Marine Advisory: 11/2021 - Areas to be Avoided (ATBN) - Advisory Notice of the Government of Tristan da Cunha to enhance Safety of Navigation

SUBJECT: Areas to be Avoided (ATBN) - Advisory Notice of the Government of Tristan da Cunha to enhance Safety of Navigation

TO: ALL Owners/Operators/Masters of Liberian Flagged Vessels

Reference: (a) Tristan da Cunha – Areas to be Avoided

Dear Shipowners/Operators/Masters:

Purpose:

The purpose of this Marine Advisory is to inform of two recently designated Areas to be Avoided (ABTA) by the Government of Tristan da Cunha.

Background:

On 1^st April 2020 the Government of Tristan da Cunha (TdCG) designated two Areas to be Avoided (ATBA) within its Marine Protection Zone (MPZ) in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago to increase the safety of navigation and the protection of the environment by reducing the possibility of shipping incidents.

The ATBAs are voluntary and are applicable to all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above solely in transit with a radius of 25 nm around each island. They are centred around (1) Tristan da Cunha and (2) Gough Island. The ATBAs can be highly hazardous to navigate with vessels at significant risk of running aground.

Since the designation of the ATBAs, TdCG has been monitoring the merchant vessel traffic transiting its maritime limits and has identified a number of near-misses where vessels have narrowly avoided going aground. TdCG is responsible for the management of activities within its maritime domain and wishes to protect its important and sensitive maritime habitat that is essential to the economy and well-being of its population.

Action:

Owners, operators and masters are encouraged to review the referenced information booklet and take action as deemed appropriate.

The related Announcement may be found in reference (a).

Questions regarding this Advisory should be directed to RegsandStandards@liscr.com

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