DECK WATCHKEEPING WITH BRM

(COURSE TITLE)

DW 2
(COURSE CODE)

3RD YEAR/ A. Y 2022-2023

(TERM/ ACADEMIC YEAR)

MODULE 11
(MODULE NUMBER)

CAPT. EMILIO F. TOLENTINO

(COURSE INSTRUCTOR)

TO BE CODE BY QMO
(DOCUMENT CODE)
DECK WATCHKEEPING 2

 Deck Watchkeeping with BRM

COURSE DESCRIPTION
 This course aims to provide student the knowledge and understanding of the steering
system, the principles of navigational watch, ship’s routing, blind pilotage techniques and
ship reporting systems. Deck watchkeeping 2, CO-1 is all about operational procedures of
steering control systems and the selection of the mode of steering suitable for the
prevailing weather, sea and traffic conditions and intended maneuvers. CO-2 is all
about assigned watchkeeping duties as part of the bridge team, in different weather, sea
and traffic conditions, utilizing all bridge equipment in ensuring the safety of
navigation. This course aims to provide students with necessary Knowledge,
Understanding and Proficiency in preparation for Navigation at operational level
competency. The competency level covered in this course is in accordance with the Table
A-II/1: Function 1: Navigation at the operational level; Competence-1: Plan and conduct a
passage and determine position and Competence-2: Maintain a safe navigational watch 
COURSE OUTCOME
 CO1: Explain the operational procedures of steering control systems and the
selection of the mode of steering suitable for the prevailing weather, sea and
traffic conditions and intended maneuvers

 CO2: Perform assigned watchkeeping duties as part of the bridge team, in

different weather, sea and traffic conditions, utilizing all bridge equipment in
ensuring the safety of navigation
MODULE 11
USE OF REPORTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR SHIP
REPORTING SYSTEMS AND WITH VTS
PROCEDURES

 General Principles for Ship Reporting Systems

 VTS Procedures
OVERVIEW OF THE MODULE

 Proper Procedures in Ship Reporting

LEARNING OUTCOME

 Explain the importance of reporting to the VTS in the safety of

navigation and the proper procedures in ship reporting system and VTS
procedure
READINGS

 The Navigation Control Manual. 2nd ed., Bole, A.G. and Dineley, W.O. and
Nicholls, C.E. Oxford, Heinemann Professional, 1992 (ISBN 0-7506-0542-1)
General Principles for Ship Reporting System

 Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements are used to provide, gather
or exchange information through radio reports.
 The information is used to provide data for many purposes including search
and rescue, vessel traffic services, weather forecasting and prevention of
marine pollution. 
General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.1 reports should contain only information essential to achieve the objectives of

the system;
General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.2 reports should be simple and use the standard international ship reporting
format and procedures; where language difficulties may exist, the languages used
should include English, using where possible the Standard Marine Navigational
Vocabulary, or alternatively the International Code of Signals. The standard
reporting format and procedures to be used are given in the appendix to this
Annex;
General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.3 the number of reports should be kept to a minimum;

.4 no charge should be made for communication of reports;

General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.5 safety or pollution-related reports should be made without delay; however, the

time and place of making non-urgent reports should be sufficiently flexible to
avoid interference with essential navigational duties;
General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.6 information obtained from the system should be made available to other

systems when required for distress, safety and pollution purposes;

.7 basic information (ship's particulars, on-board facilities and equipment, etc.)

should be reported once, be retained in the system and be updated by the ship
when changes occur in the basic information reported;
General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.8 the purpose of the system should be clearly defined;

General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.9 Governments establishing a ship reporting system should notify mariners of

full details of the requirements to be met and procedures to be followed. Details
of types of ships and areas of applicability, of times and geographical positions
for submitting reports, of shore establishments responsible for operation of the
system and of the services provided should be clearly specified Chartlets
depicting boundaries of the system and providing other necessary information
should be made available to mariners;
General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.10 the establishment and operation of a ship reporting system should take into
account
.11 Governments should ensure that shore establishments responsible for
operation of the system are manned by properly trained persons;
General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.12 Governments should consider the interrelationship between ship reporting

systems and other systems;

