MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE PORT MARINE CIRCULAR No 02 of 2011 30 May 2011
To: Shipping Community
NIGHT SIGNALS FOR VESSELS CROSSING THE TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME (TSS) AND PRECAUTIONARY AREAS IN THE SINGAPORE STRAIT DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS
A finding from a study found that one of the contributing factors of incidents in the Singapore Strait was that vessels transiting in the Strait are unable to distinguish whether a vessel arriving or departing from the port of
Singapore would be crossing the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). This is due to the difficulties in visually identifying the vessel especially at night when there are background lights from landwards. To address the issue of identifying crossing vessels during hours of darkness, a night signal was proposed consisting of “three all-round green lights in a vertical line” which will be displayed by vessels to indicate its intention to cross the TSS. That will allow other vessels in the appropriate lanes to take actions if required and hence enhance
navigational safety.
With effect from 1st July 2011 at 0000hrs UTC (0800hrs Singapore LT), vessels crossing the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) and precautionary areas in the Singapore Strait are recommended to display the night signals consisting of 3 all-round green lights in a vertical line.
This measure was adopted by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-eighth session (24 November to 03 December 2010) in accordance with the provisions of resolution A.858(20).3 Ship owners, agents and masters of vessels are: (a) to take note of the details regarding the display of the night signals set out in Appendix 1; and (b) recommended to comply with the procedures set out in Appendix 1 when intending to cross the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) and precautionary areas in the Singapore Strait.
Please contact Capt Aram A Ramakrishnan at DID (65) 6325 2450 if you have any queries.
LEE CHENG WEE
PORT MASTER
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Appendix 1
AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES FOR VESSELS NAVIGATING THROUGH THE STRAITS OF
MALACCA AND SINGAPORE – RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VESSELS CROSSING THE
TRAFFIC SEPERATION SCHEME (TSS) AND PRECAUTIONARY AREAS IN THE SINGAPORE
STRAIT DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS (INTERIM RECOMMENDATORY MEASURE)
1 Vessels are recommended to display the night signals consisting of 3 all-round green lights in a vertical line in the following situations.
a) Vessels departing from ports or anchorages when crossing the westbound or eastbound lane of the TSS or precautionary areas in the Singapore Strait to join the eastbound or westbound lane respectively; and
b) Eastbound or westbound vessels in the TSS or precautionary areas in the Singapore Strait crossing to proceed to ports or anchorages in the Singapore Strait.
2 The night signals should be displayed by:
a) Vessels of 300 gross tonnage and above
b) Vessels of 50 metres or more in length; and
c) Vessels engaged in towing or pushing with a combined 300 gross tonnage and above, or with a combined length of 50 metres or more.
3 Vessels crossing the TSS and precautionary areas in the Singapore Strait to proceed to or from ports or anchorages are recommended to comply with the following procedures:
a) A vessel in the Singapore Strait which intends to cross the eastbound or westbound traffic lanes in the TSS or precautionary areas respectively, is recommended to comply with the following:
i. report to the VTIS to indicate its intention in advance
The specifications of the lights used in configuring the “3 green lights” signal are to comply with positioning and
technical details of lights in Annex I of COLREG.
ii. display the signals consisting of 3 all-round green lights in a vertical line. VTIS would alert ships in the vicinity to keep a good look out for the crossing vessel.
iii. when traffic condition is favourable, alter course boldly if necessary, (to be readily apparent to other vessels in the vicinity observing by sight or radar) and cross the traffic lane on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.
iv. report to VTIS and switch off the night signals when it has safely left/crossed or joined the appropriate traffic lane.
b) Displaying the night signals shall not exempt the crossing vessel of its obligation to give way to other vessels in a crossing situation or any other rules under the COLREG.
Note: The above is an extract of IMO Circular SN.1/Circ 293 dated 7 December 2010.
