Update routing recommendations Mejillones, Chile

Since the early 2000s, multiple scientific reports have been made of sightings of great whales (blue, fin and humpback) in Mejillones bay. The oceanographic opwelling is observed along the coast of the Mejillones peninsula. Upwelling brings nutrient-rich water from the deep sea towards the surface and it is these nutrients that attract cetaceans.

In order to protect these animals from ship strikes, the first routing guidelines for Mejillones were issued in 2022 based on an initial set of whale data obtained by our local biologist, Ana Garcia. The data showed a pattern of higher whale density around Cape Angamos.

The Whale Guardians program was in its infancy and finding its way into the shipping world.

Our routing recommendations aimed to steer vessels away from the areas with the highest whale density. We collaborated with the Mejillones shipping authorities and the Chilean Navy to ensure that our recommendations were broadly supported by the local community.

Recent whale data confirms the pattern in whale presence that was observed in 2021. The development of our in-house whale protection app now allows us to create better visuals and further refine our routing recommendations. For this reason, we felt that it was the right time for a first update of our Mejillones routing recommendations.

Additionally, we have decided internally to move away from using suggested waypoints in our whale protection measures.

We believe that working with so-called Areas To Be Avoided (ATBAs) and Speed Reduction Zones (SRZs) provide greater clarity for navigators using our routing recommendations.

It also helps avoid inadvertently pushing ships into close-quarter situations, as vessels might otherwise use the same approach waypoints when calling at a given port.

It is important to note that the ATBAs we are designing are voluntary and are not official IMO-adopted ATBAs as defined in the General Provisions on Ships’ Routeing pursuant to regulation V/10 of the SOLAS Convention (amended 2000). However, we believe that using well-established terminology enhances clarity for users of our recommendations.

General guidelines for Mejillones

• Avoid sailing in the Mejillones bay during night time. Whales are generally feeding along the surface of the water during night time. During the daytime, whales feed in deeper waters & thus the risk of ship strikes of these animals is reduced. Try to plan your arrival or departure accordingly (within the legal obligations of your charter party).

• When arriving from the West (on an Easterly heading), avoid sailing along the 200m depth line. Instead try to cross the 200m depth line on a 90 degree angle wherever practical. This is due to the fact that the whales are concentrating very often near steep underwater contours for catching their prey.

• Consider putting a lookout on the bow during hours of daylight. This person can report whale sightings to the bridge by radio.

• If the vessel is fitted with a CCTV on the bow, this equipment can be used instead of a lookout.

• Ensure maximum maneuverability of the vessel (steering gear & main engine on

  standby) to allow evasive maneuvering in case of sightings within short distance.

• Consider reducing the ship's speed when sailing in the area. As a general rule,

  the slower the speed, the better for whale protection.

Mejillones Bay - Area To Be Avoided (ATBA)

The majority of the sightings of cetaceans is concentrated in the Southwestern part of

the bay area, around the cape of the Punta Angamos. We have therefore drawn an Area

To Be Avoided (ATBA) around the tip of the Punta Angamos peninsula.

The whale sightings are well documented within the anchorage area of Mejillones and

we therefore excluded the anchorages from the ATBA. We realize that a minor deviation

of less than 1 Nautical Mile needs to be made for reaching the anchorages and remain

clear of the ATBA.

This ATBA is in addition to the mandatory NO-GO area for ships larger than 50GT,

imposed by the local authorities (1,5 NM from Punta Angamos).

Mejillones Bay - Speed Reduction Zone (SRZ)

Given the fact that the whales are omnipresent in the Mejillonnes bay, we have

designated a Speed Reduction Zone for all vessels sailing in the area. We request all

vessels to reduce the speed (through the water) to 10 knots or below.

The below printscreen shows the SRZ as the yellow zone around Mejillones.

Coordinates are written near the borders of the zone.