SAFETY GUIDLINE FOR PREVENTING OF COLLISION BETWEEN MERCHANT VESSELS AND FISHING VESSELS  IN CHINESE COASTAL WATERS

1. Normal Navigational Methods

1.1 Before entering the areawaters where fishing vessels are concentrated

1.1.1 The captain should strictly checkexamine passage planthe Voyage Plan, as far as practicable adopt the recommended route as much as possible when planning the route,  and try the best to avoid entering the fishing vessels concentrated waters, so as to reduce the chance of encountering with fishing vessels.

1.1.2 Examine and test navigational aids and communication equipment such as RADAR, ECDIS/ECS, AIS, VDR, VHF, Navigational lights and sound-signalling equipment to ensure that all are in goodsound working condition.

1.1.3 Reasonably arrange crewsMake proper arrangement on navigational watch. There should be at least 2 crew members engaged on the bridgewatch at any timeall times on navigating watch and look-out.

1.1.4 The navigation sSafety precautions and corresponding actions guide for navigating in the fishing area should be clearly posted at a prominent position on the bridge.

1.2 Passing byNavigating in or getting 

closeapproaching to to the arewaters awhere fishing vessels are concentrated

1.2.1 It should be borne in mind that: Safety First, Don't take risks, Take a detour! As far as practicable Aavoid to sail intoentering the waters where fishing vessels are concentrated the fishing boats concentrated area as much as possible.

1.2.2 The crew on navigational watch should be reasonably arrangedAppropriate bridge watch arrangement shall be made.,The number of bridge team may be increased a sufficient number of qualified personnel should be increasedaccording to the high traffic density of fishing vessels and the duty intensity of navigation watch. Don’t hesitate to call the captain to the bridge immediatelyany time indoubt. when necessary.

1.2.3 The captain should set and announceissue the Nnight Oorders in response to the special precautionary requirements for  sailingthe safe navigation in fishing area at the night time.

1.2.4 The crew on navigational watchBridge should keep sharp look-out, turn onuse two or more radars  to obtain early warning of risk of collision by long-range and short-range scanning. Do not rely too much on a single navigational aids, every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions. 

1.2.5 Proceed at a safe speed at all times.

1.2.6 Make sure the AIS messageinformation is correctupdated and the device is in good working condition.

1.2.7 All measures shall be taken to avoid Nwatchkeepers to work avigation in fatigue andor after drinking should be absolutely prohibited.

1.3 Special Precautions

1.3.1 When the summer fishing offmoratorium ends,usually it is the time when the density of fishing vessels is highest.

1.3.2 Based on accident statistics, frommost collisions between merchant vessels and fishing vessels occur in the period between 23:00 (GMT+8)toand 04:00. the next day is the High-frequency time of merchant ship and fishing boat collision accident,tTherefore special attention should be given in this duration.

1.3.3 Special attention should also be paid to some fishing vessels anchored at night which might be without any crewnot arrange watchkeeper on watch, not or display proper display lights andor turnhave operational  onAIS as required, and also to the interference from a largethe excessivenumberuse of AIS-Net-Locators on the use of AIS, Radar and ECDIS/ECSfishing nets or fishing marks.

1.3.4 When a fishing vessel is observed sailingproceeding at the speed around 3 knots, she is possibly engaged in fishing and restricted in her ability to manoeuvre, keep clear at least 1 nautical milea safe distance when is necessaryever possible.

1.3.5 Even a slight collision or contact between a merchant vessel and a fishing vessel might cause damage to or capsize the fishing vessel and cause subsequent damage to both the vessel and her crew. Howeverit is sometimes hard to be observed by watchkeepers on merchant vessesls, and might be neglected by the crew of merchant vessel. Therefore, When passing a fishing vessel at close range, great care should be taken to ensure that there is no collision, wave damage or vessel suction.observe and check carefully to ensure that there is no scraping, wave damage or boat suction, when passing a fishing boat at a close range.

1.3.6 It is recommended that vessels sailing from the southern parts of the South China Sea to Japanese or Korean ports, and vessels that do not call at Chinese ports, proceed from the waters east of Taiwan Island and try to stay away from the coastal waters of China.

2. Action to Avoid Collision

2.1 Comply with the COLREG 1972,.aAny action to avoid collision shall be taken in ample time,.The alteration of course and/or speed shall be large enough.Action taken to avoid collision shall be such as to result in passing at a safe distance until the other vessel is past and clear., ample range and clear. Try to coordinate the collision avoidance actions through VHF CH16; however if there is no answeringresponse from the fishing vessel after several calls, it might means that the fishing vessel is notdoes not maintain listening watch stand by no on theVHFsuch channel. When communicating with VHF, give a full consideration to the limitations of accent and language expression, andand ensure that both parties are clear about each other's their intentions.

2.2 Watch out for possible collisions caused by fishing boats in uncoordinated actions taken byr fishing vessels at close distancerange. When finding a fishing vessel that needs emergency collision avoidance actions, flash the searchlightgive at least 5  timesshort and rapid flashes by ALDIS light, or use a continuous sound signal to attract theher attention of the fishing boat.

2.3 In an emergency  avoidancesituation, you should also consider reducing speed andor stopping enginethe vessel to avoid collision in addition to using the rudderthe alteration of course.

2.4 Action to avoid collision should decided fully take into account giving fullconsiderations tothe surrounding conditions, so as not toso that such action will not result in any close-quarter situations with any other vessels.

3. Emergency Rescue

3.1 When a collision is unavoidable, it should be avoided as far as possible that the bow of your own vessel is heading to the fishing vessel.

3.2 The vessel should be stopped immediately after a collision. Life-saving rescue should be put at first priority and no effort should be sparedall endeavors shall be made to carry out the on-site rescue. Before all people in distress are saved, as long as your own safety is not severely threatened.,It is strictly forbidden to give up search and rescue and leave the scene without authorization it is strictly forbidden to escape. Such behavior at sea means giving up the lives of others and will face severe punishment by law! Nothing can be left to chance， aAided by the modern technology, almost all escapedhit-and-run ships after a collision will be tracked and seizeddown.

3.3 Immediately call the vessels nearbyin the vicinity to involve in attend to the rescue operations. 

3.4 By all effective means, report to the nearest competent authority immediately. The contents of thissuch reportshould include the location of the accident, the name of the vessel in distress, casualties, damage, weather and sea conditions, rescue needs, etc..

Every crew member on navigational duty should be familiar with the above information.