Areas, Limits, Tracks, and Routes 7-27
This did not involve a TSS per se, but rather ignoring the 1948 Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) recom-
7
Now, however, it is common for even small A deep-water route is primarily in-
vessels to have LORAN-C or GPS receivers tended to be used by deep-draft ships.
on board. Use of these electronic aids greatly Vessels not requiring such channel
simplifies compliance with the established depths should avoid using these routes
TSS, regardless of the prevailing visibility. to limit traffic congestion.
The traffic lanes can be identified by a se-
quence of waypoints (defining the center of When feasible, sailing vessels are prob-
linear portions of the lanes), and the off ably well advised to remain well clear
course alarm feature common to most of of a TSS. The slow speed and restricted
these receivers can be set so that the operator maneuverability of a sailing vessel could
is warned if the vessel strays from the charted create a collision hazard.
traffic lane. 8 Waypoints can also be used to
mark calling-in points for a VTS. Read Rule 10 of the International
Rule 10, paragraph (e) (ii), permits fishing Navigation Rules carefully before at-
within a separation zone of a TSS. The off tempting to use a TSS. A TSS is no
course alarm feature of most modern LO- place for the ill-informed or naïve
RAN-C or GPS receivers can also be used to mariner.
warn the operator if the fishing vessel wan-
ders out of the designated separation zone.
Some final tips relevant to use of a TSS in- Course Lines
clude: Some Great Lakes charts show course lines
that are unofficial traffic separation scheme
Expect to find a significant amount of devised by shipping interests for their own ben-
traffic in a TSS. These lanes concentrate efit. These course lines have not been estab-
traffic from a wide ocean area, so that lished by the USCG, nor are regulations pub-
traffic densities can be quite high. Ves- lished in the CFR.
sels should maintain an alert lookout These course lines are charted with a
(both visual and with radar if so black dashed line on charts with English
equipped). units and magenta dashed line on metric
charts. In either case, the labels for the
Ensure that your vessel is equipped course lines are shown in magenta. The labels
with a radio if using a TSS. This en- include distance (in statute and nautical
ables you to communicate with other miles) and bearings along a course. The point
vessels using the TSS. A radio is es- where a course changes direction is shown
sential if using a VTS. with a black dashed line to a point of land or
object ashore. The bearing of the line and the
Equip your vessel with a radar reflector distance offshore of the turning point are in-
if operating in a TSS and your vessel is cluded in a black label along the dashed line.
not radar conspicuous. Recreational If course lines are shown, the following sail-
vessels, in particular, are often difficult ing directions note (in black vertical letters)
to see on radar. is included on Great Lakes metric charts with
Mercator projections:
8
It is recommended that the off-course alarm be set up to warn the mariner well before the limits of
the traffic lane so as to allow an ample margin of safety.
7-32 NOAA Chart User's Manual
The greatest hazard to navigation is a
bored navigator.
References
: Civil Reservation.
Anon. Mississippi Collision Placed 1,800 Pas- : COLREGS.
sengers in Peril, Professional Mariner,
: Course Lines.
Issue No. 5, February 1994, pp. 44, et seq.
: Danger Area.
Anon. VTS Goes Private; New VTS System
Opens in Los Angeles/Long Beach, Profes- : Explosive Economic and Fishery
sional Mariner, Issue No. 7, June/July Conservation Zones.
1994, p. 34. : Pilot Areas.
Bassett, F. E. and R. A. Smith, Farwells : Recreational Areas and Structures.
Rules of the Nautical Road, Sixth Edition,
Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD, : Restricted Area.
1982. : Safety Fairway.
Brannan, L., New VTIS On-Line at Califor- : Territorial Sea and Contiguous
nia Port, Commandants Bulletin, Issue Zone.
694, COMDTPUB P5720.2, July 1994, p.
5. : Traffic Separation Scheme.
Cahill, R. A., Collisions and Their Causes, International Maritime Organization. Ships
Fairplay Publications, London, UK, 1983. Routeing, Sixth Edition, Updated with
1992 Amendments IMO924E, London, UK,
Cahill, R. A., Strandings and Their Causes, 1993.
Fairplay Publications, London, UK, 1985.
Marriott, J., Disaster at Sea, Hippocrene
Cockcroft, A. N. and J. N. F. Lameijer, A Books, New York, NY, 1987.
Guide to the Collision Avoidance Rules,
Third Edition, Stanford Maritime, London, McKenna, R., VTS Takes on a Life of Its
UK, 1982. Own, Professional Mariner, Issue No. 3,
October/November 1993, pp. 4650.
Heinl, R. D., Dictionary of Military and Na-
val Quotations, Naval Institutes Press, An- Nemeth, D., Passage Through a Maritime
napolis, MD, 1966. Crossroads, Ocean Navigator, Issue No. 42,
September/October 1991, pp. 1016.
Hoffer, W., Saved! The Story of the Andrea
DoriaThe Greatest Sea Rescue in His- Office of the Federal Register, National Ar-
tory, Summit Books, New York, NY, 1979. chives and Records Administration. 33
Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1 to
Holdert, H. M. C. and F. J. Bozek. Collision End (3 Volumes), U.S. Government Print-
CasesJudgements and Diagrams, Lloyds ing Office, Washington, DC, July 1, 1993.
of London Press, London, UK, 1984.
Ryan, T., Naval Officer Recounts
Human Technology, Inc. Desk Reference Guide: Shiphandling Incident, Professional
Specifications Unit, Chart and Map, Fea- Mariner, Issue No. 8, August/September
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National Ocean Service, Charting and
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Under Contract OPM-85-77, McLean, VA, tion, W. W. Norton & Company, New York,
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I Never Met A Ship I Liked, National Writ- tion, National Ocean Service, and De-
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U.S. Department of Commerce, Coast and
United States of America Nautical Chart
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U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oce-
U.S. Department of Transportation, United
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U.S. Department of Commerce, National ton, DC, 1990.
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
Young, W., What Are Vessel Traffic Services,
and What Can They Really Do?, Naviga-
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