Resolution MSC.139(76)

MANDATORY SHIP REPORTING SYSTEMS

(adopted on 5 December 2002)

 

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, as amended, concerning the adoption by the Organization of ship reporting systems,

 

RECALLING FURTHER resolution A.858(20) which authorizes the Committee to perform the function of adopting ship reporting systems on behalf of the Organization,

 

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the existing Guidelines and criteria for ship reporting systems adopted by resolution MSC.43(64), as amended by resolution MSC.111(73),

 

HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendations of the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation at its forty-eighth session,

 

1. ADOPTS, in accordance with SOLAS regulation V/11, the mandatory ship reporting systems:

 

- "In the Gulf of Finland" described in Annex 1 to the present resolution; and

 

- "In the Adriatic Sea" described in Annex 2 to the present resolution;

 

2. DECIDES that the said mandatory ship reporting system "In the Gulf of Finland" would be implemented on 1 July 2004, whilst the said mandatory ship reporting system "In the Adriatic Sea" will enter into force at 0000 hours UTC on 1 July 2003;

 

3. REQUESTS the Secretary-General to bring this resolution and its Annexes to the attention of Member Governments and Contracting Governments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention.

 

ANNEX 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MANDATORY SHIP REPORTING SYSTEM IN THE GULF OF FINLAND TRAFFIC AREA

 

A ship reporting system is established in the Gulf of Finland in international waters.

 

1. CATEGORIES OF SHIPS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SYSTEM

 

1.1 Ships required to participate in the mandatory ship reporting system:

 

1.2 Ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards proceeding to or from ports or passing through the reporting area between ports in the Gulf of Finland, or ships visiting the area.

 

2. GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE OF THE SYSTEM AND THE NUMBER AND EDITION OF THE REFERENCE CHART USED FOR THE DELINEATION OF THE SYSTEM

 

2.1 The system covers the international waters in the Gulf of Finland between a line drawn from Bengtskar Lighthouse to 5933'.30 N 02230'E to 5910'N 02130'E to Kopu Peninsula and longitude 02630'E.

 

2.2 The reference charts are:

 

.1 Finnish Maritime Administration charts 901 (edition 2000, scale 1:200 000), 902 (edition 2000, scale 1:200 000) and 912 (edition 1999, scale 1:200 000). Geodetic datum is the national geodetic chart-coordinate system (KKJ). WGS84 latitude correction is -0,01' and the longitude correction is +0,19'.

 

.2 Russian charts 22060-INT1213 (edition 2000, scale 1:250000). Geodetic datum of the year 1942 (Pulkovo). For obtaining position in WGS datum such position should be moved 0,12' westward. 22061-INT1214 (edition 1997, scale 1:250000). Geodetic datum of the year 1942 (Pulkovo). For obtaining position in WGS datum such position should be moved 0,13' westward.

 

.3 Estonian charts 502 (edition 2001, scale 1:100 000), 504 (edition 2001, scale 1:100 000), 507 (edition 2001, scale 1:100 000), 509 (edition 2001, scale 1:100 000), 511 (edition 2001, scale 1:100 000). Geodetic datum is WGS84.

 

The area of the reporting system is covered by hydrographic surveys.

 

Border line point by point of the Gulf of Finland ship reporting area

 

Finland

 

EUREF89

 

1. 5936'.477 N 2238'.074 E

2. 5938'.137 N 2251'.446 E

3. 5939'.413 N 2321'.123 E

4. 5947'.022 N 2412'.365 E

5. 5947'.809 N 2419'.928 E

6. 5949'.024 N 2429'.299 E

7. 5953'.524 N 2447'.122 E

8. 5955'.281 N 2455'.799 E

9. 5956'.606 N 2510'.161 E

10. 5955'.879 N 2528'.276 E

11. 5955'.692 N 2534'.962 E

12. 5955'.920 N 2537'.219 E

13. 5958'.608 N 2601'.039 E

14. 6000'.844 N 2604'.505 E

15. 6002'.293 N 2611'.314 E

16. 6002'.791 N 2617'.683 E

17. 6005'.000 N 2630'.000 E

 

