As part of the N2000 fairway and nautical chart reform, the use of merchant shipping fairways has also been reformed and the planned fairway design draught is emphasised. The reform aims to improve the safety and efficiency of the use of fairways.
The safe clearance depths replaces the maximum authorised draughts
The most noticeable example of this is the change that has been made to nautical charts, where the maximum authorised draughts have been removed from the charts and only the safe clearance depths are shown for merchant shipping fairways. Fairway design draughts are described in more detail in the Nautical Publication Sailing Directions for Finnish waters. Essential fairway information for navigation is presented in nautical charts and maritime publications. Changes are communicated through Notices to Mariners (NtM).
The principles of channel depth of Finnish merchant shipping fairways are described in the Instruction Principles and application of channel depths in Finland. The fairway authority is responsible for the fairway and for ensuring confirmed water depths (safe clearance depth), as well as for providing fairway-related information to the Transport and Communications Agency for recording in information systems.
The use of a fairway in a manner different from the design draught requires a notice
The use of fairways is based on their design draughts. The design draught of a fairway does not guarantee that a vessel with a draft not exceeding the design depth (adjusted for water level) can safely use the fairway at all times or at all speeds without risk of grounding. The evaluation and determination of the draft used by the vessel is always the responsibility of the ship’s master.
It is recommended to use fairways according to their design draughts, but gross under keel clearance may be utilised if there is sufficient net under keel clearance. If the fairway is to be used in a manner different from the design draught, the vessel must give notice of the use of the fairway. Instructions on Notice of channel use have been published for this. You can find the instructions further down on this webpage. The instructions outline the following topics:
- the distribution of responsibility when using fairways
- the presentation of fairway information in nautical charts and maritime publications
- the practical application of (design) dimensions provided about fairways
- specific route planning requirements in certain situations
- notification procedures related to the use of fairways as part of maritime traffic monitoring
The use of fairways is further specified in the guidelines below, issued by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom).