To ensure safe navigation and improve navigational environment along Fujian coastal waters, Fujian MSA has released the notice of adjusting the recommended routes along the coastal water to all vessels. The adjustments include inner routes, middle routes and outer routes. We hereby reminding all vessels to keep relevant nautical charts and publications up-to-date. Please be noted the geographical positions in this notice are based on the WGS-84 datum.
Recommended Inner Routes
The recommended inner route is close to the shore, leads to shallow in depth, restricted in water width and complex waypoints. Some sections of the routes pass through island waters, with many obstacles, intersections and complicated water flows. However, vessels can easily check their positions with aids of islands, lighthouses, and light marks. The route is dominated by vessels of less than 5,000 tons, with a high density of vessel traffic, especially during strong winds and waves. Some sections are only designed for small vessels due to restricted water depth and navigable width. The width of this route is not defined. It is recommended that southbound vessels navigate in the navigable waters on the west or north side of the route, and northbound vessels navigate in the navigable waters on the east or south side of the route to reduce encounters. The details of each section of the route are listed as follows:
1.1 Beiguan Dao-Fuying Dao
Table 1 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Beiguan Dao and Fuying
1.2 Fuying Dao-Yang Yu (Southbound)
Table 2 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Fuying Dao and Yang Yu (Southbound)
1.3 Yang Yu-Fuying Dao (Northbound)
Table 3 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Yang Yu and Fuying Dao (Northbound)
1.4 Xitai Shan-Kuishan Dao
Table 4 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Xitai Shan and Kuishan Dao
1.5 Kuishan Dao-Minjiang Kou (Southbound)
Table 5 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Kuishan Dao and Minjiang Kou (Southbound)
1.6 Minjiang Kou-Kuishan Dao (Northbound)
Table 6 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Minjiang Kou and Kuishan Dao (Northbound)
1.7 Minjiang Kou-East Dongluo Dao (Southbound)
Table 7 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Minjiang Kou and East Dongluo Dao (Southbound)
1.8 East Dongluo Dao- Minjiang Kou (Northbound)
Table 8 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between East Dongluo Dao and Minjiang Kou (Northbound)
1.9 East Dongluo Dao-Guyumen Channel
Table 9 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between East Dongluo Dao and Guyumen Channel
1.10 Guyumen Channel-North of Pingtan Strait Bridge
Table 10 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Guyumen Channel and North of Pingtan Strait Bridge
1.11 Haitan Haixia via Daxiaolian Channel
Table 11 Waypoints of the Recommended Route for Haitan Haixia via Daxiaolian
1.12 Pingtan Strait Bridge Waters (Southbound)
Table 12 Waypoints of the Recommended Route in Pingtan Strait Bridge Waters (Southbound)
1.13 Pingtan Strait Bridge Waters (Northbound)
Table 13 Waypoints of the Recommended Route in Pingtan Strait Bridge Waters (Northbound)
1.14 Pingtan Strait Bridge-Nanri Shuidao
Table 14 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Pingtan Strait Bridge and Nanri Shuidao
1.15 Bai Yu to Nanri Shuidao via Mu Yu
Table 15 Waypoints of the Recommended Route from Bai Yu to Nanri Shuidao via Mu Yu
1.16 Nanri Shuidao- Xiangzhi Jiao (Southbound)
The southbound route from Nanri Shuidao to Xiangzhi Jiao consists of two sections: from Nanri Shuidao to Pinghai Wan and from Pinghai Wan to Xiangzhi Jiao.
①Nanri Shuidao-Pinghai Wan
Due the effects of Pinghai Wan offshore wind farm, the route from Nanri Shuidao to Pinghai Wan is currently being optimized and adjusted. Vessels are advised to navigate with cautions by checking the sailing directions (to be released) and other nautical publications for water depth, obstacles, aids to navigation, as well as the wind, waves, tides, and their own conditions. Southbound vessels are recommended to navigate on the north side of the water area. These southbound vessels should keep appropriate communication with other northbound vessels and avoid encounter situations in the Jian Yu buoy light waters. All vessels should remain radio watchkeeping via VHF to receive necessary information from local MSA and O&M department of offshore wind farms. Vessels will enter the following section of the route when sailing to the A50 waypoint point (25°07'47.6"N, 119°16'35.0"E).
②Pinghai Wan- Xiangzhi Jiao
②Pinghai Wan- Xiangzhi Jiao
Table 16 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Pinghai Wan and Xiangzhi Jiao
1.17 Xiangzhi Jiao-Nanri Shuidao (Northbound)
The northbound route from Xiangzhi Jiao to Nanri Shuidao consists of two sections: from Xiangzhi Jiao to Pinghai Wan and from Pinghai Wan to Nanri Shuidao.
①Xiangzhi Jiao-Pinghai Wan
Table 17 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Xiangzhi Jiao and Pinghai Wan
②Pinghai Wan-Nanri Shuidao
Due the effects of Pinghai Wan offshore wind farm, the route from Nanri Shuidao to Pinghai Wan is currently being optimized and adjusted. Vessels are advised to navigate with cautions by checking the sailing directions (to be released) and other nautical publications for water depth, obstacles, aids to navigation, as well as the wind, waves, tides, and their own conditions. Northbound vessels are recommended to keep clear of aids to navigation and turbines in the offshore wind farm waters, remain communication with southbound vessels to avoid collisions, especially encountering other vessels in the Jian Yu light buoy waters. All vessels should remain radio watchkeeping via VHF to receive necessary information from local MSA and O&M department of offshore wind farms..
1.18 Xiangzhi Jiao-Dongding Dao
Table 18 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Xiangzhi Jiao and Dongding Dao
1.19 Minjiang Kou-Dongxiang Jiao (Southbound)
Table 19 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Minjiang Kou and Dongxiang Jiao (Southbound)
1.20 Dongxiang Jiao-Minjiang Kou (Northbound)
Table 20 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Dongxiang Jiao and Minjiang Kou (Northbound)
1.21 Dongxiang Jiao-Dongshan Dao
Table 21 Waypoints of the Recommended Route between Dongxiang Jiao and Dongshan Dao
Recommended Middle Routes
The middle route connects northern boundary (the coastal waters between Fujian and Zhejiang, east of Taishan Dao) and southern boundary (the coastal waters between Fujian and Guangdong). This route is a common route for medium-sized vessels that passing or calling major ports along the coast of Fujian. The middle route is straight and less waypoints in open sea areas, thereby with no limitations of depth and height of navigational clearance. The navigation aids system is well developed for necessary positioning for the medium and large vessels. The width of this route is not set. It is recommended that southbound vessels navigate along the west side and northbound vessels navigate in the east side to reduce encounters. The waypoints of the recommended middle route are shown in the table below.
Table 22 Waypoints of the Recommended Middle Route
Recommended Outer Routes
The outer route starts from the boundary between the coastal areas of Fujian and Zhejiang (north) and ends at the boundary between the coastal areas of Fujian and Guangdong (south). The middle route is straight and less waypoints in open sea areas, with no limitations of depth, width and air clearance. The route is far from the shore, hence the mainly effects are wind and waves, with few landmarks available for positioning. This route is suitable for large vessels navigating under all weather conditions, and suit for medium-sized vessels navigating under good weather and sea conditions. This route consists of the northbound outer route and the southbound outer route, which are relatively separated. The corresponding routes should be considered for all vessels based on their directions. The recommended turning points are shown in the table below.
（1）Southbound Outer Route
Table 23 Waypoints of the Recommended Outer Route (Southbound)
（2）Northbound Outer Route
Table 24 Waypoints of the Recommended Outer Route (Northbound)
Source: Fujian MSA
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