The Port of London Authority has received comment from practising navigators that an increase has been noted in the use of VHF to propose and agree a course of action for collision avoidance that may not comply with the Collision Regulations.
The attention of mariners is drawn to MGN 167 (M+F) of Jan 2001 which highlights the dangers in the use of VHF Radio in collision avoidance and cites case law in discouraging the practice. This same MGN recognises, however, that the practice of using VHF radio as a collision avoidance aid may be resorted to on occasion, especially in pilotage waters.
The caveat on the use of VHF radio as a collision avoidance aid in pilotage waters has always been recognised as applicable to the waters within the Port of London Authority's port limits, particularly in those areas where channels join and divide. Whilst the advent of AIS may have reduced the chance of misidentification, the warning on inherent dangers identified within MGN 167 still holds true. Mariners are reminded, therefore, that the use of VHF to propose and agree a course of action for collision avoidance that may not fully comply with the Collision Regulations should normally be for reasons of due navigational prudence and not just convenience.
