Services provided by REEFVTS
REEFVTS provides the following services to shipping:
- Information Service (INS)
- Navigational Assistance (NAS)
Information Service
IMO Resolution A.857 (20) Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services defines an information service as a service to ensure that essential information becomes available in time for on-board navigational decision-making. REEFVTS provides this information service as ship traffic information and maritime safety information.
1. Ship Traffic Information (STI)
Ship Traffic Information includes the position, identity and intentions of other traffic and predicted ship encounters, such as where ships may encounter or pass other vessels. This encounter information is highly regarded by coastal pilots and Masters, particularly in areas of the Reef where there is restricted room to manoeuvre. This information allows ships to communicate directly with the ships concerned and liaise on safe passing arrangements.
Ship Traffic Information is generated through the integrated surface picture and the information provided by ships through the REEFREP reporting requirements.
Ships transiting the region receive STI under the following business rules:
- on entry to the REEFVTS Area;
- when there is new/changed traffic information;
- an update every 4-6 hours, depending on the ship’s speed; and
- at any other time on request to REEFVTS.
Because of the extensive size of the area, REEFVTS does not routinely broadcast STI across the whole area but rather advises individual ships as necessary. In addition, REEFVTS will actively contact ships to advise of any significant changes to STI.
2. Maritime Safety Information (MSI)
Maritime Safety Information includes information about conditions, events or other information which could impact a ship’s safe transit, such as a defective aid to navigation, waterway conditions, weather, hazards, or other factors that may influence the ship's transit.
REEFVTS provides ships with MSI relevant to their location and intended movement and is delivered with the Ship Traffic Information. In addition, MSI is issued from Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) Australia in the form of navigational warnings (AUSCOAST Warnings).
Much of the information processed by REEFVTS is collected from ships in the area and hence mariners are cautioned that advisories based on such information are only as accurate as the provided information. Further, REEFVTS may not have first hand knowledge of all hazardous situations that exist in the REEFVTS area. Ships encountering a hazardous situation, such as a defective aid to navigation not already included in Maritime Safety Information should immediately advise REEFVTS.
Navigation Assistance (NAS)
IMO Resolution A.857 (20) defines a navigational assistance service as a service to assist on-board navigational decision-making and to monitor its effects.
REEFVTS provides navigational assistance 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.
These circumstances are escalated to the VTSO’s attention using the decision-support tools where they may then intervene to confirm the ship’s intentions, or in situations where the ship is approaching danger, to provide navigational assistance to avert grounding.
As highlighted in IMO Resolution A.857 (20), decisions concerning the actual navigation and the manoeuvring of the vessel remain with the Master.