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CHAP 1: Vessel Traffic System

Vessel traffic systems (VTS) monitor ship movements to provide navigational safety. They have evolved from basic radar and radio systems to integrated systems using multiple data sources like AIS, radar, cameras and radios. VTS are used in ports and difficult areas to provide ships with information. They help ship captains make safer navigation decisions. VTS can be surveilled using land-based sensors or non-surveilled using reporting points, and combine technologies like radar, AIS and radio direction finders to track ships over a wide area.

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Al Mobarack Abdillahi
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113 views2 pages

CHAP 1: Vessel Traffic System

Vessel traffic systems (VTS) monitor ship movements to provide navigational safety. They have evolved from basic radar and radio systems to integrated systems using multiple data sources like AIS, radar, cameras and radios. VTS are used in ports and difficult areas to provide ships with information. They help ship captains make safer navigation decisions. VTS can be surveilled using land-based sensors or non-surveilled using reporting points, and combine technologies like radar, AIS and radio direction finders to track ships over a wide area.

Uploaded by

Al Mobarack Abdillahi
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CHAP 1: Vessel Traffic System

I) Definition
A vessel traffic service (VTS) is a marine traffic monitoring system established by harbour or
port authorities, similar to air traffic control for aircraft. The International Maritime
Organization defines VTS as "a service implemented by a competent authority designed to
improve the safety and efficiency of vessel traffic and protect the environment. The service
shall have the capability to interact with the traffic and respond to traffic situations
developing in the VTS area”. 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.
In other ways Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is a shore-side maritime assistance service that
supports bridge teams in their safe navigation of port approaches and other areas that present
navigational difficulties. The VTS is implemented in national waters and provides vessels
with information through transmissions and broadcasts on Very High Frequency (VHF)
radio. With a continued growth in the number, size and cargo volumes of merchant vessels,
the role of the VTS has recently become a matter of discussion, and it has been argued that
changes, such as implementing an aviation-like control system, would be of an enormous
benefit for stakeholders and guarantee safe and efficient traffic movements in the future.

II) Evolution of Vessel Traffic Systems

Vessel traffic systems have evolved from being just radar and voice radio systems to
becoming systems that can control multiple surveillance instruments from remote locations
with multiple communication channels. Contacting vessels can be done through a variety of
communication modes such as AIS and VHF. VTS systems integrate data sources and display
this data on a marine chart. Radar, AIS/ARPA, camera, thermal sensors, meteorological data
and VHF can all be displayed within the same system.

Vessel traffic has always needed effective systems to ensure the safety of vessels and
infrastructure, and today software is available to provide vessel traffic management with the
tools they need. Whether it’s managing marine traffic or guarding your infrastructure, ship
tracking through vessel traffic systems uses AIS, radar and video monitoring to all seamlessly
integrate into one software to be controlled remotely. Vessel traffic systems are designed for
industries such as: oil & gas, fish-farms, marine reserves, ports & harbors, etc.

III) Types of vessel traffic services

Vessel traffic services chiefly include devices to collect and transmit maritime information
which includes traffic images. This information is further transmitted to various vessels in a
given VTS zone. This helps the vessels’ captains to make better navigational decisions and
decide their routes. Several devices are used for purpose of gaining and transmitting this
information. Depending on type medium used to gain this information, VTS can be classified
as:

 Surveilled – they consist of land based sensors for attaining important marine
information. These sensors include radars, AIS and closed circuit television sites.
Signals from these sensors are sent to central locations where trained VTS personnel
analyze the information and guides ship traffic.
 Non Surveilled- consists of one or more reporting points at where ships notify about
their identity, course, speed and other data. Using this data, courses of various vessels
are mapped out and regulated to avoid any mishaps.

Uniformity is attained in between surveilled and non-surveilled sensors for complete


coverage of entire marine traffic. Hence understanding nature and working of these sensors
would be of importance to any mariner. Here is a list of most commonly used sensing
components of vessel traffic services.

1. Radar system : It includes transmission of marine information in form of radio


waves of certain frequencies. These frequencies can be read to determine size and
speed on any incoming object to a distance of several miles. All vessels are equipped
with radar systems which are further connected to onshore centre for transmitting
information and forming a web of data.

2. AIS: It stands for Automatic Identification System and helps in improving


safety and efficiency of navigation. This system makes use of a broadcast
system that helps in updating data on connected vessels automatically. This is
a speedy system which can update information ever two seconds. Self
Organizing Time Division Multiple Access (SOTDMA) technology is used to
handle and transport such huge amount data at such high speeds.

3. Radio direction finder

 As the name suggest, this component of VTS helps in obtaining maritime


information that will help to locate direction from which radio frequencies are
coming. This device particularly helps in acting like a vessel finder.

 Vessel traffic services are used for the sole purpose of making all ship routes safer
and more efficient. With trained personnel, this take becomes easier and makes
marine routes safer.

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