APPENDIX
E
Vessel Traffic Services in London and Rotterdam
This appendix describes vessel traffic services (VTS) in two major European ports—London (United Kingdom) and Rotterdam (the Netherlands) —to supplement the information in Chapter 2 of the report.
PORT OF LONDON AUTHORITY THAMES NAVIGATION SERVICE
The Thames River VTS covers 97 nautical miles (nm) of estuary and river, of which 83 nm are covered by 12 radar sites providing surveillance data to two vessel traffic centers (VTCs), located at Gravesend and Woolwich. Each center is equipped with the latest daylight viewing capabilities, computerized radar displays, and automatic vessel tracking. The centers monitor vessel movements by radar and very high frequency (VHF) radio; there are three radio sectors, each with its own working frequency. Vessel participation in the VTS is mandatory. All passenger vessels and vessels over 20 meters in length are required to carry VHF radios.
The Port of London Authority (PLA) was established as a public trust under the Port of London Act of 1908 to administer, preserve, and improve the port and for other purposes, including conserving the Thames. These powers have been extended in subsequent acts and orders, the last significant one being the Port of London Act 1968, which grants very wide powers to the PLA. The port authority regulates navigation, licenses dredging, conducts hydrographic surveys, registers lighters and tugs, maintains locks, acts as the pilot-age authority, regulates the movement of vessels carrying dangerous cargoes, and controls oil pollution. The harbormaster can give special directions to vessels in the Thames. Vessels over 50 meters in length must be piloted by an authorized PLA pilot.
The VTCs employ an operational staff of 35, who provide continuous operations. VTS operators include pilots, who serve in rotation. Both stations have a master mariner in attendance at all times to advise and direct vessel masters as necessary, coordinate procedures in emergencies, enforce PLA rules for navigation, and ensure the efficient movement of vessels. Effective liaison and communication through direct telephone lines is maintained at all times between the two VTCs and the local police and fire brigades. If an emergency arises on the Thames, then the duty officer will alert police and fire services and coordinate effective response procedures until relieved of this duty by a senior officer.
Funding for VTS is recovered from fees on cargo and ships using the port, as well as from other income from port operations. The next phase of VTS development will incorporate the exchange of data with neighboring ports, both within and outside the United Kingdom; an electronic chart display and information system; and a system for tracking hazardous materials. Also planned is a community network service for customs clearance using electronic data interchange (EDI).
ROTTERDAM VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The Rotterdam vessel traffic management system (VTMS) was developed after many years of research and a comprehensive survey of port users, port authorities, and the business community. A joint venture of the Ministry of Transport and the City of Rotterdam, the VTMS took almost eight years to build and install. It began operations in 1987. The VTMS was developed to replace a 30-year-old chain of radar stations in response to increases in shipping and ship sizes, as well as growing volumes of increasingly dangerous goods shipped through the port. The system is designed to ensure safe and efficient traffic flow to and from the port.
The VTMS coverage area stretches from 60 kilometers (km) offshore to 40 km inland and is divided into three regions, each with its own VTS to communicate with vessels. The three regions are subdivided into 12 sectors, each with its own VTS operator and separate VHF channel for ship communications. The total system includes 29 radars (all areas have double coverage), automated vessel tracking and multiple display systems, closed-circuit television (CCTV), a radio direction finder system using VHF signals,
|
BOX E-1 Questions Addressed at Foreign Port Visits ORGANIZATIONAL O-1. Describe the charter under which the VTS operates, in terms of its role in:
O-2. What organization operates the VTS? O-3. What is the relationship of that organization to:
O-4. How are costs associated with the VTS operation funded?
O-5. Describe the staffing structure of the VTS.
O-6. What organization(s) set standards and provide oversight?
O-7. What limitations have been placed on liability exposure? How are those addressed? VTS-SPECIFIC V-1. What is the VTS'area of responsibility? V-2. What services are provided by the VTS?
V-3. What information about the VTS, its procedures, and requirements for participants is provided in advance of arrival? How is the information published? V-4. How is compliance with procedures, regulations and laws enforced? V-5. What information is provided by participants prior to arrival within the VTS area of responsibility? By what means of communication? V-6. What information is provided by participants during transit of the VTS area of responsibility? By what means of communication? V-7. What vessel-related data or information is disseminated to:
V-8. By what means is the information described in question V-7 disseminated? V-9. What are the key technical elements incorporated in the VTS for data collection, surveillance, data management, and data transmission? |
a hydrographic and meteorological data system, integrated radio communication and voice logging, and comprehensive data handling.
Functions of the VTMS include traffic control, traffic assistance, and oversight of dangerous goods. There are six basic rules for all ships:
-
Responsibility for safe navigation rests with the mariner.
-
Always listen carefully to the sector VHF channels to stay well informed about the traffic situation.
-
The VTMS provides information, navigation assistance if necessary, and directions on behalf of the VTMS authority.
-
Keep all communications brief and to the point.
-
Always report any deviation from the norm with regard to navigation or ship's equipment.
-
The official language is English in sectors 1, 2, and 3 (sea); Dutch or English may be used in the inland sectors.
The VTMS is managed for the City Council by the Rotterdam Port Authority, Directorate of Shipping. Some 430 officials work for the VTMS, with 65 operators at work both day and night. The VTMS provides information, navigation assistance if necessary, and directions. All ships must notify the VTMS 24 hours in advance of entering the port, providing details of their navigation plans, dangerous cargoes, and ship's particulars.
The port also provides for many other services, including hydrographic surveys, maintenance of waterways and facilities, operation of water depth, current and weather sensors, and links to organizations, such as customs, pilots, tugs, and shipping agencies.
The cost of the VTMS is recovered through specific VTMS fees charged to each vessel; large vessels pay up to $2,000 per visit. The annual operating cost is estimated at $25 million. The total capital cost for the current system was roughly $180 million.
An important new development planned for 1996 is the institution of an EDI-based notification system for ships carrying dangerous cargoes. The system will be connected to the VTMS as well as to other users. Another new development will be an automated system for water depth management integrated with the VTS.
There was a problem loading page 64.
There was a problem loading page 65.
There was a problem loading page 66.
There was a problem loading page 67.
