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 states 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.

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 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.

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Usually there are 4 levels of bridge watchkeeping depending upon the navigating
and operating conditions. Level 1 being the lowest and Level 4 being the highest.

Watch keeping Level Composition Conditions

Level 1 OOW and Lookout Open waters and clear weather
Level 2 OOW, Helmsman & Open waters, traffic concerns,
Lookout TSS and reduced visibility
Level 3 Master, OOW, Arrival, departure (confined
Helmsman & Lookout waters), high traffic density,
restricted visibility, etc.
Level 4 Master (or Ch.Off), Pilotage, long pilotage or long
OOW, Helmsman & navigation in RV and high traffic
Lookout, Pilot density, etc.

Each Company may have a slightly different format of a Watchkeeping Level and
composition which will be reflected in the company’s SMS.

• Interactions to be taken into consideration while navigating in restricted

waters of VTS
Ship & Sea Bottom (Shallow water effects)
Ship & Ship (Interaction between ships)
Ship & Banks (Bank cushion & Bank suction)

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