Resolution
MSC.230(82)
ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE EXISTING MANDATORY SHIP REPORTING SYSTEM "IN
THE STOREBELT (GREAT BELT) TRAFFIC AREA"
(adopted on 5 December 2006)
THE
MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,
RECALLING
Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Committee,
RECALLING
ALSO regulation V/11 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at
Sea (SOLAS), 1974, in relation to the adoption of mandatory ship reporting
systems by the Organization,
RECALLING
FURTHER resolution A.858(20) resolving that the function of adopting ship
reporting systems shall be performed by the Committee on behalf of the
Organization,
TAKING
INTO ACCOUNT the Guidelines and criteria for ship reporting systems, adopted by
resolution MSC.43(64), as amended by resolutions MSC.111(73) and MSC.189(79),
HAVING
CONSIDERED the recommendations of the Sub-Committee on Safety on Navigation, at
its fifty-second session,
1.
ADOPTS, in accordance with SOLAS regulation V/11, the amendments to the
existing mandatory ship reporting system "In the Great Belt Traffic
Area", set out in the Annex to the present resolution;
2.
DECIDES that the said amendments to the existing mandatory ship reporting
system "In the Storebelt (Great Belt) Traffic Area (BELTREP)" will
enter into force at 0000 hours UTC on 1 July 2007;
3.
REQUESTS the Secretary-General to bring this resolution and its Annex to the
attention of the Member Governments and SOLAS Contracting Governments to the
1974 SOLAS Convention.
Annex.
MANDATORY SHIP REPORTING SYSTEM "IN THE STOREBELT (GREAT BELT) TRAFFIC
AREA (BELTREP)"
1. Categories of
ships required to participate in the system
1.1
Ships required to participate in the ship reporting system:
1.1.1
ships with a gross tonnage of 50 and above; and
1.1.2
all ships with an air draught of 15 m or more.
2. Geographical
coverage of the system and the number and edition of the reference chart used
for delineation of the system
2.1
The operational area of BELTREP covers the central and northern part of the
Storebelt (Great Belt) and the Hatter Barn area north of Storebelt (Great Belt)
as shown below and on the chartlet given in Appendix 1. The area includes the
routeing systems in the Storebelt (Great Belt) area and at Hatter Barn.
2.1.1
Northern borderlines
Fyn: 55°36′.00 N, 010°38′.00 E
(Korshavn)
Samse:
55°47′.00 N, 010°38′.00 E (East coast of Samse)
56°00′.00 N, 010°56′.00 E
(At sea near Marthe Flak)
Sjelland:
56°00′.00 N, 011°17′.00 E (Sjellands Odde)
2.1.2
Southern borderlines
Stigsnes:
55°12′.00 N, 011°15′.40 E (Gulf Oil’s Pier)
Omo:
55°08′.40 N, 011°09′.00 E (Orespids, Omo)
55°05′.00
N, 011°09′.00 E (At sea South of Erespids)
Langeland E:
55°05′.00 N, 010°56′.10 E (Snode Ore)
Langeland W:
55°00′.00 N, 010°48′.70 E (South of Korsebolle Rev)
Thuro Rev:
55°01′.20 N, 010°44′.00 E (Thuro Rev Light buoy)
2.1.3
The area is divided into two sectors at latitude 55°35′.00 N; each sector
has an assigned VHF channel as shown in appendix 2.
2.2
The reference charts which include the operational areas of BELTREP are Danish
charts Nos. 112 (11th edition 2005), 128 (8th edition 2005) 141 (18th edition
2006), 142 (15th edition 2006), 143 (16th edition 2005) and 160 (6th edition
2006) (Datum: World Geodetic System 1984, WGS 84), which provide large-scale
coverage of the VTS area.
3. Format, content of
reports, times and geographical positions for submitting reports, Authority of
whom reports should be sent and available services
3.1
Reports to the VTS authority should be made using VHF voice transmissions.
However ships equipped with AIS (automatic identification system) can fulfil
certain reporting requirements of the system through the use of AIS approved by
the Organization.
3.2
A ship must give a full report when entering the mandatory ship reporting area.
The full report may be combined by voice or by non-verbal means. A ship may
select, for reason of commercial confidentiality, to communicate that section
of the report, which provides information on next port of call by non-verbal
means prior to entering the ship reporting area.
3.3
Format
3.3.1
The ship report shall be drafted in accordance with the format shown in
appendix 3. The information requested from ships is derived from the Standard
Reporting Format shown in paragraph 2 of the appendix to IMO resolution
A.851(20).
