Vessel Traffic Service
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is a marine traffic monitoring system established by harbor 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.
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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 VTS is governed by Guidelines of the International Maritime Organization (IMO A. 857(20) previously A. 578(14) which was revoked on 27/11/1997) with regard to the implementation and operation.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 and
- 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.
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. Three forms of data dissemination are possible:
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 is a service to prevent the development of dangerous situations and to provide for the safe and efficient movement of traffic within the VTS area. It concerns the forward planning of movements and management of space and is particularly relevant in times of congestion or when the movement of special transports may affect the flow of the traffic. Monitoring traffic, enforcing adherence to governing rules and regulations, and communicating existing conditions to VTS-participants and sometimes allied services, are essential elements of traffic organization.
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.
[edit] External links
- Overview of VTS around the world
- Puget Sound VTS - Largest VTS system in the United States
- Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services - Canadian VTS
- HITT Traffic, VTS Systems Provider
- Norcontrol in Horten, VTS systems Provider
- Transas, VTS Systems Provider
- Navielektro, Provider of the Worlds Largest Integrated Vessel Traffic Management System