Russian Federation

 

1. 6005'.000 N 2630'.000 E

2. 5957'.000 N 2630'.000 E

 

Estonia

 

1. 5956'.273 N 2626'.110 E

2. 5953'.994 N 2609'.069 E

3. 5948'.894 N 2601'.170 E

4. 5949'.593 N 2534'.569 E

5. 5942'.193 N 2428'.769 E

6. 5934'.592 N 2357'.069 E

7. 5928'.892 N 2331'.169 E

8. 5928'.991 N 2311'.369 E

9. 5928'.191 N 2308'.469 E

10. 5927'.391 N 2306'.369 E

11. 5917'.491 N 2243'.870 E

12. 5917'.691 N 2236'.070 E

13. 5916'.190 N 2223'.770 E

14. 5914'.690 N 2218'.370 E

15. 5903'.390 N 2150'.870 E

16. 5902'.100 N 2149'.000 E

17. 5910'.000 N 2130'.000 E

 

Finland

 

1. 5936'.477 N 2238'.074 E

 

3. FORMAT, CONTENT OF REPORTS, TIMES AND GEOGRAPHICAL POSITIONS FOR SUBMITTING REPORTS, AUTHORITY TO WHOM REPORTS SHOULD BE SENT AND AVAILABLE SERVICES

 

Reports should be made using VHF voice transmissions. However, ships equipped with AIS (automatic identification system) can fulfill certain reporting requirements of the system through the use of the universal AIS approved by the Organization.

 

A ship must give a short position report by voice or by AIS when entering the mandatory ship reporting area. The full report may be given by voice or by non-verbal means. A ship may elect, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, to communicate that section of the report which provides information on cargo by non-verbal means prior to entering the ship reporting area. When leaving port, the ship can give the full report to the ship reporting system by voice or by non-verbal means.

 

3.1 Format

 

3.1.1 The information given below is derived from the format-type given in paragraph 2 of the appendix to resolution A.851(20).

 

3.2 Content

 

3.2.1 A short report by voice or by AIS from a ship to the shore-based authorities should contain the following information:

 

A Name of the ship, call sign or IMO identification number (or MMSI for transponder reports)

 

B Date and Time (UTC)

 

C or D Position (expressed in latitude and longitude or bearing to

and distance from a landmark)

 

E and F Course and speed of the ship

 

3.2.2 A full report from a ship to the shore-based authorities by voice or by non-verbal means should contain the following information:

 

I Destination and ETA

 

L Route information

 

O Vessel's draught

 

P Hazardous cargo, class and quantity, if applicable

 

Q or R Breakdown, damage and/or deficiencies affecting the structure,

cargo or equipment of the ship or any other circumstances

affecting normal navigation in accordance with the provisions

of the SOLAS and MARPOL Conventions

 

T Contact information of ship's agent or owner

 

U Ship's deadweight tonnage

 

W Total number of persons on board

 

X Miscellaneous remarks, e.g. ice class, amount and nature of

bunkers if over 5000 tons, navigational status

 

Note:

On receipt of a position message, the system operators will establish the relationship between the ship's position and the information supplied by the position-fixing equipment available to them. Information on course and speed will help operators to identify one ship among a group of ships. This will be achieved automatically if AIS transponder is used.

 

All VHF-, telephone-, radar-, AIS- and other relevant information will be recorded and the records stored for 30 days.

 

3.3 Geographical position for submitting reports

 

3.3.1 Eastbound traffic should make a report to TALLINN TRAFFIC when crossing the line drawn from Bengtskar Lighthouse to 5933.30'N 02230'E to 5910'N 02130'E to Kopu Peninsula or when entering the ship reporting area from south.

 

3.3.2 Westbound traffic should make a short report to HELSINKI TRAFFIC when crossing longitude 02630'E or when entering the ship reporting area from north.