3.4
Content
3.4.1
A full report from a ship to the VTS Authority by voice or by non-verbal means
should contain the following information:
A Name of the
ship, call sign and IMO identification number (if available)
C Position
expressed in latitude and longitude
I Next port of
call
L Route
information on the intended track through the Storebelt (Great Belt) area.
O Maximum
present draught
Q Defects and
deficiencies
U Deadweight
tonnage and air draught
3.4.2
A short report by voice from a ship to the VTS authority should contain the
following information:
A Name of the
ship, call sign and IMO identification number (if available)
C Position
expressed in latitude and longitude
Note: On receipt
of a report, operators of the VTS Authority will establish the relation to the
ship’s position and the information supplied by the facilities available to
them. Information on position will help operators to identify a ship.
Information on current in specific parts of the VTS area will be provided to
the ship.
3.5
Geographical position for submitting reports
3.5.1
Ships entering the VTS area shall submit a full report when crossing the lines
mentioned in paragraph 2.1, 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 or on departure from a port within
the VTS area.
3.5.2
Ships passing the reporting line between sector 1 and sector 2 at latitude
55°35′.00 N. shall submit a short report.
3.5.3
Further reports should be made whenever there is a change in navigational
status or circumstance, particularly in relation to item Q of the reporting
format.
3.6
Crossing traffic
3.6.1
Recognizing that ferries crossing Samsø Bælt from Århus, Ebeltoft and Samsø to
Odden and Kalundborg generally operate in according to published schedules
special reporting arrangements can be made on a ship-to-ship basis.
3.7
Authority
3.7.1
The VTS Authority for the BELTREP is Great Belt VTS.
4. Information to be
provided to ships and procedures to be followed
4.1
Ships are required to keep a continuous listening watch in the area.
4.2
BELTREP provides information to shipping about specific and urgent situations,
which could cause conflicting traffic movements as well as other information
concerning safety of navigation for instance, information about weather,
current, ice, water level, navigational problems or other hazards.
4.2.1
Information of general interest to shipping in the area will be given by
request or will be broadcasted by BELTREP on VHF channel as specified by the
VTS operator. A broadcast will be preceded by an announcement on VHF channel
16. All ships navigating in the area should listen to the announced broadcast.
4.2.2
If necessary BELTREP can provide individual information to a ship particularly
in relation to positioning and navigational assistance or local conditions.
4.3
If a ship needs to anchor due to breakdown, low visibility, adverse weather,
changes in the indicated depth of water, etc. BELTREP can recommend suitable
anchorages and place of refuge within the VTS area. The anchorages are marked
on the nautical charts covering the area and are shown on the chartlet in
appendix 1.
5. Communication
required for the system, frequencies on which reports should be transmitted and
information reported
5.1
Radio communications required for the system is as follows:
5.1.1
The reports to the VTS authority can be made by voice on VHF radio using:
- In sector 1:
Channel 74
- In sector 2:
Channel 11
5.1.2
Information of commercial confidential nature may be transmitted by non-verbal
means.
5.1.3
Broadcast by BELTREP and individual assistance to ships will be made on channel
10 or on any other available channel as assigned by BELTREP.
5.2
BELTREP is monitoring VHF channels 10, 11, 74 and 16.
5.3
The language used for communication shall be English, using IMO Standard Marine
Communication Phrases, where necessary.
6. Rules and
regulations in force in the area of the system
6.1
Regulations for preventing collisions at sea
6.1.1
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at sea are applicable
throughout the operational area of BELTREP.
6.2
Traffic separation scheme "Between Korsoer and Sprogoe"
6.2.1
The Traffic separation scheme "Between Korsoer and Sprogoe", situated
in the narrows of the Eastern Channel between the islands of Fyn and Sjælland,
has been adopted by IMO, and rule 10 of the International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea therefore applies.
6.3
Traffic separation scheme "At Hatter Barn"
6.3.1
The separation scheme "At Hatter Barn" situated north of the
Storebelt (Great Belt) between the islands of Sjælland and Samsø, has been
adopted by IMO, and rule 10 of the International Regulations for Preventing
Collisions at Sea therefore applies.
6.3.2
The minimum depth in the traffic separation scheme is 15 metres at mean sea
level. Ships with a draught of more than 13 meters should use the deep-water
route, which lies west of the traffic separation scheme.
6.4
The Great Belt Bridges
6.4.1
Passage through the marked spans at the West Bridge is allowed only for ships
below 1,000 tonnes deadweight and with an air draught of less than 18 metres.
6.4.2
Passage through the traffic separation scheme under the East Bridge is allowed
only for ships with an air draught of less than 65 metres. There is a
recommended speed limit of 20 knots in the traffic separation scheme.
