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R.A. 5173, as amended by P.D. 601

a. Philippine Coast Pilot, 6th Edition, 1995
b. Regulation V/8 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974/1978
c. Convention on the International Regulation for Preventing Collision at Sea, 1972 as amended
d. IMO Ship's Routeing System

These Memorandum Circular prescribes the rules and regulations to be followed by vessels navigating the area along Verde Island passage.

These rules and regulations apply to all vessels transiting through the North and South passages of Verde Island.

a. Routeing System

Any system of one or more routes or routeing measures aimed at reducing the risk of casualties; this system includes traffic separation schemes and precautionary areas.

b. Traffic Separation Scheme

A routeing measure aimed at the separation of opposing traffic by appropriate means and by the establishment of traffic lanes.

c. Separation Zone

A zone separating the traffic lanes in which ships are proceeding in opposite or nearly opposite directions.

d. Traffic Lane

An area within defined limits in which one-way traffic is established.

e. Recommended Track

A route which has been specially examined to ensure as far as possible that it is free of dangers and along which are advised to navigate.

f. Precautionary Area

An area within defined limits where ships must navigate with particular caution

g. Area to be avoided

An area within defined limits in which either navigation is particularly hazardous and which should be avoided by all ships.

h. Inshore Traffic Zone

Area between the landward boundary of a traffic separation scheme and the adjacent coast.

i. Established direction of traffic flow

A traffic pattern indicating the directional movement of traffic as established within a traffic separation scheme.

a. The Routeing System is reflected on the NAMRIA Chart Number 4305 (Mindoro and Vicinity, 1998 Corrected 2nd Edition)

b. Imaginary lines consisting of a separation zone, traffic lanes and inshore traffic zones are established along the channel as described in paragraph 7 (a).

c. The Rules of the Road shall apply in all respects along with the prescribed rules and regulations herein.

d. Notwithstanding paragraph 6 (c), the General Prudential Rule of the Rules of the Road shall take precedence over the prescribed rules and regulations herein.

a. Description of the Traffic Separation Scheme

1) A separation zone is bounded by lines connecting the following geographical positions:

Point (A) Lat 130 34.8' N Long 1200 54.3' E
Point (B) Lat 130 34.4' N Long 1200 54' 3' E
Point (C) Lat 130 34.4' N Long 1210 02.3' E
Point (D) Lat 130 34.8' N Long 1210 02.45' E

2) A separation zone is bounded by lines connecting the following geographical positions:

Point (E) Lat 130 32.9' N Long 1210 05.9' E
Point (F) Lat 130 33.2' N Long 1210 05.85' E
Point (G) Lat 130 33' N Long 1210 13.6' E
Point (H) Lat 130 30.65' N Long 1210 16.5' E
Point (I ) Lat 130 30.45' N Long 1210 16.3' E
Point (J) Lat 130 32.8' N Long 1210 13.5' E

3) A traffic lane for northbound traffic is established between the separation zones described in paragraphs 7 (a1) and 7 (a2) and a line connecting the following geographical positions:

Point (K) Lat 130 36.8' N Long 1210 54.3' E
Point (L) Lat 130 36.8' N Long 1210 05.3' E
Point (M) Lat 130 35.3' N Long 1210 15.5' E
Point (N) Lat 130 32.5' N Long 1210 18.6' E

4) A traffic lane for southbound traffic is established between the separation zones described in paragraphs 7 (a1) and 7 (a2) and a line connecting the following geographical positions:

Point (O) Lat 130 32.7' N Long 1210 54.3' E
Point (P) Lat 130 32.6' N Long 1210 00.1' E
Point (Q) Lat 130 28.9' N Long 1210 03.1' E
Point (R) Lat 130 30.6' N Long 1210 12.1' E
Point (S) Lat 130 28.6' N Long 1210 14.3' E

b. Areas to be avoided

An area to be avoided is established at the vicinity of Verde Island bounded by a line connecting the following geographical positions:

Point (T) Lat 130 31' N Long 1210 04.' E
Point (U) Lat 130 31.35' N Long 1210 06.75' E
Point (V) Lat 130 33' N Long 1210 05.8' E
Point (W) Lat 130 34.6' N Long 1210 05.8' E
Point (X) Lat 130 34.8' N Long 1210 02.6'E
Point (Y) Lat 130 33.6' N Long 1210 02.1'E

c. Precautionary Areas

Precautionary areas are established when transiting the traffic lane close to Verde Island and when changing courses to steer.

d. Inshore Traffic Zones

1) The area between the northbound traffic lane and the Batangas coast until Maricaban Island.