 

3.3.3 A full report to the nearest shore station should be made on departure from port.

 

3.3.4 Further reports should be made to the relevant shore station whenever there is a change of navigational status or circumstance, particularly in relation to items Q and R of the reporting format.

 

3.4 Crossing traffic

 

3.4.1 Reports to the nearest shore station should be made on departure from a port within the coverage area. Recognizing that ferries crossing between Helsinki and Tallinn generally operate according to published schedules, special reporting arrangements can be made on a ship-by-ship basis, subject to the approval of both HELSINKI TRAFFIC and TALLINN TRAFFIC.

 

3.4.2 Further reports should be made to the relevant shore station whenever there is a change of navigational status or circumstance, particularly in relation to items Q and R of the reporting format.

 

3.4.3 On the area between Helsinki and Tallinn Lighthouses there is a heavy crossing traffic in summer consisting mostly of high speed craft and recreational craft. In the area between Porkkala Lighthouse and Naissaar there are recreational sailing activities in summer.

 

3.5 Authority

 

3.5.1 The shore-based Authorities are:

 

Estonia: Estonian Maritime Administration

 

Finland: Finnish Maritime Administration

 

Russian Federation: Russian Maritime Administration

 

3.5.2 The Estonian, Finnish and Russian Authorities monitor shipping within the mandatory ship reporting area of the Gulf of Finland by radar. This does not relieve ship masters of their responsibility for the navigation of their ship.

 

4. INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED TO PARTICIPATING SHIPS AND PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED

 

4.1 Information provided

 

4.1.1 Each Authority provides information to shipping about specific and urgent situations which could cause conflicting traffic movements and other information concerning safety of navigation, for instance information about weather, ice, water level, navigational problems or other hazards. Information is broadcast on the following frequencies when necessary or on request.

 

Station

Frequency

Times

Additional

broadcasts in

wintertimes

Tallinn

VHF channel 61

working channel 81

on request or

when needed

on request or

when needed

Helsinki

VHF channel 60

working channel 80

on request or

when needed

on request or

when needed

 

St. Petersburg

VHF channel 74

working channel 10

on request or

when needed

on request or

when needed

 

 

4.1.2 Information broadcasts will be preceded by an announcement on VHF channel 16 on which channel it will be made. All ships navigating in the area should listen to the announced broadcast.

 

4.1.3 If necessary, individual information can be provided to a ship, particularly in relation to positioning and navigational assistance or local conditions. If a ship needs to anchor due to breakdown or emergency the operator can recommend suitable anchorage in the area.

 

4.2 Ice routeing in winter

 

4.2.1 During severe ice conditions the traffic separation schemes may be declared not valid. Such a decision is agreed jointly by the National Icebreaking Authorities and communicated to shipping with the daily ice reports. The decision may include all or a named traffic separation scheme.

 

4.2.2 During the period when the Gulf of Finland is covered by ice, ships reporting to the centre, will receive information on the recommended route through the ice and/or are requested to contact the national co-ordinating icebreaker for further instructions. The icebreaker gives the route according to the ice situation to the ships which fulfill the national ice class regulations and which are fit for winter navigation.

 

4.3 Deviations

 

4.3.1 If a ship participating in the mandatory ship reporting system fails to appear on the radar screen or fails to communicate with the Authority or an emergency is reported, MRCCs or MRSCs in the area are responsible for initiating a search for the ship in accordance with the rules laid down for the search and rescue service, including the involvement of other participating ships known to be in that particular area.

