UNIT 9
VTS STANDARD PHRASES
What is the purpose of VTS?
What is VTS designed for?
What is the purpose of the traffic image?
A vessel traffic service (VTS) is a marine traffic monitoring system
established by harbour or port authorities, similar to air traffic control for aircraft. Typical
VTS systems use radar, closed-circuit television (CCTV), VHF radiotelephony and automatic
identification system to keep track of vessel movements and provide navigational safety in a
limited geographical area.
A service implemented by a competent authority, VTS is designed to improve the
safety and efficiency of navigation, safety of life at sea and the 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 by the
International Maritime Organization on 27 November 1997.
The VTS traffic image is compiled and collected by means of advanced sensors such as radar,
AIS, direction finding, CCTV and VHF or other co-operative systems and services. A modern
VTS integrates all of the information in to a single operator working environment for ease of
use and in order to allow for effective traffic organization and communication.
Operator Working Position from Helsinki, Finland, VTS covering the area from
Emäsalo to Inkoo. The image shows a typical state-of-the-art integrated operator working
position. In areas that are covered with VTS there are certain procedures for vessels to follow
such as Area Procedures, Sector Areas, Arrival and Departure Reports, Approach Procedures,
Pilotage Procedures and many more. Each of the above procedures are named with respect to
the area that they serve. For example in Norway, Oslofjord the Area Procedures are called
"OSL1" and "OSL3" and in Netherlands, Rotterdam, Maas Approach and Maas Entrance are
called "RTM2" and "RTM6" respectively.
A VTS should always have a comprehensive traffic image, which means that all
factors influencing the traffic as well as information about all participating vessels and their
intentions should be readily available. By means of the traffic image, situations that are
developing can be evaluated and responded upon. The data evaluation depends to a great
extent on the quality of the data that is collected and the ability of the operator to combine this
with an actual or developing situation. The data dissemination process exists of conveying the
conclusions of the operator.
IMO STANDARD MARINE COMMUNICATION PHRASES 2001
III/6.2 - PHRASES FOR PROVIDING VTS SERVICES
6.2.1.1 - Navigational warnings
Unknown object(s) in position ... .
Ice/iceberg(s) in position ... /area around ... .
Unlit derelict vessel adrift in vicinity ... at ... (date and time).
Dangerous wreck/obstruction located in position ... marked by ... (type) buoy.
Hazardous mine adrift in vicinity ... at ... (date and time).
Uncharted reef/rock/shoal reported in position ... .
Pipeline leaking gas/oil in position ... - wide berth requested.
No sufficient depth of water in position ... .
U.N. exclusion zone extending ... kilometres/nautical miles from ...- all vessels keep clear.
Navigation closed in area ... .
6.2.1.2 - Navigational information
Oil slick in position ... .
Current meters/hydrographic instruments moored in position ... wide berth requested.
Platform ... (name/number) reported/established in position ... wide berth requested.
... (charted name of light/buoy) in position ... unlit/unrealiable/damaged/off
position/missing/destroyed.
Fog signal... (charted name of light/buoy) in position ... inoperative.
6.2.1.3 - Traffic information
Gunnery/rocket firing/missile/torpedo/underwater ordnance exercises in area bounded by
... (positions) and ... from ... (date and time) to ... (date and time).
Wide berth requested.
Cable/pipeline operations by ... (vessel) in vicinity ... /along line joining ...
(position) from... (date and time) to... (date and time). Wide berth requested.
Contact via VTS channel ... .
Salvage operations in position ... from ... (date and time) to ... (date and time).
Wide berth requested. Contact via VTS channel ... .
Seismic/hydrographic operations by ... (vessel) ...,from ... (date and time) to ... in
position... Wide berth requested. Contact via VHF channel ... .
Oil clearance operations near MT ... in position ... . Wide berth requested.
Transhipment of ... (kind of cargo) in position ... Wide berth requested.
Difficult tow from ... (part of departure) to ... (destination) on ... (date).
Wide berth requested.
Vessel not under command in position ... /area ... .
Hampered vessel in position ... area ... (course ... degrees, speed ... knots).
Vessel in position ... on course ... and speed ... not complying with traffic regulations.
