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According to the IMO recommendation SN.1/Circ. 263 of 23 October 2007
Amendments to the recommendations on navigation through the Entrances to the Baltic Sea section 1.9 and 1.14 the IMO recommends use of pilot from Skagen to Gedser and vice versa for ships with a draught of 11 metres or more following Route T on their voyage through the Entrances to the Baltic Sea. The IMO Sailing Direction expresses an international acknowledgment of the fact that the Entrances to the Baltic Sea are congested and difficult to navigate.
The Danish Pilotage Authority would like to point out that international consensus on recommending use of pilot was achieved owing to the risk of groundings or collisions of large ships navigating through Danish waters.
Between Gedser and Spodsbjerg, the effect of sea level variations caused by a combination of tide and meteorological conditions together with unknown obstructions on the seabed and sand migration could decrease the depth with as much as 2 metres.
The area is difficult to navigate due to the heavy traffic in the area of the Kadetrenden and due to the fact that sand migration is constantly narrowing the manoeuvring space of deep draught vessels.
Between Grenaa and Skagen, there is a significant risk of ships running aground and of collision due to traffic congestion where routes meet.
Therefore the Danish Pilotage Authority highly recommends use of pilot in Route Tango throughout. |