 

5. RADIO COMMUNICATION REQUIRED FOR THE SYSTEM, FREQUENCIES ON WHICH REPORTS SHOULD BE TRANSMITTED AND INFORMATION TO BE REPORTED

 

5.1 The radio communications equipment required for the system is that defined in the GMDSS for sea area A1.

 

5.2 Ships are required to maintain a continuous listening watch in the area and to report and take any action required by the maritime Authorities to reduce risks:

 

5.3 Common call and information channels:

 

on channel 16 call and distress

 

5.4 The full report can be made by voice on VHF radio using the following channels:

 

 

main

reserve

HELSINKI TRAFFIC

60

80

TALLINN TRAFFIC

61

81

ST. PETERSBURG TRAFFIC

74

10

 

 

 

5.5 Ship reports can, alternatively, be made by AIS, provided that the report can be transmitted fully.

 

5.6 Confidential information may be transmitted by other means.

 

5.7 The language used for communication shall be English, using the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases, where necessary.

 

6. RELEVANT RULES AND REGULATIONS IN FORCE IN THE AREA OF THE SYSTEM

 

6.1 Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

 

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea are applicable throughout the reporting area.

 

6.2 Traffic Separation Schemes

 

The Traffic Separation Schemes in the Gulf of Finland have been adopted by IMO and rule 10 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea applies.

 

6.3 Pilotage

 

Pilotage is mandatory in national waters under national laws.

 

6.4 Dangerous and hazardous cargoes

 

6.4.1 Ships carrying dangerous or hazardous cargoes and bound to or from any port within the ship reporting area must comply with the international and national regulations. The ship reporting system does not relieve ships masters of their responsibility to give the nationally required reports and information to customs authorities.

 

6.4.2 Discharges of oil and ship-generated waste is monitored by the joint Estonian, Finnish and Russian Authorities. Ships causing pollution within the area can be prosecuted and fined.

 

7. SHORE-BASED FACILITIES TO SUPPORT OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM

 

The joint Estonian, Finnish and Russian Authorities have radar, information processing and retrieval system, radio VHF and Automatic Identification System (AIS) facilities. The frequencies used in AIS NET are AIS1 and AIS2.

 

7.1 HELSINKI TRAFFIC

 

7.1.1 System capability

 

7.1.1.1 The control centre is situated at the Helsinki VTS in Helsinki. The operator can control, monitor and display the status of all the VTS sensors from the consoles. The VTS centre will at all times be manned by two operators.

 

7.1.1.2 HELSINKI TRAFFIC maintains a continuous watch on traffic in the Gulf of Finland on channels 60 and 16. Operators add reported vessel information to the associated database and can display supporting information on the screen. The system is capable of providing an automatic alarm to identify any track which strays into an unauthorised area. Recording equipment automatically stores information from all tracks, which can either be replayed in the system or from the recorded resource. Records are made by an authorized method that can be used as an evidence. Operators have access to different ship registers and hazardous cargo data.

 

7.1.2 Radar facilities

 

7.1.2.1 The surveillance sensors can observe targets of at least 300 gross tons and a minimum height of 10 metres in the given traffic area.

 

7.1.3 Radiocommunication facilities

 

7.1.3.1 Radiocommunication terminals are sited in the consoles of HELSINKI TRAFFIC operation room. VHF radio transceivers are located at Hanko, Porkkala, Harmaja, Emasalo and Orrengrund.

 

The VHF channels used are:

 

- Channel 60 working channel

 

- Channel 80 reserve channel

 

7.1.4 AIS facilities

 

7.1.4.1 HELSINKI TRAFFIC can continually receive the messages broadcasted by ships fitted with transponders to gain information on their identity and position. This information is displayed as an icon on an electronic chart covering the Gulf of Finland mandatory ship reporting area.

 

7.1.5 Personnel qualifications and training

 

7.1.5.1 HELSINKI TRAFFIC is staffed with personnel trained according to national and international recommendations.

 

7.1.5.2 The training of the personnel comprises an overall study of the navigation safety measures, the relevant international (IMO) and national provisions with respect to safety of navigation. The training also includes thorough real-time simulations in different ship bridge simulators. The trainees are trained as well in navigating ships through the VTS area as servicing shipping from the VTS Centre.

 

7.2 TALLINN TRAFFIC

 

7.2.1 System capability