-12
- 41-
23
The recently completed safety study by OCIMF concluded that a significant safety improvement would result if selected navigational buoys were replaced with fixed light beacons or fixed radar transponder beacons. OCIMF submitted these proposals to the sixty-first session of the MSC, which instructed the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation to consider them at its thirty-ninth session in September 1993 and advise the Committee as appropriate.
24 The Group is basically in agreement with the OCIMF proposals (MSC 61/7/1) and consider that the installation of the additional aids to navigation proposed would significantly increase the safety of navigation in the area.
Routeing measures
25 The routeing measures in the Straits consist of traffic separation schemes at One Fathom Bank, Singapore Strait and the vicinity of Horsburgh Light. There is a precautionary area dividing the Singapore Strait and Horsburgh Light TSS. Apart from advisory recommendations in various publications and IMO rules for vessels navigating through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, no other routeing measures are in place at the present time.
26 The above traffic separation schemes cover the main areas of traffic congestion and restricted fairways within the Straits.
27 There are areas outside these TSSs where the Group considered navigation for deep-draught vessels to be particularly difficult and further assistance to shipmasters is recommended to enhance safety of navigation and protection of the marine environment.
...
28 The first of these areas is off Medang and Cape Rachardo where large vessels are required to make major course alterations in relatively narrow waters. The OCIMF/ICS Publication "Straits of Malacca and Singapore A Guide to Planned Transits by Deep Draught Vessels" (Third Edition 1990) advises a recommended track "off Tanjung Medang", which the Working Group considered to be of value to shipmasters.
29 This area and the area around Fair Channel Bank are reported on in conjunction with new aids to navigation elsewhere in this report.
30 The Group considered the necessity and practicality of extending the present traffic separation schemes or the introduction of additional schemes, particularly in the area around Fair Channel Bank and agreed there could be merit in the NAV Sub-Committee Working Group on Ships' Routeing considering the introduction of additional TSSs in selected areas within the Strait where the density and converging nature of traffic and other navigational hazards would so warrant as well as the possible extension of existing TSSS and the establishment of a deep-water route.
IMO rules for navigation
31 The Group, taking into account discussions with the littoral States, looked at the appropriateness of the IMO "Rules for Vessels Navigating through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore" (reproduced in annex 8) and the need for any amendments/changes to the Rules.
W/9181e