How does REEFVTS deliver services?
REEFVTS is comprised of four key components:
- a mandatory ship reporting system (REEFREP);
- monitoring capabilities;
- decision support tools; and
- communication capabilities.
1. A Mandatory Ship Reporting System (REEFREP)
The Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Ship Reporting System (REEFREP) was established in 1996 as an interactive mandatory ship reporting system, formally adopted by the IMO in accordance with the then SOLAS Regulation V/11.
REEFREP is an integral component of REEFVTS, providing the requirement for ships to identify themselves and their intended passage through the region. This information, together with sophisticated monitoring and communication systems, enables a ship’s transit to be monitored through the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait.
Ships are required to provide the following reports:
- Pre-Entry Position Report
- Entry Report
- Route Plan Report
- Final Report
and, where applicable;
- Intermediate Position Reports
- Route Deviation Report
- Defect Report.
Details of the reporting requirements can be found in Marine Orders Part 56 and the REEFVTS User Guide.
2. Monitoring capabilities
REEFVTS utilises three sensor technologies to identify and monitor the transit of individual ships. The sensor inputs are Radar, Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Automated Position Reporting (APR) via Inmarsat C.
- Radar - a shore-based system that detects and tracks ships in the vicinity of the radar site. It provides information about position and speed of a ship every 10 seconds.
- AIS - a shipboard system that continually transmits the ship’s identity, position, course, speed and other data on VHF radio frequencies. It provides positional information at intervals between 6 seconds and 3 minutes depending on the ship’s speed and other parameters, such as rate of turn.
- APR - an Inmarsat C satellite system that enables REEFVTS to program ship-board equipment to send position reports to REEFVTS at prescribed intervals. The position reporting interval is set to a default interval of 45 minutes. The system also allows REEFVTS to poll a ship on demand to receive an updated position report.
The use of Inmarsat C for position reporting has proved acceptable within the REEFVTS Area as virtually all ships in Australian waters are equipped with Inmarsat-C as part of their Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) carriage requirements.
The information from these sensors is integrated to provide a single traffic image.
3. Decision support tools
REEFVTS uses a suite of decision-support tools to monitor the transit of individual ships and assist the Vessel Traffic Service Office (VTSO) to determine where interaction may be necessary to assist on-board decision-making. This may include situations where a ship may be in danger of running aground, deviating from a recommended route or does not alter course at a critical waypoint.
These tools are incorporated into the REEFVTS integrated surface picture to assist the VTSO determine where interaction with an individual ship may be necessary to provide information that may assist on-board decision-making.
Such interaction may be provided in circumstances where information suggests a ship may be approaching shallow water, is deviating from a recommended route or does not alter course at a critical waypoint.
4. Communications
The language used to communicate with REEFVTS is English, using the IMO’s Standard Marine Communication Phrases.
The means of communication with REEFVTS are:
- Inmarsat C
- VHF Radio
- Alternative communications.
Inmarsat C
The Inmarsat C satellite system enables two-way, text-based communication between a ship and REEFVTS, in addition to the automated position reporting capabilities.
VHF Radio
A VHF radio network is available within the REEFVTS Area for voice communication between ship and shore. Depending on a ship’s position REEFVTS can be contacted on VHF channels 11 or 14 (Radio call sign REEFVTS) 24 hours a day.
Alternative Communications
If for any reason communication is not possible via Inmarsat C or VHF channels 11 or 14, the required information must be passed by alternative means to REEFVTS using one of the following:
Telephone: +61 1300 721 293 or +61 7 4726 3428
Facsimile: +61 7 4721 0633
Email: reefvts@vtm.qld.gov.au