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    This artical is reproduced with permission of the MCA and is taken 
    from their website--- www.mcga.gov.UK     correct as of JUNE 2009

Click on the link below for direct access to the CNIS information page
HM Coastguards / CNIS - Dover Strait unorthdox crossing information  

Unorthodox Crossing of the  Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme 

          Copyright Maritime and Coastguard Agency

General

 In the past, many attempts have been made to cross the Dover Strait by unconventional 
means and/or in unorthodox craft.  It is true to say that few of these attempts have ended 
in tragedy and many have been made for the most laudable reasons.  
Nevertheless anyone thinking of making such an attempt in the future should take into 
account the following factors before proceeding with their plans and perhaps incurring 
unnecessary expense.

The Dover Strait

 The Dover Strait is the busiest shipping lane in the world.  Many of the ships passing
through the Strait carry dangerous cargoes.  These cargoes, if accidentally released into
 the sea, could have disastrous effects on the environment, marine life and the coastlines 
of England , France and the North Sea States.  The passage of ships through the Dover 
Strait is further complicated by the presence of strong tides, sandbanks, shoals and a 
great deal of concentrated cross-channel traffic.  Much of the crossing traffic is made up
 of high-speed ferries carrying as many as 2400 passengers. 
 The very large vessels passing through the Strait can be difficult to manoeuvre.  
They may take several miles to stop or turn.  Some new container vessels are 318 metres 
long, 42 metres wide and service speed is 24 knots (35 mph).  They have to commit 
themselves to a course of action long before they can see a swimmer or detect on radar 
his escort boat, a small rowing dinghy or any other small craft. 
 Weather conditions in the Strait are liable to rapid change.  Even in comparatively light 
winds, the strong tides can give rise to rough seas with steep breaking waves.  
Visibility is often poor, changing quickly to dense fog, even in strong or gale-force winds, 
rendering navigation difficult.

Traffic Separation Scheme

 Recognising the dangers of navigation in the Dover Strait , a Traffic Separation Scheme, 
approved by the International Maritime Organisation, has been established.  
Two lanes akin to motorways run through the Strait for inward and outward-bound traffic.  
The Rules for navigating in or near a Traffic Separation Scheme are internationally agreed.  
The basic guidelines to be followed are set out in Rule 10 of the Merchant Shipping 
(Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions)(Amendment) Regulations 1991.  
Taking into account that the word ‘vessel’ includes every description of watercraft used or 
capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.   Rules 10(c) and 10(j) of the 
Regulations are particularly relevant to any plans to cross the Strait in an unorthodox craft 
or by unconventional means. 
 Rule 10(c) first requires that a vessel shall so far as practicable avoid crossing traffic lanes 
or a Traffic Separation Scheme.  Secondly, it requires that if a vessel is obliged to cross 
traffic lanes it should do so steering at right angles to the direction of traffic flow.  
Rule 10 (j) requires that a vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall 
not impede the safe passage of a power-driven vessel following a traffic lane.

National Laws

 The National Laws of both France and the United Kingdom require compliance with the 
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.  In addition, according to
 French law, vessels are classified according to their characteristics, such as beach 
amusement craft, which in French waters are not allowed to sail more than 300 metres 
from the coast.  Moreover French Law makes it compulsory for organisers of any regattas, 
racing events, etc., to inform the French Administration in advance. 
 Unconventional Crossings of the Dover Strait in Unorthodox Craft
 Most of the unorthodox craft used in attempts to cross the Dover Strait are very small and 
have limited speed and ability to manoeuvre.  They are not adequate for deep-sea navigation 
in a heavy traffic area.  Their presence, or that of a group of them in the Dover Strait , will 
dangerously impede the vessels in the traffic lanes and may lead to a marine casualty.  
It is the view of the Anglo/French Safety of Navigation Group that such crossings are highly 
irresponsible, and that potential participants must be persuaded to look for a challenge 
elsewhere, in areas where they do not constitute a hazard to other people going about their 
lawful activities. 
 As clearly stated above the Maritime Prefect of the Channel and the North Sea has issued 
an order (No 14/93) expressly forbidding swimming and associated activity of an unorthodox 
nature within the Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme, within French territorial waters.  

The sole events excluded from the prohibition are those Cross Channel swimming 
attempts organised and approved by the Channel Swimming Association (CSA) and 
 (CS&PF).   

Unorthodox craft, which are characterised by slow speed and poor or non-existent manoeuvrability, 
such as tyres, bathtubs, rafts and pedalos, are not authorised to proceed more than 300 metres 
from the French coast.  As a consequence they do not have the right to sail in French territorial 
waters within the Pas de Calais Traffic Separation Scheme.  
The French Maritime Authorities prohibit crossings of the Pas de Calais by unorthodox craft setting 
out from the French coast.  The same applies to beach pleasure craft.  However, in exceptional cases 
the French Maritime Authorities may grant authority for unorthodox craft to cross French territorial waters 
within the Traffic Separation Scheme when these craft set off from the British coast,  on condition that 
the request for authorisation is sent to them with the opinion of the British Maritime Authorities. 
 If however, after the above advice you still intend to proceed with an unconventional crossing, for 
example by swimming in or under the water or in any craft, structure or floating object other than a 
vessel adapted or intended to be used for a sea voyage, you should: 
 Contact Details

UK Coastguard

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency
 HM Coastguard,
MRCC Dover
Langdon Battery
Swingate
DOVER
Kent
CT15 5NA Telephone:01304 218500 Fax:01304 218505
e-mail: channel.navigation@mcga.gov.uk Web site: http://www.mcga.gov.uk

French Coastguard

Centre Régional Opérational de Surveillance et de Sauvetage (CROSS) Gris Nez
 Audinghen 62179
Wissant
FRANCE

Telephone:(00 33) 3 21 87 21 87 Fax:(00 33) 3 21 87 78 55

Recognised Channel Swimming Organisations

Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CS&PF)
 Secretary:  Michael Oram
Tel: 01843 852858
e-mail: michael.oram@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.channelswimming.net

Channel Swimming Association (CSA)

Secretary: Julie Bradshaw
e-mail: swimsecretary@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.channelswimmingassociation.com