Annex - Recommendation for Navigational Guidance and Information Schemes for Ro-Ro Ferry Operations

  1 Shore-based navigational guidance and information schemes should support masters of ro-ro passenger ships in the conduct of safe passages, when sailing on particular ferry routes where such schemes are in use. Such schemes should be operated on the basis of existing maritime services, marine meteorological services, ice patrols and hydrographic services, by bringing together the different services in a consolidated form.

  2 These navigational guidance and information schemes should continually monitor the prevailing weather conditions, the seaway, the ice situation, and other navigational hazards along the particular ferry routes, and should make the information so gathered available, at regular intervals, to the masters of ro-ro passenger ships sailing on these routes.

  3 In bad weather and/or adverse ice and seaway conditions, the ro-ro passenger ships should be assisted by navigational information and warnings. The responsibility of the master concerning his command of the ro-ro passenger ship remains unaffected. In the event of extraordinary circumstances and in emergencies, information concerning such events should be transmitted to the appropriate Rescue Co-ordination Centres (RCC) so that appropriate action can be initiated without delay.

  4 The ferry operator and the Authority or the Authorities concerned, if two or more countries are involved, should develop a joint plan for the different ferry routes in consultation with the services involved.

  5 The master of a ro-ro passenger ship should report the following particulars at departure:

• name of ship and distinctive number or letters
• port of departure and port of destination
• sailing plan, as far as practicable
• time of departure and estimated time of arrival
• total number of persons carried abroad.

  6 During the passage, the master of a ro-ro passenger ship should comply with the reporting requirements established in the area of his ship's operations.

  7 When at sea, the master of a ro-ro passenger ship should participate in the navigational guidance and information scheme unless there are compelling reasons not to use the scheme. Any such reason should be recorded in the ship's log. The master should take account of the information, advice and warnings provided.