Report Text:
Report of vessel ‘AAA’ observed contravening the Strait Of Hormuz Traffic Separation Scheme by proceeding against the general direction of traffic flow; August 2007. Attached is a video playback from our vessel’s ECDIS and additionally screenshots showing greater detail. The vessel’s details were obtained from her AIS @ 20:45 (All times quoted are GMT) and are as follows:
Vessel Name: ####
MMSI: ########
Call Sign: ####
Destination: BHARAIN
Length: 78m
Breadth: 13m
Draft: 4.0m
SOG: 7.7Kts
COG: 240°
Status: Underway Using Engines
Latitude: 26° 32.6N
Longitude: 056° 29.1E
The times shown on the ECDIS Playback are GMT, shown bottom left. Vector lengths are 12 minutes.
The vessel was seen to be exhibiting the lights for a power driven vessel (2 masthead lights, sidelights and a stern light) and in addition 2 all round red lights on the main mast were observed.
CHIRP Comment:
The reporter kindly sent us a CD with a recording showing the westerly track of the other vessel in the east –bound traffic lane off Hormuz. Given that the vessel appeared to be capable of steering courses around Hormuz, albeit in the wrong traffic lane, it is difficult to believe that she was justified in showing the two red lights prescribed by Rule 27 for vessels not under command or restricted in their ability to manoeuvre. We are contacting the Flag State of the other vessel.
