GUIDING THE WAY - THE REVISION OF THE IMO GUIDELINES FOR VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES

摘要

The SOLAS Convention provides the overarching international basis for vessel traffic services (VTS) within Regulation 1 2 of Chapter V on the Safety of Navigation. The Regulation introduces the well-known international definition of a VTS being 'to contribute to the safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation and protection of the marine environment, adjacent shore areas, work sites and offshore installations from possible adverse effects of maritime traffic'. In particular, the Regulation states that Contracting Governments, when 'planning and implementing VTS shall wherever possible, follow the guidelines developed by the Organization'. The guidelines referred to are clarified in a footnote to Regulation 12 as being the 'Guidelines on Vessel Traffic Services adopted by the Organization by resolution A.857(20)'.