International Sea Lanes

Recognized sea lanes and traffic-separation schemes (TSS) route ships through congested or hazardous waters such as the Dover Strait, Malacca, and the approaches to major ports. COLREGs Rule 10 governs conduct in an IMO-adopted TSS: proceed in the lane’s general direction, keep clear of the separation zone, join and leave at the ends or at a shallow angle, and cross on a heading as near right angles as practicable. The schemes are charted and amended through IMO and notified in Notices to Mariners.