Strait of Juan de Fuca and Adjacent Waters |
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Why is the Coast Guard conducting the study? The study, begun in January 1999, was seen as one of the best ways to address the risks of vessel collisions, powered groundings, and drift groundings – those accident types identified as the highest risk. The goal of the study is to review the existing vessel traffic routes and other traffic management tools currently in use, with an eye toward improving one of the safest waterways management systems in the world. Guiding Principles
Tracking Ships The Strait of Juan de Fuca and the adjacent waters, including Haro Strait, Boundary Pass, Rosario Strait and the Strait of Georgia are managed jointly by the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards. Joint management is accomplished primarily through the Cooperative Vessel Traffic System (CVTS). This one-of-a-kind system allows for management of vessel traffic in a waterway segment without regard to the international boundary. Through a series of radar sites and voice communications all participating vessels are tracked throughout the waterway. Shipping Lanes A vessel traffic separation scheme, similar to a divider median on a highway, is used to maintain a safe distance between opposing vessel traffic by adding order and predictability to vessel movements. Preliminary Study Results Recommend: Based upon a review of various studies and data concerning traffic patterns and risk, the Coast Guard has identified several areas where waterway safety improvements could be made and is currently soliciting feedback on these proposals: |
Entrance:
Strait of Juan de Fuca:
Port Angeles "Rotary":
Haro Strait and Boundary Pass:
Rosario Strait:
Strait of Georgia:
Other Sources
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The Thirteenth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office (dep) created this page on December 27, 1999 and last modified it June 26, 2002. This page may be reproduced locally. If any changes are needed please notify D13 (dep) at 206.220.7237. More Coast Guard information can be accessed at http://www.uscg.mil and a complete listing of these fact sheets can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/d13. |