What is VTS?

What are its main and auxiliary

purposes? Describe its parts, resources and
functions in detail. What are the drawbacks and
limitations of the VTS?
• VTS: A vessel traffic service (VTS) is a marine traffic
monitoring system established by harbour or port authorities,
similar to air traffic control for aircraft.

• Main purpose of the VTS is to improve safety and efficiency

of navigation, safety of life at sea and protection of marine
environment, adjacent shore area, offshore installation from
possible adverse effects of maritime traffic.
• Auxiliary purposes of the VTS would be to expedite ship
movements, increase transportation system efficiency,
and improve all-weather operating capability. They
receive weather, tide and tidal current information from
remote sensors within the operating area.
• Parts of the VTS can be described as the various zones in which
a VTS area is usually divided. Each zone has a unique identity and
working VHF frequency.

• Resources of the VTS include systems such as radar, VHF

radiotelephony, CCTV and AIS that help to keep track of
vessel movements and provide navigational safety in a
limited geographical area. They also obtain information
from vessels in the form of reports and use Radio direction
finder that helps to locate direction from which radio
frequencies are coming. This device particularly helps in
acting like a vessel finder.

• Functions: Vessel traffic services are used for the sole purpose
of making all ship routes safer and more efficient. With trained
personnel, this function becomes easier and makes marine
routes safer. VTS helps in identification and monitoring of
vessels, strategic planning of vessel movements and provision
of navigational information and assistance to other vessels. It can
also assist in prevention of pollution & co-ordination of pollution
 response. VTS monitor all ships in their area and have a
comprehensive overview of the traffic and communicate with
the vessels within its area as and when needed. The systems
may also receive weather, tide and tidal current information
from remote sensors within the operating area. The precise
objectives of any VTS will depend upon the particular
circumstances in the VTS area and volume & character of
maritime traffic.

• Drawback and Limitations:

1. Limitation associated with the use of AIS in VTS operations

- not every vessel is required by the rules to carry AIS.
Therefore, the AIS will not be capable of providing the full
picture of the maritime traffic in the VTS area unless it is
integrated with other surveillance systems. Also, the
validity of the information received by the AIS depends on the
accuracy of the information transmitted.
2. Many VTS radar screens have the targets names moving with
the targets. These names often jump from one to another
targets close by.
3. Communication with the VTS may lead to distraction
and loss of situational awareness of the Master or OOW.
4. VTS may bring in complacency in the Bridge Team in areas
where the VTS provides good navigational assistance and
warns vessels of developing close quarter situations.
5. VTS surveillance has a limited range, i.e. few nautical miles
from the VTS Centre.
6. VTS operators may not be trained at sea, some may be radio
operators. They may not understand the ship behaviour or
ship’s manoeuvring capabilities and limitation.

Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)

• The purpose of the VTS is to improve safety and efficiency of

navigation, safety of life at sea and protection of marine
environment, adjacent shore area, offshore installation from
possible adverse effects of maritime traffic.
• The IMO has developed guidelines for VTS which are
 associated with the Regulation 12 of SOLAS. It allows
Contracting authority to establish VTS in places where the
volume of traffic or the degree of risk justifies such services,
keeping in mind the guidelines developed by the IMO.
• The use of VTS may only be made mandatory in sea areas
within the territorial seas of a coastal State, not in
International waters. In International waters, a Ship Reporting
System (SRS) may be established.
• The VTS can be of two types namely; Port or Harbour VTS and
Coastal VTS. The Port or Harbour VTS is mainly concerned with
vessel traffic to and from a port or harbour, whereas the Coastal
VTS is mainly concerned with vessel traffic passing through the
area. A VTS could also be a combination of both.
• VTS helps in identification and monitoring of vessels, strategic
planning of vessel movements and provision of navigational
information and assistance to other vessels. It can also assist in
prevention of pollution & co-ordination of pollution response.
• VTS are able to monitor all ships in their area and are capable of
generating a comprehensive overview of the traffic and are able
to communicate with the vessels within its area. This is usually
accomplished using Radars, AIS, TV cameras, etc.
Communication is by VHF on assigned frequencies.
• The systems may also receive weather, tide and tidal current
information from remote sensors within the operating area.
• The quality of accident-prevention measures will depend on the
system's capability of detecting a developing dangerous
situation and their ability to give timely warnings of such
dangers to concerned vessels.
• The precise objectives of any VTS will depend upon the
particular circumstances in the VTS area and volume &
character of maritime traffic.
• There are three types of services usually provided:
1. The Information service is provided by broadcasting
information at fixed times or at the request of the vessel, such
as reports of position, identity, intention of other traffic,
weather, hazards or factors that may influence the vessel’s
transit.
 2. The Navigational assistance is especially important
in difficult navigational or meteorological circumstances. It
is rendered when requested by a vessel or when the VTS
thinks it is necessary.
3. Traffic organization service concerns with the operational
management of the traffic, planning vessel’s movements, to
prevent congestion and dangerous situations. It is mainly
used in places of high traffic density and measures such as
mandatory reporting, speed limits, routes to be followed,
etc. are enforced.
Manouevring in and Near VTS areas:

