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General Procedures & Rules

Procedures to which ships are subject including reporting, tugboat obligations, and convoy rules.

Compulsory Procedures & Regulations

1. General Compulsory Procedures

Reporting Requirements

  • •SP 1 Report must be sent to TBGTH according to TÜBRAP.
  • •SP 2 Report must be submitted to the relevant GTHM according to TÜBRAP.
  • •Call Point Report must be submitted to the relevant GTHM.
  • •Position Report must be submitted to the relevant GTHM.
  • •Marmara Report (MARRAP) must be submitted to the relevant GTHM.

Operational Rules

  • •AIS must remain operational at all times in the TBGTH area.
  • •VHF sector channel must be monitored continuously while anchored or sailing.
  • •Ships must continuously consider navigational, safety, environmental, and emergency instructions provided by GTHM.
  • •Any dangerous navigational condition detected must be immediately reported to the relevant GTH Center.

Mandatory Reporting Events

All vessels navigating the TAD in the Sea of Marmara must report the following to the relevant VTS Center:

• Berthing• Mooring to buoys• Anchoring• Turning back• Breakdowns• Emergencies• Delays exceeding 2 hours
📞Pilotage communications must be made via VHF Channel 71.

2. Vessels Subject to Tugboat Requirement

The following vessels are subject to tug escort:

Ships with full length ≥ 200 m (except Ro-Ro, container, bulk carriers)
All vessels making a double passage
Vessels subject to additional passage conditions
All vessels with full length ≥ 250 m
Deep-draught vessels

3. Vessels Subject to Additional Passage Conditions

Applicable Vessels

  • Passenger vessels excepted
  • Vessels ≥300 m full length
  • Platforms, floating docks, and similar watercraft
  • Any length if towed or pushed alongside

Subject to daytime transit + Pilot + Additional rules

Passenger Vessels ≥ 300 m

  • ✓ May transit Istanbul Strait during daylight
  • ✓ May transit Dardanelles at night
  • ✓ Must be piloted
  • ✓ Must comply with all additional rules

4. Application Process

(a) 10-Day Advanced Application

  • At least 10 days in advance via agents
  • Apply only to Istanbul Regional Port Authority if using both Straits
Commission considers: Navigation safety, Life & property safety, Environmental safety, Air draft limits.

(b) Year-long permission (300m+ Passenger/Container)

  • Conditions valid for 1 calendar year.
  • Transits allowed without re-establishing Commission if conditions form met.

5. Air Draft Restrictions

Restricted Heights:

Istanbul Strait54–58 m
Dardanelles Strait66–70 m

Requirements:

  • 10-day prior application via agents
  • Max draft certified by classification society
  • Commission determines additional conditions

6. Additional Transit Rules for Convoys

(a) Convoys < 300 m

  • • Apply to TBGTH 3 business days in advance
  • • TBGTH determines conditions

(b) Convoys ≥ 300 m

  • • Apply 10 days in advance to Port Authority
  • • Submit technical documents
  • • Commission determines conditions
!
Restriction: Single tug may NOT tow more than one vessel.
!
Mandatory: All towed passages must be daylight only, with pilot.

Towline Length Requirements

  • Total length <150 m≥25 m towline
  • Total length ≥150 m≥50 m towline

Tug Assignment (by Tow Length)

  • < 100 m ≥20 tons BP
  • 100 - 150 m ≥30 tons BP
  • ≥ 150 m ≥60 tons BP