MARINE NOTICE 7/2011

Changes to the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Vessel Traffic Service

Mariners are advised of the following changes to the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Vessel Traffic Service (REEFVTS):

• Amendments to Marine Orders 56 - the mandatory Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Ship Reporting System (REEFREP), and
• Revised VHF communications within the REEFVTS area.

Amendments to REEFREP

A submission by Australia to extend the area covered by the mandatory Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Ship Reporting System (REEFREP) to the southern boundary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was approved by the International

Maritime Organization in December 2010.

Marine Orders Part 56 (REEFREP) has been amended to give effect to the new REEFREP area and will come into force on 1 July 2011. See Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Boundaries of the new REEFVTS area

Within the extended area, REEFVTS will provide comparable measures to enhance navigational safety and protect the marine environment as are currently provided between Torres Strait and High Peak.

As from 1 July 2011, the REEFREP area will be defined by:

• the Torres Strait between longitude 141° 45’ E and 144° 00’ E, including the Endeavour Strait and the Great North East Channel; and
• the waters of the Great Barrier Reef between:
  1. the Australian coast; and
  2. the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, as bounded by a line:
     1. starting from the outer edge of the Reef at latitude 10°40’.00 S, longitude 144°00’ E; and
     2. then running south east to latitude 21° 00’ S, longitude 152° 40’ E; and
     3. then running east to latitude 21° 00’ S, longitude 152° 55’ E; and
     4. then running south south east to latitude 23°42’.00 S, longitude 153°45’.00 E; and
     5. then running south south west to latitude 24°30’.00 S, longitude 153°35’.00 E; and
     6. then running west to the intersection of latitude 24° 30’.00 S with the Australian coast at the low water line.

Mariners are reminded that a master of a ship to which Marine Orders 56 applies must make the following reports to REEFVTS:

• Pre-Entry Position Report (PER)
• Entry Report (ER)
• Passage Plan Report (RP)
• Route Deviation Report (DR) (if applicable)
• Intermediate Position Reports (IP)
• Defect Reports (IR) (if applicable)
• Final Report (FR)

Further information on the ship reporting requirements and vessel traffic services provided by REEFVTS is outlined in the REEFVTS User Guide.

Copies of the REEFVTS User Guide can be obtained at www.amsa.gov.au or may be requested by email: reefvts@amsa.gov.au or phone: 1300 721 293.

The new REEFREP area will be shown on the new edition of charts AUS 4620, AUS 4621 and new charts AUS 4635 and AUS 490 (which will be available early July 2011). Admiralty Sailing Directions (Australia Pilot) Vol III, Admiralty List of Radio Signals Vol 6(4), and the Australian Seafarers Handbook will be updated accordingly.

Revised VHF communications

The VHF channels in the existing REEFVTS area have been reviewed and rationalised to VHF Channels 11 and 14. These alternate through the REEFVTS area based on latitude, see table below. This change will be implemented from 1 July 2011.

Mick Kinley
A/g Chief Executive Officer
24 June 2011

Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181
Canberra ACT 2601

File: 041949

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