Following up on Circular DGPIMA/022/CCP/2021, dated July 20th, 2021, we emphasize on the contents of Circular SN.1/Circ.326 dated May 23rd-2014, whereby the Maritime Safety Committee, lnternational Maritime Organization (IMO), adopted, by virtue of what was established in Resolution A.858 (20), on traffic organization measures, other than traffic separation devices.
In this sense, in order to help reduce the risk of lethal strikes with cetaceans, it is recommended that, as far as it is safe and practica! to do so, ships should proceed at a speed of not more than 1 O knots from 1 August to 30 November every year.
In view of the foregoing, it is important to note that this recommendation applies to both traffic lanes of the Traffic Separation Scheme in the Gulf of Panama, north of latitude 08º00′.00 N.
Circular SN.1/Circ.326 (2014) Routeing measures other than traffic separation schemes.
1. The Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninety-third session (14 to 23 May 2014), adopted, in accordance with resolution A.858 (20), the following new routeing measures other than traffic separation schemes:
1.1. Two-way route in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait
1.2. Recommendations on navigation for the new traffic separation scheme “On the Pacific coast of Panama” (Part 1 “Gulf of Panama”);
1.3. Precautionary area for the new traffic separation scheme “At the approaches to Puerto Cristobal”;
and revoked the existing routeing measures other than traffic separation schemes:
1.4. Existing area to be avoided and a mandatory no anchoring area at El Paso deep-water port in the Gulf of Mexico.
Recommendations on navigation in the traffic separation scheme “on the pacific coast of Panama”
(Part 1 “golf of Panama)
Precautionary area “At the approaches to Puerto Cristobal”
Reference chart: British Admiralty 1400, 2000 edition.
Note: This chart is based on World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84) datum.
Description of precautionary area:
A precautionary area is established by a line connecting ten geographical positions:
(22) 09°21′.40 N, 079°59′.10 W (onshore)
(2) 09°28′.90 N, 079°59′.20 W
(5) 09°31′.00 N, 079°57′.52 W
(8) 09°32′.20 N, 079°56′.50 W
(9) 09°33′.40 N, 079°54′.92 W
(12) 09°33′.90 N, 079°53′.50 W
(13) 09°33′.85 N, 079°51′.20 W
(16) 09°33′.15 N, 079°49′.80 W
(3) 09°31′.95 N, 079°48′.10 W
(23) 09°29′.00 N, 079°43′.50 W (onshore)
Then, following the coast line from the geographical position (23) to geographical position (22).
Note:
In the precautionary area ships are required to proceed with caution owing to the arrival and departure of ships to and from the Panama Canal and the ports located in the bays of Limón, Manzanillo and Las Minas.
* This information was taken from the statement issued by the Panama Maritime Authority in circular DGPIMA-016-CCP-2022