How to understand Vessel Traffic Services?
Short Summary:
This video explains Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), focusing on how leisure boaters can use VHF radio to improve safety around commercial shipping. Key points include listening to designated VTS channels (e.g., Southampton on channel 12, Poole on channel 14), understanding ship-to-VTS communication, and interpreting terminology like "P.E.C." (Pilot Exemption Certificate). The video uses examples from the Ports of Poole and Southampton, showcasing ship departures and arrivals, reporting points (like "Aunt Betty" buoy), and the coordination of vessel movements to avoid collisions. The implications highlight the importance of VTS for safe navigation, especially in busy waterways where multiple commercial vessels operate simultaneously. The video details the communication process between ships and VTS, including the information exchanged (passenger count, draft, defects, destination).
Detailed Summary:
The video is divided into several sections demonstrating how VTS works and how to interpret VTS communications:
Section 1: Introduction to VTS and its Importance: The speaker introduces VTS as a crucial system for ensuring the safety of leisure boaters around commercial ships. He emphasizes the importance of knowing a ship's location, heading, and speed to avoid collisions. The use of VHF marine radios to listen to the dedicated VTS channel for each port is highlighted.
Section 2: Poole Harbour Example – Condor Voyager Departure: This section details a real-time example of the Condor Voyager ferry departing Poole Harbour. The speaker explains the communication between the ship's captain and Harbour Control, highlighting the information provided (passenger count, vehicle count, crew, draft, absence of defects, pilot on board). The importance of reporting points (Aunt Betty buoy and Bar buoy) is explained, showing how VTS monitors vessel movements. The speaker emphasizes the clarity and conciseness of the communication. A key phrase is the captain's statement, "we're ready to depart for St. Helier."
Section 3: Southampton Port Example – Refueling Tanker Arrival: This section shifts to the Port of Southampton, illustrating a more complex scenario involving a refueling tanker berthing alongside a cruise ship. The speaker explains the communication between the tanker's pilot and VTS, including the planned maneuver (180-degree turn), draft, and confirmation of no defects. The concept of a ship being "at stations" (crew ready for departure, tugs attached) is introduced, along with the coordination of multiple vessels (Cape Bacton, Frederica, Red Osprey) in the port area.
Section 4: Southampton Port – Multiple Vessel Coordination: This section further demonstrates the complexity of VTS in a busy port like Southampton. The example involves a container ship (Nordautumn), highlighting the information relayed (length, tonnage, persons on board, berth). The speaker emphasizes how multiple vessels (Frederica, Red Osprey, Cape Bacton, Nordautumn) interact, illustrating the need for leisure boaters to monitor VTS communications to avoid potential hazards. The speaker uses the example of a small yacht sailing from the Hamble to Cowes to illustrate the potential impact of these large vessels.
Section 5: Conclusion: The video concludes by reiterating the importance of listening to the local VTS channel for safe navigation, especially in busy areas with significant commercial traffic. The speaker encourages viewers to like and subscribe to the channel.