2) The area between the southbound traffic lane and the Mindoro coastline.

e. 1) The established traffic separation scheme shall be mandatory for all vessels passing through the North or South Passage of Verde Island for use by day and by night in all weather condition.

2) A vessel navigating a traffic separation scheme shall:

a) Proceed within the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane;

b) Keep as near to the outer boundary of the traffic lane, which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable;

c) As far as practicable, keep clear of the traffic separation zone; and

d) Normally join or leave a traffic lane at the termination of the lane, but when joining or leaving from either side, shall do so at as small an angle to the general direction of established traffic flow as practicable.

3) A vessel shall, as far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes, but if obliged to do so shall cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angle to the general direction of the traffic flow.

4) a) A vessel shall not use the designated inshore traffic zone when she can safely use the appropriate traffic lane. The inshore traffic zone is for vessels optional to pass the traffic lanes.

b) Notwithstanding subparagraph d ( i ), a vessel may use the inshore traffic zone when en route to or from a place situated within the inshore traffic zone, or to avoid immediate danger.

5) A vessel other than a crossing vessel or a vessel joining or leaving a lane shall not enter the separation zone except in cases of emergency to avoid immediate danger.

6) A vessel navigating in areas near the terminations of the TSS shall do so with particular caution.

7) No vessel shall anchor in, near the TSS, or in areas near its termination.

8) A vessel not using the TSS shall avoid it by as wide a margin as is practicable.

9) Vessels that are not mandatory to navigate within the TSS shall not impede the passage of a power-driven vessel following the established traffic flow of a traffic lane.

10) By Rules 10 (k) and 10 (l) of the COLREGS, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver when engaged in an operation for either the maintenance of safety of navigation or the laying, servicing or picking up of a submarine cable within the TSS is exempted from complying with Rule 10 and the rules herein to the extent necessary to carry out the operation.  However, shipmasters/owners/operators, government and non-government entities that may be involved in this operation should ensure that:

a) the Philippine Coast Guard, through its Districts/Stations/Detachments and the Maritime Safety Affairs, shall be informed for the issuance of appropriate Notice to Mariners. And no operation shall be undertaken until after its issuance and dissemination.

11) No fishing/fishing-related activity shall be allowed within the TSS.

12) When a master of a vessel observes another vessel, not following the prescribed passage rules, shall appropriately use "YG", meaning you appear not be complying with the traffic separation scheme, as provided in the International Code of Signals.

a. In cases of emergency, a vessel shall steer towards a safe sea and as far as possible out of the TSS.

b. A vessel not under command shall strictly conform to Rule 27 of COLREGS.

a. All ship masters/owners/operators shall be held responsible for disseminating the rules and regulations prescribed herein.

b. Masters/Patrons of ships/vessels shall be held responsible for any loss of life and/or property as may be caused by any deviation or non-compliance with the provisions of this Memorandum Circular.

c. Master/Patron of any vessel observing vessels not following the Rules of Passage shall report/submit a marine protest as soon as possible to the nearest PCG Unit or at the next port of call.

d. PCG units of CGD STL, receiving, the report/marine protest shall immediately forward it to HPCG (Attn: CG-3/CGAC), which in turn shall forward it to HCGD STL and CG-8.

a. Coast Guard District STL (SBMI) shall investigate all incidents reported/forwarded therein and should recommend the following:

1) First Offense: Suspension of Master/Patron's License for three (3) months;

2) Second Offense: Suspension of Master/Patron's License for one (1) year; and

3) Third Offense: Revocation of the Master/Patron's License

The provisions of Memorandum Circular 06-93 inconsistent with this Circular are hereby amended/modified accordingly.

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication once in a newspaper of general circulation.