The water between a traffic separation scheme and the adjacent coast, normally reserved for local and small craft traffic.
Quick facts
Regulation
COLREG Rule 10
In practice
In practice, fishing vessels, small craft, coastal traders, and ferries regularly navigate within ITZs, making these areas high-risk for larger ocean-going vessels that must cross them when departing or arriving at ports located inside the scheme. Officers of the watch must be aware of the different traffic regime in the ITZ and must plan their approach and departure tracks to cross the ITZ at a right angle where possible, as COLREG Rule 10(c) requires for the main traffic lanes. SOLAS V/10 and the ISM Code's voyage planning requirements both address the use of routeing measures including ITZs.
Regulatory detail & full definition
An inshore traffic zone (ITZ) is the area between the landward boundary of a traffic separation scheme and the adjacent coastline. It is established to accommodate vessels proceeding along the coast that are too small or whose destination requires them to pass inshore of the main traffic lane, and to separate them from the main shipping traffic. COLREG Rule 10(d) states that a vessel shall not normally use the inshore traffic zone, but may do so if the vessel is in danger, or if it is proceeding to or from a port, offshore installation, or pilot station within the zone.
In practice, fishing vessels, small craft, coastal traders, and ferries regularly navigate within ITZs, making these areas high-risk for larger ocean-going vessels that must cross them when departing or arriving at ports located inside the scheme. Officers of the watch must be aware of the different traffic regime in the ITZ and must plan their approach and departure tracks to cross the ITZ at a right angle where possible, as COLREG Rule 10(c) requires for the main traffic lanes. SOLAS V/10 and the ISM Code's voyage planning requirements both address the use of routeing measures including ITZs.