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The purpose of providing Principal Fairways and Traffic Separation Schemes is to improve the safety of navigation in areas where traffic density is high or traffic movement is restricted. There are 16 Principal Fairways and 2 Traffic Separation Schemes in the waters of Hong Kong.
Principal Fairways
- Eastern Fairway
- Ma Wan Fairway
- Hung Hom Fairway
- Kap Shui Mun Fairway
- Central Fairway
- Ha Pang Fairway
- Yau Ma Tei Fairway
- Castle Peak Fairway
- Northern Fairway
- Urmston Road Fairway
- North Green Island Fairway
- West Lamma Fairway
- Southern Fairway
- South Shek Kwu Chau Fairway
- Western Fairway
- Soko Fairway
Traffic Separation Schemes
- Tathong Channel Traffic Separation Scheme
- East Lamma Channel Traffic Separation Scheme
Vessels using a Principal Fairway or Traffic Separation Scheme shall abide by the following rules and regulations.
Particular attention shall be drawn to the following items:
When Using Principal Fairway
| DOs | DON'Ts |
|---|---|
| Always observe COLREGs and remember NO special right of way for a vessel proceeding along a Principal Fairway | Anchor within the fairway limits |
| Keep to the outer limit of the fairway which lies on the starboard side of your vessel | Engage in fishing within the fairway limits |
| Sound the appropriate signals as required by COLREGs regarding overtaking situations | Impede the passage of a large vessel |
| Cross a fairway at right angle |
When Using Traffic Separation Scheme
| DOs | DON'Ts |
|---|---|
| Always observe COLREGs | Anchor in Traffic Separation Scheme at or near its termination |
| Proceed in the appropriate lane in the direction of traffic flow for that lane | Enter a separation zone or cross a separation line except in case of emergency or to avoid immediate danger |
| Keep clear of a traffic separation line or separation zone | Impede the safe passage of a large vessel following the traffic lane |
| Join or leave a traffic lane at its end where possible | |
| When joining or leaving a traffic lane from either side, do so at as small an angle as possible to the general direction of traffic flow | |
| Cross the traffic lanes at right angles | |
| Navigate with particular caution in areas where traffic lanes terminate or where there is a precautionary area |
Vessels Not Using Principal Fairway or Traffic Separation Scheme shall avoid it by as wide a margin as is practicable