.13 ship reporting systems should preferably use a single operating radio
frequency; where additional frequencies are necessary, the number of frequencies
should be restricted to the minimum required for the effective operation of the
system;
General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.14 information provided by the system to ships should be restricted to that

necessary for the proper operation of the system and for safety;
General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.15 ship reporting systems and requirements should provide for special reports
from ships concerning defects or deficiencies with respect to their hull,
machinery, equipment or manning, or concerning other limitations which could
adversely affect navigation and for special reports concerning incidents of actual
or probable marine pollution;
General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.16 Governments should issue instructions to their shore establishments

responsible for the operation of ship reporting systems to ensure that any reports
involving pollution, actual or probable, are relayed without delay to the officer or
agency nominated to receive and process such reports, and to ensure that such an
officer or agency relays these reports without delay to the flag State of the ship
involved and to any other State which may be affected;
General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.17 States which are affected or likely to be affected by pollution incidents and
may require information relevant to the incident should take into account the
circumstances in which the master is placed, and should endeavour to limit their
requests for additional information; and
General Principles for Ship Reporting System

Ship reporting systems and reporting requirements should, as far as practicable,

comply with the following principles:

.18 the appendix to this Annex does not apply to danger messages referred to
under regulation V/2 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, as amended. The present
practice of transmitting such messages should remain unchanged.
Vessel Traffic Services
Vessel traffic services (VTS) are shore-side systems which range from the
provision of simple information messages to ships, such as position of other
traffic or meteorological hazard warnings, to extensive management of
traffic within a port or waterway.

Generally, ships entering a VTS area report to the authorities, usually by radio,

