Rule 10 and the TSS...
International "Rules of the Road" apply everywhere in the Puget Sound, including Lake Washington. These rules not only dictate vessel conduct when meeting, overtaking, or crossing another vessel, but also specify vessel conduct near a traffic separation scheme -where one exists. Chances are you are familiar with the charted traffic lanes in the Puget Sound. If you are not, obtain a nautical chart of the area (s) you enjoy and familiarize yourself with them. See opposite page for an example. The traffic lane network in the Puget Sound begins at buoy J -"Juliet" north of Cape Flattery and continues all the way to Tacoma's buoy TC -"Tango Charlie" with Rosario Strait, and Haro Strait bound branches stemming from buoy SA -"Sierra Alpha."
Our TSS has two traffic lanes with a separation zone between them to divide east bounders from west bounders, and north from south. TSS buoys are placed at the termination/turning areas of the lanes and serve to mark the center of the separation zone. Strictly speaking, if you wish to avoid oncoming traffic, you always keep the separation zone, and buoys, on your port side. Under this arrangement you will meet all oncoming traffic "port to port" with room to spare.
The whole idea here is vessel predictability and safety.
You do not need our permission to use these charted lanes! Simply abide by the TSS rules: Proceed in the direction of traffic. If joining or leaving, do so at a TSS buoy by passing the buoy on your port side. When not near a buoy, join or leave a lane with the direction of traffic. Avoid the separation zone as much as possible. If it is necessary to cross the lanes (and separation zone) then do so at right angles to minimize the time crossing. When not using the lanes, you are responsible for knowing the location of the TSS, and avoiding others using it. Above all, do not impede traffic. Each year, numerous incidents involve boaters being in the way, or, proceeding the wrong way in a traffic lane. Often, the vessels they obstruct are large container ships or tankers that cannot maneuver sharply to avoid them.
1Much of the VTS area is without traffic lanes or radar coverage. The area east of Whidbey Island, the interior of the San Juan Archipelago, Hood Canal, all waters south of Pt. Defiance, and most of Colvos Passage are without a TSS or radar. Vessels that are required to participate make position reports via VHF-FM on the appropriate VTS frequency.