On 12 January 2024, Shandong MSA updated the navigation warning for the fishery farms to the south of the route between Yantai and Weihai. We noted from the fresh navigation warning that since last year the areas of the fishery farms have frequently expanded at the southern edge of the route. The fishery farms are very close to the route at about 200m away from the southern edge. As the edge of the fishery farms changed in different seasons, the fishery farms may sometimes be even closer to the route.
In addition, the traffic density is high in the route. When a vessel navigates in the route to call Yantai port, she may pass through fishery farms especially when she is taking action to avoid collision in an urgent situation. If a vessel is more than 100,000 DWT, because of her size and the fishery farms are so close to the route, the risk of entering the fishery farms is higher.
The areas of fishery farms published by MSA are listed below:
E：37°38′39″N 121°38′48″E;
F：37°39′24″N 121°56′30″E;
G：37°34′30″N 121°45′20″E;
H：37°33′24″N 121°38′48″E.
An illustration of expanded fishery farms at the southern edge of the route
Suggestion on navigation safety
- Vessels that call Yantai port are reminded to pay special attention to the expanded fishery farms. Crew members are suggested to maintain proper lookouts, keep nav-aids in good working condition and comply with COLREG 1972 at all times.
- Vessels of less than 100,000 DWT are suggested to navigate in the route between Yantai and Weihai when they call Zhifu port area of Yantai port. Vessels of more than 100,000 DWT which call Zhifu port area and vessels which call Xigang port area are suggested to turn to the port area at an appropriate position which shall be away from the southern edge of the route.
- Masters are suggested to check with their local ship agents before their vessels call at Yantai port for the latest information.
