TNAG-2897-FCO40-4171-Hong-Kong-piracy-in-the-South-China-Sea-1993 — Page 68

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68 The TTEG does not have a fixed schedule of meetings but meets as and when

A necessary, with the three countries taking turns in hosting the meetings. significant achievement of the Group was the drawing up of routeing measures for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. The measures were jointly put up to IMO by the three countries and, following their adoption, were brought into force on 1 May 1981. Besides the routeing measures, the three countries have, also through the TTEG, undertaken a hydrographic survey of the Straits and produced common datum charts for same.

Conclusions

69 As a result of its deliberations, the Group drew the following conclusions:

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Navigation in the area of the Malacca and Singapore Straits requires particular vigilance of navigators (specially for deep-draught ships) due to the restricted channels, tidal streams, frequent crossing traffic and fishing craft, rain squalls with associated heavy traffic, unreliability of aids to navigation and numerous unconfirmed wrecks and shoal patches.

Areas of particular concern with relation to safety of navigation

are:

Deep draught vessels crossing the TSS to enter Singapore; Upgrading of aids to navigation to assist deep-draught vessels; and

The low participating rate in the Singapore VTIS.

The present voluntary reporting scheme for deep-draught vessels is satisfactory.

There is, at present, no particular need for a sophisticated VTS for the Malacca Strait.

To effectively ensure the safe navigation of deep-draught vessels it would be advisable to resurvey such shoal patches as may be necessary. No need has been perceived for the increase of the present minimum underkeel clearance of 3.5 metres.

There may be merit in the consideration of routeing measures to cover navigationally sensitive areas within the Straits area.

The matter of routeing vessels into safer areas was not considered by the Group as this is not possible within the Straits area, and for other areas is site specific.

The Singapore VTIS is a significant factor in safety of navigation and all vessels should participate.

Many navigational problems being experienced in the area appear to be related to crew competence rather than local conditions.

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