A
Vessel Traffic Service - VTS, is
a marine traffic monitoring system established by harbour
or port authorities, similar
to air traffic control for aircraft. Typical VTS
systems use radar, closed-circuit television, VHF radiotelephony
and AIS to keep track of vessel movements and provide
navigational safety in a limited geographical area.
Vessel Traffic Services are an important instrument for
safeguarding the area where it is established. VTS is
governed by Guidelines of the International Maritime
Organization (IMO A. 857(20) previously A. 578(14) which
was revoked on 27/11/1997) with regard to the implementation
and operation. A VTS performs three basic tasks in order
to carry out its services:
Data
collection
Data evaluation
Data dissemination
The VTS recognized maritime picture (RMP) is compiled
and collected by means of advanced sensors such as
Radar, AIS, Direction Finding, CCTV and VHF or
other co-operative
systems and services. A modern VTS integrated all of
the information in to a single operator working environment
for ease of use and in order to allow for effective
traffic organization and communication.
The image shows
a typical state-of-the-art integrated operator working
position. A VTS should always have a comprehensive ‘traffic
image’ which means that all factors influencing
the traffic as well as information about all participating
vessels and their intentions should be readily available.
By means of the traffic image, situations that are
developing can be evaluated and responded upon. The
data evaluation depends to a great extent on the quality
of the data that is collected and the ability of the
operator to combine this with an actual or developing
situation. The data dissemination process exists of
conveying the conclusions of the operator. Forms
of data dissemination possible are:
Information service: providing information to vessels,
that in principle can be checked by the vessels involved;
this means that at this stage the operator is not providing
an advice. However, in the day to day practice of a VTS,
information that is properly given is often suggesting
a specific course of action by the sequence of the information
provided.
Navigational Assistance
Service: a service provided to an individual vessel
giving at its request or when
deemed necessary by the VTS to assist directly the decision
making process on board the vessel concerned. This service
consists of information relating to a specific vessel
and may include warnings and advice, as long as it is
not the intent to direct the course to be steered or
engine orders to be executed. In providing Navigation
Assistance, the VTS participates in the onboard decision
making process by giving: information on a vessel’s
course and speed made good; information on its position
relative to fairway axis or waypoints, information on
the vessel’s position or identity and intentions
of the surrounding traffic. This service is not intended
to advice courses to be steered or engine manoeuvres
to be executed.
Traffic Organization may include establishing and operating
a system of traffic clearances in relation to the priority
of movements, the allocation of space, mandatory reporting
of movements, established routes to be followed, speed
limits to be observed or other appropriate measures considered
necessary by the VTS authority. Where the VTS is authorized
to issue traffic organization-related instructions to
vessels, the instructions should be results oriented,
this means that the details of execution are left to
the vessel. The successful operation of a traffic organization
regime requires transparent rules, efficient communication
and positive identification of all vessels.
A very important item is the acceptance of a VTS by
the shipmaster and officers. A VTS operator should never
consider himself to be conducting / piloting the vessel;
that is the task of the master. However if his education
is at least at the same level of the master then a situation
of mutual trust is easily established.
The VTS in Malta was installed and is maintained by Medcomms Ltd in collaboration with Norcontrol IT.
