Vts Manual

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IALA Vessel Traffic Services Manual

Edition 4 2008

International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities 20ter, rue Schnapper 78100 Saint Germain en Laye, France Telephone +33 1 34 51 70 01 Telefax +33 1 34 51 82 05 E-mail : iala-aism@wanadoo.fr Internet : http://www.iala-aism.org

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IALA VTS MANUAL (2008)

FOREWORD

This fourth edition ofthe IALA VTS Manual has been prepared by the VTS Committee. It updates the guidance and advice provided in previous editions to assist authorities considering the implementation of a new Vessel Traffic Service or the upgrading of an existing service.

The VTS Committee, formed in 1980, has evolved in recent years. Its membership now represents most of the world’s leading national maritimeauthorities whose delegates are widely experienced mariners and VTS professionals. The VTS Committee is also supported through participation from relevant international sister organisations. This ensures that the Committee is able to speak with international authority on VTS matters and, importantly, to develop new procedures to meet the emerging needs for modern traffic management and to enhancemaritime safety.

As a result, this increased pool of expertise and experience has enabled the Committee to develop a new style of VTS Manual with the aim that it should fully meet the needs of the profession and those responsible for managing its activities. It is intended that it should be a general source of reference on any topic and provide a pointer to the more detailed material that any VTSprofessional may seek.

IALA welcomes feedback about its publications. Readers are invited to send comments or suggestions, which will be taken into account when considering the publication of the next edition.

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IALA VTS MANUAL (2008)

Acknowledgement

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The photographs in this manual were provided by members of the VTS Committee acting either in their capacity asrepresentatives of a member organisation or as private individuals. The photographs were accompanied by permission to publish them in this manual; IALA wishes to acknowledge these donations and the copyright of donors. Donations were received from:

Centre d’Etudes Techniques Maritime et Fluviales, France Directorate General Coastal Safety, Turkey Marine Department, Hong Kong SAR, China CoastalAdministration, Norway Kongsberg Norcontrol IT, Norway Flemish VTS Italian Coast Guard Port of London Authority Transas, St Petersburg Racon, Netherlands Great Belt VTS, Denmark Japan Coast Guard Captain Terry Hughes Terma A/S United States Coast Guard

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Acknowledgement

IALA VTS MANUAL (2008)

Great Belt Denmark where VTS provides protection for the bridge

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IALA VTS MANUAL (2008)Contents _____________________________________________________________________________

CONTENTS Foreword
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 0101 Purpose of the Manual 0102 Development of VTS – A Brief History 0103 Bodies involved with VTS 0104 IALA Publications 0105 Definitions and Abbreviations CHAPTER 2: LEGAL FRAMEWORK 0201 Introduction 0202 The United Nations and International Law 0203 United NationsConvention On The Law Of The Sea 0204 International Maritime Organization 0205 IMO - Mandate 0206 IMO Conventions 0207 IMO Conventions relevant to VTS 0208 SOLAS 0209 Safety of Navigation & Maritime Security 0210 Places of Refuge and Maritime Assistance Services 0211 Standards for Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) 0212 Marine Pollution - Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA) 0213Regional Undertakings – European Community 0214 Enforcement 0215 National Legislation 0216 Port State Control 4 13 13 13 16 16 17 27 27 27 28 29 29 30 30 30 31 32 32 33 34 34 35 35

CHAPTER 3: REGULATION OF VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES 43 0301 Introduction 43 0302 International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) 43 0303 IALA – Committee Structure 43 0304 VTS...