NavBrief - The Navigator issue 42
Today’s seas are becoming more complex to navigate, not least due to increasing numbers of restricted areas. Knowing where they are and what to do about them could make all the difference for a safe and smooth journey
Understanding restricted areas – and what they represent
by David Patraiko, Director of Projects, The Nautical Institute
Today’s seas are becoming more complex to navigate, not least due to increasing numbers of restricted areas. Knowing where they are and what to do about them could make all the difference for a safe and smooth journey
As our seas become more crowded – not just with shipping and fishing, but with infrastructure for energy, aquaculture, underwater cables and pipelines – and with greater concern for protecting the environment, the opportunity for ships to sail in (reasonably) straight lines between A and B is becoming increasingly rare.
Whether navigating on land or at sea, there are always restricted areas we need to be aware of. They might be set up to protect the ship, the environment, individuals, society or all of them. At sea, it is critical that we not only recognise the existence of restricted areas, but also thoroughly understand how to manage them. The restrictions applied within an area may range from partial limitations on specific activities to a complete prohibition on navigation and/or anchoring. The space you have available to navigate in is getting more difficult and complex all the time.
Restricted areas are defined by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). There are several types of restricted areas, each with their own restrictions for different operations and even during different times. It is not just a question of ‘do not sail here – ever’; many areas can be entered, but with limits on what you can do in them and when.
In this issue of The Navigator magazine, we hope to provide you with a better understanding of restricted areas, whether you are a junior officer or a seasoned Master. The most important thing to recognise is that you need to thoroughly understand what is coming up right from the passage planning stage. The entire bridge team can then plan how to manage the risks and impacts of the routeing choices from the very start. If you only realise the vessel is approaching a restricted area when it’s just over the horizon – it’s too late!
This issue contains an excellent article by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), providing an overview of restricted areas from a regulatory perspective, and explaining how they are shown on both paper and electronic charts (page 4). Commodore Nick Nash FNI shows what this looks like in practice, providing a step-by-step example of how a up-to-date cruise ship with the most modern equipment and data tools can plan and execute a passage in a most demanding area (page 6). Further articles discuss the quality of the data needed to make good decisions, an example of how a coastal state may monitor traffic for compliance and many tips for better understanding operational issues.
Understanding the restricted areas on an upcoming passage is best dealt with as a team. Planning should certainly include the bridge team, but also the engineers on board (particularly around any emissions control areas or similar) and with the shore-based safety teams as appropriate. Operating in and around restricted areas calls for the utmost levels of situational awareness, not only from the officer of the watch but from the bridge team as a whole. Often, different areas with different operational restrictions and times of application can overlap with each other. Shared knowledge is important as violations can lead to fines (at best) or even catastrophe.
As with all things in navigation, it is important not just to understand them yourself, but to also help your colleagues understand so that collectively you can make the best decisions. Ensure that all navigators understand the various areas you will encounter and the nature of the restrictions – but try also to understand the reason they are there. They represent the combined knowledge of those who have charted, regulated, and navigated these waters before us.