and may be tracked by the VTS control centre. 
Vessel Traffic Services
Ships must keep watch on a specific frequency for navigational or other
warnings, while they may be contacted directly by the VTS operator if there is
risk of an incident or, in areas where traffic flow is regulated, to be given advice
on when to proceed. 
SOLAS regulation V/12 - Vessel traffic services states that Governments may
establish VTS where, in their opinion, the volume of traffic or the degree of risk
justifies such services.
Vessel Traffic Services and SOLAS
Vessel Traffic Services were not specifically referred to in the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974, but in June 1997
Maritime Safety Committee adopted a new regulation to chapter V (Safety of
Navigation), which sets out when VTS can be implemented.
Vessel Traffic Services and SOLAS
A revised SOLAS chapter V on "Safety of Navigation" was adopted in December
2000, and entered into force on 1 July 2002. Regulation 12 Vessel traffic
services states:
 Vessel traffic services (VTS) contribute to safety of life at sea, safety and
efficiency of navigation and protection of the marine environment, adjacent
shore areas, work sites and offshore installations from possible adverse effects
of maritime traffic.
Vessel Traffic Services and SOLAS
A revised SOLAS chapter V on "Safety of Navigation" was adopted in December
2000, and entered into force on 1 July 2002. Regulation 12 Vessel traffic
services states:
 Contracting Governments undertake to arrange for the establishment of VTS
where, in their opinion, the volume of traffic or the degree of risk justifies such
services.
 Contracting Governments planning and implementing VTS shall, wherever
possible, follow the guidelines developed by the Organization. The use of VTS
may only be made mandatory in sea areas within the territorial seas of a coastal
State.
Vessel Traffic Services and SOLAS
A revised SOLAS chapter V on "Safety of Navigation" was adopted in December
2000, and entered into force on 1 July 2002. Regulation 12 Vessel traffic
services states:
 Contracting Governments shall endeavour to secure the participation in, and
compliance with, the provisions of vessel traffic services by ships entitled to
fly their flag.
 Nothing in this regulation or the guidelines adopted by the Organization shall
prejudice the rights and duties of Governments under international law or the
legal regimes of straits used for international navigation and archipelagic sea
lanes.
Purpose of Vessel Traffic Services
Vessel Traffic Service or VTS is a shore-based system implemented by a
competent authority to:
 Improve the safety and efficiency of navigation,
 Safety of life at sea, and
 Protection of the marine environment.
VTS is governed by SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 12 together with the
guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services [ IMO Resolution A.857(20) ] adopted on
27 November 1997.
When Approaching VTS Area
Generally, ships entering a VTS area report to the authorities, usually by radio,
and may be tracked by the VTS control centre.
Ships must keep watch on a specific frequency for navigational or other
warnings, while they may be contacted directly by the VTS operator if there is a
risk of an incident or, in areas where traffic flow is regulated, to be given advice
on when to proceed.
VTS Communication and Reporting
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.
VTS Communication and Reporting
Vessels navigating in an area where vessel traffic services are provided should
make use of these services.
Depending upon governing rules and regulations, participation in a VTS may be
either voluntary mandatory.
Vessels should be allowed to use a VTS where mandatory participation is not
required.
VTS Communication and Reporting
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.
VTS Communication and Reporting
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.
VTS Communication and Reporting
3. Masters of vessels should report any observed dangers to navigation or
pollution to the VTS centre.
VTS Communication and Reporting
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.
VTS Communication and Reporting
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.
AMVER/JAREP Reporting System
 The basic format for Jasrep/Amver reports follows the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) standard.
 The first line in every report begins with Amver/Jasrep followed by a slash (/), the
report type (SP, PR, DR, FR), and ends with a double slash (//).
 Each remaining line begins with a specific letter followed by a slash (/) to identify
the line type.
 The remainder of each line contains one or more data fields separated by single
slashes (/).
 Each line ends with a double slash (//). All reports should end with a "Z" end-of-
report line.
AMVER/JAREP Reporting System
 Sailing Plan (SP)
 This report contains the complete routing information and should be sent within a
few hours before departure, upon departure, or within a few hours after departure.
 It must contain enough information to predict the vessel's actual position within 25
nautical miles at any time during the voyage, assuming the Sailing Plan is followed
exactly.
AMVER/JAREP Reporting System
 Position Report (PR)
 This report should be sent within 24 hours of departing port and at least once every
48 hours thereafter.
 The destination be included (at least in the first few reports) in case Amver/Jasrep
has not received the Sailing Plan information.
 The 1st report should therefore be sent at an optional time within 24 hours of
departure from a port or entering the service area, and then the reports should be
sent subsequently no less frequently than every 24 hours until Final Report.
AMVER/JAREP Reporting System
 Deviation Report (DR)
 This report should be sent as soon as any voyage information changes which could
affect Amver’s/Jasrep’s ability to accurately predict the vessel's position.
 Changes in course or speed due to weather, ice, change in destination, diverting to
evacuate a sick or injured crewmember, diverting to assist another vessel, or any
other deviation from the original Sailing Plan should be reported as soon as
possible.
AMVER/JAREP Reporting System
 Final Arrival Report (FR)
 This report should be sent upon arrival at the port of destination. This report
properly terminates the voyage in Amver’s/Jasrep’s computer, ensures the vessel
will not appear on an Amver/Jasrep SURPIC (Surface Picture) until its next voyage,
and allows the number of days on plot to be correctly updated.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

 Write an essay about the importance of reporting to the VTS in the safety
of navigation and the proper procedures in ship reporting system and VTS
procedure
REFERENCES
 The Navigation Control Manual. 2nd ed., Bole, A.G. and Dineley, W.O. and Nicholls, C.E.
Oxford, Heinemann Professional, 1992 (ISBN 0-7506-0542-1)
 https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/VesselTrafficServices.aspx
 https://cultofsea.com/navigation/vessel-traffic-services-vts-services