Passage planning and ship reporting systems
Ship reporting has been introduced by a number of coastal states so that they can keep track, via radio, radar or transponder, of ships passing through their coastal waters. Ship reporting systems are therefore used to gather or exchange information about ships, such as their position, course, speed and cargo. In addition to monitoring passing traffic, the information may be used for purposes of search and rescue and prevention of marine pollution.
The use of ship reporting systems should form a part of the passage plan.
Ship reporting systems can be adopted internationally by IMO. Such systems will be required to be used by all ships or certain categories of ships or ships carrying certain cargoes.
The master of a ship should comply with the requirements of ship reporting systems and report to the appropriate authority all information that is required. A report may be required upon leaving as well as on entering the area of the system, and additional reports or information may be required to update earlier reports.
Ship reporting requirements may be referred to on charts and in sailing directions, but lists of radio signals provide full details.
Passage planning and vessel traffic services
Vessel traffic services (VTS) have been introduced particularly in ports and their approaches, to monitor ship compliance with local regulations and to optimise traffic management. VTS may only be mandatory within the territorial seas of a coastal state.
VTS requirements on ships should form part of the passage plan. This should include references to the specific radio frequencies that must be monitored by the ship for navigational or other warnings, and advice on when to proceed in areas where traffic flow is regulated.
VTS reporting requirements may be marked on charts but fuller details will be found in sailing directions and lists of radio signals.