• Vessels navigating in or near VTS areas should make use of these

services.
• The Master must make the best use of the VTS at all times
when making navigational decisions. All the requirements of the
VTS including mandatory reporting must be a part of vessels
Passage Plan.
• When in the VTS area, the OOW must ensure that a VHF watch is
kept on the appropriate VHF channel and required reporting is
carried out.
• Depending on the Government’s rules and regulations,
participation in a VTS system may be voluntary or mandatory.
The Master must be familiar with the rules and requirements of
the area they are operating in. Appropriate publications giving
this information must be available onboard and referred.
• Traffic separation schemes (TSS) may be incorporated in the
VTS or SRS areas, in which case, Rule 10 of COLREGS must be
complied with at all times.
• Communication between the ship and the shore (VTS) is
essential for the safe operation of the vessels operating in the
VTS area.
• Understanding of the information communicated is of prime
importance. For this, SOLAS makes English the common
language to be used by all for communication, unless those
involved in the communications speak a common language
other than English. To avoid misunderstanding, one must always
 use the Standard Marine Communication Phrases as far as
possible.
• Whenever in doubt regarding the movement of the traffic, the
Master or OOW must not hesitate to seek advice or information
from the VTS. Also, if any vessel is causing concern (such as
slowing down in a TSS), the same can be reported to the VTS.
• A log must be maintained of all the communication with the VTS
such as the mandatory reporting or any advice given by the
VTS.
Explain the common theme in Ship’s Routeing, Ship
reporting system and VTS.
• The common theme in the Ship’s Routeing, Ship Reporting
system and the Vessel Traffic services is that all of them are part of
SOLAS Chapter V - Safety of Navigation. Regulation 10 –
Ship’s Routeing, Regulation 11 – Ship Reporting Systems and
Regulation 12 – Vessel Traffic Services.
• All the three systems contribute to safety of life at sea, safety and
efficiency of navigation and/or protection of the marine
environment.
• All the three systems are recommended for use by, and may
be made mandatory for, all ships, certain categories of ships or
ships carrying certain cargoes, as per guidelines and criteria
developed by the Organization.
• The IMO is recognized as the only international body for
developing guidelines, criteria & regulations on International
level for above 3 systems.
• Contracting Governments shall refer proposals for the
adoption of ship reporting systems and ship’s routeing
systems to the Organization. However, VTS can be
established by the Contracting Government where, in their
opinion, the volume of traffic or degree of risk justifies such
services.
• The initiation of action for establishing of ship’s routeing or
reporting system is the responsibility of the Government or
Governments concerned. In developing such systems, the
guidelines and criteria developed by the Organization shall be
taken into account.
Communication and Reporting Procedure

Communication between a VTS authority and a participating vessel should

be conducted in accordance with the Guidelines and Criteria for Ship
Reporting systems and should be limited to information essential to
achieving the objectives of the VTS. IMO Standard Marine
Communication Phrases should be used where practicable. In any VTS
message directed to a vessel or vessels, it should be made clear whether
the message contains information, advice, warning, or an instruction.

