VTS IN HARWICH

摘要

The theme of this Symposium is the "Development Potential and Limitations of VTS". This is a wise choice of words, because it raises the questions: What is the requirement for a Vessel Traffic Service? What is its ultimate potential? What are the practical limitations and dangers of the systems in use? Much has been written on the subject of VTS on a regional, national and international basis over the last 25 years. It has been a lucrative source of income for many consultants during this period, and continues to generate large amounts of paper to fill the shelves and filing cabinets in our offices! What really matters, however, is what we do about it in the context of our own local ports and traffic conditions. A Vessel Traffic Service must be carefully tailored to the local situation while, at the same time, operating in a manner and to a standard which is acceptable and understandable by its multi-national shipmaster users. I would like to explain to you how we meet this challenge in Harwich.