Vessel crossing ... traffic lane or course ... and speed ... in position ... .
Small, fishing boats in area around ... - navigate with caution.
Submarines operating in sea area around ... . Surface vessels in attendance.
6.2.1.4 - Routeing information
Route ... /Traffic Lane ... suspended.
Route ... /Traffic Lane ... discontinued.
Route ... /Traffic Lane ... diverted.
COMPREHENSION & VOCABULARY
1. Insert the missing parts of the VHF conversation:
Passing through the Gibraltar Strait
This is an extract from real VHF communications (names and fact have been changed,
however!). Make the necessary changes applying the IMO SMCP pharses and ITU Radio
Regulations rules.
- Italian vessel «Moon Fish»
- Lloyd's Signal Station at Gibraltar (L.S.S.)
Lloyd Signal Station, this is the Italian container vessel «Moon Fish», CCT4. Over.
- «Moon Fish», 1 – 4, Over.
Roger, Sir, 1 - 4.
(............. after a while ............)
Lloyd Signal Station, 1.________ the Italian container vessel «Moon Fish». Over.
- «Moon Fish». Good morning to you 2.________ Italian flag?
Roger. Italian flag.
- What is your last port of call, Sir, and what is 3.________ ?
My last port of call is Savannah, US. Next port of call Napoli. We sailed from Savannah
on 24th November. Over.
- Roger, Sir. Are you loaded or in ballast? Loaded or in ballast, Sir?
Yes, Sir 4. .________ . The cargo is 22,456 metric tons, and 1,843 TEU’s on board,
1,843 TEU containers. Over.
- Roger, Sir. And your range and your bearing? Repeat 5.________ from
Europa Point light, please, Sir?
Bearing from our ship to Europa Point light is 008 degrees, and distance eight miles,
eight miles. The course is 072, repeat 072. Over.
- Roger, Sir. Thank you very much, indeed. Thank you for that information,
Sir. Have a pleasant and a quiet voyage to Naples, Italy. Should you
6.________ any further information or assistance while in the Gibraltar
area, Lloyd's Signal Station is listening on channel 1 - 6. Pleasant voyage, Sir.
O.K. Thank you very much, Sir. 7.________ a good watch. Out.
2. Read the story and do the two tasks.
A gang of 13 pirates, armed with knives and swords, attacked your ship off the coast of
southern Nigeria. The pirates retreated after failing to get on board. The ship was empty and
the freeboard was about 12 feet. No injuries or damage to the vessel were reported.
Task 1: Five minutes after, you report to Tiger VTS about the
pirates’ attack. VTS may ask questions if you do not give enough
or relevant details that are needed for compiling a report to the
Coast Guard.
(Actors: Capt. of m/v Dragon and Tiger VTS operator)
Task 2: two weeks later you are in a pub retelling the bloodcurdling
adventures off the Nigerian coast. Although you left the pub on all fours, you do remember
the story. Will you share it?
(You may use the following words and phrases: bare hands, paint balls, bow and arrows,
kung-fu, etc).
3. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word:
Vessel traffic services - VTS - are shore-side (1) ............ which range from the provision
of simple information messages to ships, such as position of other traffic or meterological
hazard (2) ..........., to extensive management of traffic within a port or waterway.
Generally, ships entering a VTS (3) ............ report to the authorities, usually by radio, and
may be (4) ............. by the VTS control centre. Ships must keep (5) ................ on a specific
frequency for navigational or other warnings, while they may be contacted directly by the
VTS (6) ..................... if there is risk of an incident or, in areas where traffic flow is regulated,
to be given advice on when to proceed. SOLAS Chapter V (Safety of Navigation) states that
governments may establish VTS when, in their opinion, the (7) ............... of traffic or the
degree of risk justifies such services.
4. Correct the following VTS standard phrases by supplying the required word:
a) Dangerous mine adrift.
b) Large berth required.
c) Hindered vessel in position 12 degr, 34 min. N / 014 degr. 23 min E.
d) What is your present track?
e) Have you swapped course?
f) You must rise anchor.
g) You are allowed to anchor at 1530 hrs UTC.
h) Large vessel is leaving the fairway- stand clear of the fairway approach
i) Your course is deviating from the radar reference lane.
