Dover Coastguard are currently issuing urgent navigation warnings to all shipping entering or about to enter the traffic separation scheme in the Dover Strait regarding the latest phase of the French fishermens protest.
Gary Brown, watch manager at Dover Coastguard said
31 French fishing vessels, line abreast, are moving up the north east lane of the Dover Strait at 1 knot, thereby slowing all traffic behind them. Although this group of fishing vessels are allowing a mile width of open sea to the eastern side of the lane, given the sheer size and number of vessels which transit through the Strait each day, inevitably delays will occur, hence the warning to other shipping.
The French Coastguard at Cap Griz Nez have direct monitoring responsibility over the north east lane whilst the British Coastguard based at Dover monitor by radar movement throughout the south west lane. 400 – 500 ships a day pass through the Dover Strait which is criss-crossed by passenger ferries 24 hours a day.
Any vessel entering either lane must by law report to either the French or the British Coastguard and both marine emergency services have an oversight on the Channel electronically to detect shipping movements. The Coastguard aircraft at Manston is also standing by to assist in aerial monitoring.
The Coastguard Tug `Anglian Monarch is also mid Channel and is reporting back to Dover Coastguard on activities on scene and she has been joined by three French patrol craft.
