Changes to REEFREP
IMO has declared via Resolution MSC.161(78) that amendments to the existing mandatory ship reporting system in the Torres Strait and Inner Route of the Great Barrier Reef will enter into force on 1 December 2004.
For details of their obligations under REEFREP mariners are referred to Marine Orders Part 56 on the AMSA website.
Inmarsat-C will be the primary mechanism for ships to provide position reports while transiting the REEFREP region. The change to Automated Position Reporting (APR) is another step in the transition of the Ship Reporting System to a Coastal Vessel Traffic Service facility.
System Overview
REEFVTS is manned and operated 24 hours a day by personnel operating from the REEFVTS Centre, Radio Call Identity "REEFVTS" Radio Callsign “VZQ 641”, situated at Hay Point near Mackay.
REEFVTS compiles and maintains a traffic image of shipping using REEFREP information communicated by ships (Passage Plans, VHF reports) and information received from other sensors (Radar, AIS and Automated Position Reporting (APR) via Inmarsat C). This traffic image allows REEFVTS to provide ship traffic information and other navigational safety related information to shipping within the REEFVTS waters.
Changes to Mandatory Ship Reporting Requirements
The major changes are:
- Automated Position Reporting (APR) via Inmarsat-C will be the primary means for ships to provide Intermediate or En-route position reports.
- A Pre-Entry Report is to be provided by ships two hours prior to entry from seaward or sailing from a port within the Region.
- A passage plan is to be provided within one hour of entering the Region.
- Details of REEFVTS reporting procedures including message format, communications arrangements and reporting points are provided in the publication REEFVTS User Manual.
Reports and Procedures
The following reports need to be provided as applicable:
- Pre-Entry Position Report
- Entry Report
- Passage Report, if passage details have not been previously provided in an Entry Report
- Route Deviation Report
- Intermediate Position Reports
- Defect Reports, only if applicable
- Final Report
Pre-Entry Position report (PER)
A Pre-Entry position report must be made in respect of a ship at least two hours prior to:
- Entering the REEFVTS waterways area; or
- Departing from a port within REEFVTS waters
The purpose of a pre-entry report is to advise REEFVTS of the ship intentions (eg. entry to the REEFVTS area) and take the necessary steps to ensure that the ship’s Inmarsat C terminal is operational when the vessel enters the region. The vessel’s Inmarsat C terminal is to be logged into the Pacific Ocean Region satellite.
Entry Report (ER)
This is a standard entry report.
Passage Plan Report
This report is required within one hour of entry of or sailing from a port in the region. Adequate route information must be provided to REEFVTS to ensure quality ship traffic information can be provided to transiting vessels. Passage Plans are to be provided by one or more of the following methods:
- Standard Route Plan, or
- Mandatory Reporting Points, or
- Waypoints.
Route Deviation Report
Any deviation from a previously submitted Passage Plan must be provided to REEFVTS, preferably prior to the deviation. However, it is recognised that some deviations may be made with little notice and in such instances these must be reported to REEFVTS within 15 minutes of the deviation taking place and using a revised Passage Plan Report.
Intermediate Position Reports (PR)
Automated Position Reporting (APR) via Inmarsat-C is the primary mechanism for ships to provide Intermediate Position Reports while transiting REEFVTS waters. REEFVTS will generally carry out APR remotely without any intervention by a ship’s officers.
In ships fitted with first generation Inmarsat-C terminals, which do not support remote programming, the terminals will be required to be programmed onboard for Intermediate Position Reports to be sent automatically. Instructions relating to programming of these terminals can be obtained from REEFVTS.
Ships providing Intermediate Position Reports via APR must still comply with the other REEFREP reporting requirements of Pre-Entry Position Reports, Entry Reports, Passage Plan Reports (if appropriate), Route Deviation Reports (if appropriate), Defect Reports (if appropriate), and Exit Reports.
If a ship is unable to provide Intermediate Position Reports via APR, brief position reports must be provided on an hourly basis or as advised by the VTS operators.
Defect Report (DR)
Safety related reports must be provided without delay should a ship suffer damage, failure or breakdown affecting the safety of the ship, or if a ship makes a marked deviation from a route, course or speed previously advised. Reports of pollution or cargo lost overboard must also be reported to REEFVTS without delay using lines Q and R, or special reports as defined by the IMO for incidents involving Dangerous Goods (DG), Harmful Substances (HS) or Marine Pollutants (MP).
Final report (FR)
A Final Report must be made in respect of a ship:
- Exiting REEFVTS waters; or
- Arriving at a port within the REEFVTS area.
When a ship exits REEFVTS waters, it will be necessary to indicate whether the ship intends continuing to report to AUSREP for the remainder of its voyage and, if so, the time of its next report or, if arriving at a port within the area, whether this is its Final Report to AUSREP.
Primary Communications
There are two primary means of communication with REEFVTS:
- Inmarsat C - using special access code (SAC) 861 via the Perth LES (222). Messages sent will be reverse charged to REEFVTS.
- VHF Radio - Depending on a ship’s position REEFVTS can be contacted on VHF channels 5, 18 and 19 (Radio call sign – VZQ641) 24 hours a day.
Inmarsat C
Messages sent to REEFVTS can be reverse charged by setting up an Inmarsat C terminal’s address book to use special access code (SAC) 861 via the Perth LES (222). When setting up the address book entry for sending to SAC861, select ASCII, or 7-bit or IA5 for data presentation or character code. Alternatively, messages can be sent to REEFVTS at a cost to the vessel to:
(a) telex +7146483
(b) email: reefvts@rcs1.amsa.gov.au