When crossing lanes in a TSS, how should a vessel orient itself?

When a vessel is crossing lanes in a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), it should orient itself as nearly as practicable at right angles to the traffic flow. This approach is designed to minimize the risk of collisions by ensuring that the crossing vessel presents the smallest possible profile to the traffic moving in the designated lanes. By crossing at right angles, the vessel can reduce the time spent exposing itself to oncoming traffic, thereby enhancing safety.

In addition, this maneuver aligns with the principles outlined in the COLREGs, which emphasize maintaining safety and avoiding risk of collision when navigating through busy shipping routes. This practice helps maintain an orderly flow of maritime traffic, allowing vessels to navigate through high-traffic areas with more predictability and reduced chances of interference with other vessels.

Other approaches, like crossing at an angle to the traffic flow or parallel to the lanes, do not provide the same level of safety or efficiency in terms of navigation. These methods may create greater chances for encounters with vessels navigating in the lanes and can lead to increased confusion and risk.