| Author | Message | ||
     Ted Lavino Senior Member Username: Tlavino Post Number: 286 Registered: 01-2004 |
Updated links: VTS LA/Long Beach: http://www.mxsocal.org/VESSEL-TRAFFIC-SERVICE.aspx VTS LA/Long Beach User's Guide: http://www.mxsocal.org/VESSEL-TRAFFIC-SERVICE/VTS-User-Manual.aspx | ||
| Ted Lavino Senior Member Username: Tlavino Post Number: 271 Registered: 01-2004 |
Greetings All, supplementing the info below are a couple of new links: USCG VTS Home Page: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/vts/vts_home.htm The LA/Long Beach VTS link has been updated with its own home page. See my later post for the link. LA/Long Beach VTS User's Manual: See my later post for the link A printable version of the user's manual is available at the link in my later post. | ||
| Ted Lavino Senior Member Username: Tlavino Post Number: 206 Registered: 01-2004 |
Greetings All, a reminder regarding Vessel Traffic Service responsibilities for non-participating vessels. I urge everyone to heed item #5 and monitor VTS on VHF Ch. 14 as you near the traffic separation zones for advance information on ships that may be headed in your direction. Non-Participating Vessel: If your vessel does not fall into either of the above categories, you are not required by law to participate with VTS. However, your vessel is still subject to the following: 1. Observing and obeying all International Rules of the Road, especially Rule 9 (Narrow Channels)and Rule 10 (Traffic Separation Schemes/Vessel Traffic Services). 2. Encouraged to be a voluntary passive user and observe VTS measures (advice/information given by the VTS to all craft in the AOR). 3. All other measures of safe navigation and prudent seamanship while operating in VTS waters. 4. Non-Participating vessels may contact VTS on VHF-FM Channel 14 to obtain information, seek assistance, or report emergencies. 5. All non-participating craft are encouraged to monitor VHF-FM Channel 14 at all times while operating in the VTS Area of Responsibility whereby they may keep track of activities and movements of all participating vessels. 6. Small vessels and recreational craft are encouraged to utilize a radar reflector when operating in the VTS AOR. For further info See my later post for new links to Long Beach VTS above. | ||
| Ted Lavino Senior Member Username: Tlavino Post Number: 59 Registered: 01-2004 |
From a discussion in the 214 Skippers' section: Since we are so close to the San Pedro VTS sector and traffic separation schemes I thought definitive information regarding Vessel Traffic Services would be of interest. Information may be found in the Maritime Exchange's VTS Manual (www.mxsocal.org/VESSEL-TRAFFIC-SERVICE/VTS-User-Manual.aspx) and in the Coast Pilot Chapter 1 paragraph 636, Chapter 3 paragraph 2253 and Chapter 4 Paragraph 194. The Coast Guard strongly suggests (and I concur) to guard the VTS control frequency (Channel 14 for the San Pedro sector) to obtain early warning information regarding large vessels while in the vicinity of the traffic separation scheme. In addition it would be helpful to review Rule #10 of the Navigation Rules which deals with Traffic Separation Schemes. Official copies of current Navigation rules can be found at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/navrules.htm Another link with authoritative general info re: VTS is listed below. The Long Beach VTS organizaton is relatively new to the internet and their information has not made it to this link. http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/vts/vts_table.htm |
