Related issues
Providing VTS services beyond Australia’s territorial waters
SOLAS Regulation V/12 (Vessel Traffic Services) specifically states that the use of Vessel Traffic Services may only be made mandatory in sea areas within the territorial seas of a coastal state.
However, instances have arisen where the need to extend or establish a Vessel Traffic Service beyond territorial seas has been identified, including the Great Belt VTS (Denmark), Sound VTS (Denmark / Sweden), Turkish Straits VTS and Vessel Traffic Services off the coasts of Portugal and Norway.
This has been achieved under current regulations which remain consistent with SOLAS Regulation V/12, including establishment of a Vessel Traffic Service that is part of, and in support of, a Ship Reporting System (such as REEFREP).
The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) provides guidance for Vessel Traffic Services beyond territorial waters - IALA Guideline 1071 on Establishment of a Vessel Traffic Service beyond Territorial Seas.
Consideration of Compulsory Pilotage in the extended area
AMSA did consider the option of compulsory pilotage but concluded that it was not an effective way forward for the extended REEFVTS Area.
In deciding not to introduce compulsory pilotage AMSA took into account that:
- the coastal waters off the port of Gladstone and the Capricorn and Bunker group of islands are relatively open and are not navigationally complex;
- each year, thousands of vessels make safe passages through the area;
- introducing compulsory coastal pilotage in the area may unnecessarily increase costs, be a logistical challenge (particularly due the shortage of pilots) and may not be a cost effective mechanism to mitigate the risk of groundings; and
- REEFVTS offers a cost effective mechanism and proven track record of mitigating the risk of groundings.