1. Communication with the VTS and other vessels should be conducted

on the assigned frequencies in accordance with established ITU and
SOLAS chapter IV procedures, in particular where a communication
concerns intended manoeuvres.
2. VTS procedures should stipulate what communications are required
and which frequencies should be monitored. Prior to entering the VTS
area, vessels should make all required reports, including reporting of
deficiencies. During their passage through the VTS area, vessels
should adhere to governing rules and regulations, maintain a
continuous listening watch on the assigned frequency and report
deviations from the agreed sailing plan, if such a plan has been
established in co-operation with the VTS authority.
3. Masters of vessels should report any observed dangers to navigation
or pollution to the VTS centre.
4. In case of a complete failure of the vessel’s appropriate
communication equipment the master shall endeavour to inform the
VTS centre and other vessels in the vicinity by any other available
means of communication of the vessel’s inability to communicate on
the assigned frequency. If the technical failure prevents the vessel
from participation or continuing its participation in a VTS, the master
should enter in the vessel’s log the fact and reasons for not or further
participating.
5. Vessels should carry publications giving full particulars on governing
rules and regulations regarding identification, reporting and/or conduct
in the VTS area to be entered.
 Example of VTS Communiocation / Reporting

VTS Communication – Reporting on

Name/Call Sign of your vessel: MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ (MV). You want to report on at Shangrila VTS-
Centre called Shangrila Traffic (ST). You have to respond to Shangrila Traffic using the information in
your handouts. Make use of the IMO SMCP wherever practicable. The correct VHF calling procedures
have to be applied.

Shangrila Traffic is talking to you from the loudspeaker. Shangrila Traffic will address you with your call
sign because the VTS operator did not get the full name of your vessel in your initial call.

ST: Vessel call sign L4JZ – vessel call sign L4JZ – vessel call sign L4JZ

this is Shangrila Traffic – Shangrila Traffic – Shangrila Traffic

Advice: Change to VHF Channel 69, please. over

MV: Shangrila Traffic this is MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ

Understood. Changing to VHF Channel 69. over

MV: Shangrila Traffic this is MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ

on VHF Channel 69. over

ST: Vessel call sign L4JZ this is Shangrila Traffic

Your flag sate is Simland, correct?

Advice: Spell the name of your vessel, Captain. over

MV: Shangrila Traffic this is MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ

Yes, you are correct, Sir. My flag state is Simland.

I spell the name of my vessel: Mike-Oscar-November-Romeo-

Oscar

next word: Bravo-Oscar-November-Alpha-Victor-India-Sierra-

Tango-Alpha

call sign: Lima-four-Juliett-Zulu over

ST: MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ this is Shangrila Traffic

Question: What is your position, please? over

MV: Shangrila Traffic this is MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ

Answer: My position is about 2 nm south of buoy Delta 9. over

ST: MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ this is Shangrila Traffic

There are three vessels in a line from the North to the South, Captain.

Question: Which of the three are you? over

MV: Shangrila Traffic this is MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ

Answer: I am the southernmost of the three vessels. over

ST: MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ this is Shangrila Traffic

Well, Captain, I still have a problem to locate you.

Advice: Alter your course for 25 ° to the NE for identification. over

MV: Shangrila Traffic this is MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ

Understood. Altering my course for 25° to the NE for identification. over

ST: MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ this is Shangrila Traffic

OK, fine, I have located you on my radar screen now.

What can I do for you, Captain? over

MV: Shangrila Traffic this is MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ

My destination is Shangrila Central Port.

Question: Is a berth clear for me? over

ST: MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ this is Shangrila Traffic

I see, Captain, in this case I need to know some more information, Captain.

Question 1: What is your draft forward and aft?

Question 2: What is your cargo? over

MV: Shangrila Traffic this is MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ

Answer 1: My draft forward is 9.25 m, my draft aft is 10.20 m.

Answer 2: My cargo is 2 821 20' containers, no dangerous goods . over

ST: MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ this is Shangrila Traffic

Understood. Draft forward 9.25 m, aft 10.20 m. Cargo 2 821 20' Containers,
 no dangerous goods.

Last questions, Captain:

Question 1: What was your last port of call?

Question 2: Who is your agent in Shangrila, Captain? over

MV: Shangrila Traffic this is MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ

Answer 1: My last port of call was Lusan in Korea.

Answer 2: My agent in Shangrila is SinoTrans Limited. over

ST: MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ this is Shangrila Traffic

OK, Captain, wait a moment, please.

Information: Your orders have changed.

Advice: You have to proceed to Rudong Container Terminal, berth no. 16.

Contact Rudong Traffic on VHF Cannel 73 for further information.

Did you get it, Captain? over

MV: Shangrila Traffic this is MV Monro Bonavista/L4JZ

Understood. My orders have changed.

Proceeding to Rudong Container Terminal, berth no. 16.

Changing to VHF Channel 73 for Rudong Traffic.

Thank you for your assistance, Sir. Good watch. out.