6.5
IMO resolution MSC.138(76)
6.5.1
IMO resolution MSC.138(76) on Recommendation on Navigation through the
entrances to the Baltic Sea, adopted on 5 December 2002, recommends that ships
with a draught of 11 metres or more or ships irrespective of size or draught,
carrying a shipment of irradiated nuclear fuel, plutonium and high-level
radioactive wastes (INF-cargoes) should use the pilotage services locally
established by the coastal States.
6.6
Mandatory pilotage
6.6.1
Harbours within the BELTREP area are covered by provisions about mandatory
pilotage for certain ships bound for or coming from Danish harbours.
7. Shore based
facilities to support the operation of the system
7.1.1
The control centre is situated at the Naval Regional Centre at Korsør. The VTS
system comprises several remote sensor sites. The sites provide surveillance of
the VTS area using a combination of radar, radio direction finding, Automatic
Identification System (AIS) and electro-optic sensors. An integrated network of
seven radar systems integrated with AIS provides surveillance of the VTS area.
7.1.2
All the sensors mentioned will be controlled or monitored by the VTS operators.
7.1.3
There are five operator consoles in the control centre, one of which is
intended for system maintenance and diagnostic purposes, which allows these
activities to be carried out without disruption of the normal operations. The
operator can from each of the consoles control and display the status of the
sensors. The VTS centre will at all times be manned with a duty officer and
three operators.
7.1.4
Recording equipment automatically stores information from all tracks, which can
be replayed. In case of incidents the VTS authority can use records as
evidence. VTS operators have access to different ship registers, pilot
information and hazardous cargo data.
7.2 Radar, electro-optic
facilities and other sensors
7.5.2
Information necessary to evaluate the traffic activities within the operational
area of BELTREP is compiled via VTS area remote controlled sensors comprising:
High-resolution
radar systems;
infra-red sensor
systems;
daylight TV
systems;
VHF
communications systems; and
DF systems.
7.3 Radio communication
facilities
7.5.3
Radio communication equipment in the control centre consists of six VHF radios
including DSC facilities. The VHF channels used are:
Channel 74
Working channel
Channel 11
Working channel
Channel 10
Broadcast channel and reserve channel
7.4.1
BELTREP is linked to the national shore based AIS network and can continually
receive messages broadcast by ships with transponders to gain information on
their identity and position. The information is displayed as part of the VTS
system and is covering the VTS area.
7.5 Personnel qualifications
and training
7.5.4
The VTS centre is staffed with civilian personnel all experienced as officers
at a competency level required in the International Convention on Standards of
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers chapter II, section
A-II/1 or A-II/2.
7.5.2
Training of personnel will meet the standards recommended by IMO. Furthermore
it will comprise an overall study of the navigation safety measures established
in Danish waters and in particular the operational area of BELTREP including a
study of relevant international and national provisions with respect to safety
of navigation. The training also includes real-time training in simulators.
7.5.5
Refresher training is carried out at least every third year.
8. Information
concerning the applicable procedures if the communication facilities of
shore-based Authority fail
8.1
The system is designed with sufficient system redundancy to cope with normal
equipment failure.
8.2
In the event that the radio communication system or the radar system at the VTS
centre breaks down, the communications will be maintained via a standby VHF
system. To continue the VTS operation in order to avoid collisions in the
bridge area, Great Belt VTS has two options. Either to man the VTS emergency
centre at Sprogø or to hand over the responsibility to the VTS Guard vessel,
which at all times is stationed in the BELTREP operational area.
8.3
The VTS emergency centre is equipped with radar, VHF radio sets and CCTV
cameras.
8.4
The VTS Guard vessel is equipped with VHF and radars with ARPA and AIS.
Furthermore, it is equipped with ECDIS, which displays radar targets.
9. Measures to be
taken if a ship fails to comply with the requirements of the system
9.1
The objective of the VTS Authority is to facilitate the exchange of information
between the shipping and the shore in order to ensure safe passages of the
bridges, support safety of navigation and protection of the marine environment.
9.2
The VTS Authority seeks to prevent collisions with the bridges crossing Storebelt
(Great Belt). When a ship appears to be on a collision course with one of the
bridges, the VTS guard vessel will be sent out to try to prevent such a
collision.
9.3
All means will be used to encourage and promote the full participation of ships
required to submit reports under SOLAS regulation V/11. If reports are not
submitted and the offending ship can be positively identified, then information
will be passed to the relevant Flag State Authority for investigation and
possible prosecution in accordance with national legislation. Information will
also be made available to Port State Control inspectors.