VTM

Question 1

What are the limitations of AIS?

Answer 1

Not all vessels carry AIS (eg leisure craft, non-SOLAS vessels etc)

The AIS may be switched off

The inputted manual data may be incorrect Lack of or poor quality training

If overlaid onto ECDIS / RADAR risk of cluttering the display

AIS information liable to target sensor error, GPS, heading errors etc.

Question 2

On C-Scope what are the 5 ALERT TYPES?

Answer 2

Miscellaneous Alerts

Track Alerts

Area Alerts

AIS Messages

System Alerts

Question 3

What are the update / refresh rates for AIS?

Answer 3

Terrestrial AIS (T-AIS) Class A – between 3 secs and 6 mins

Terrestrial AIS (T-AIS) Class B – between 6 secs and 6 mins

Satellite AIS (S-AIS) – up to 60 mins

LRIT – up to 6 hours

VMS – up to 2 hours

RADAR – approx. 5 secs

Question 4

Define 3 points of the rule of Traffic Separation Schemes

Answer 4

Rule 10

A vessel using a TSS shall:

Proceed in the appropriate traffic lane in the general direction of traffic flow for that lane.

So far as practicable keep clear of a traffic separation line or separation zone.

Shall, so far as practicable, avoid crossing traffic lanes but if obliged to do so shall cross on

a heading as nearly practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.

Question 5

Define ‘Not Under Command’

Answer 5

A vessel which through some exceptional circumstance is unable to manoeuvre as
required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.

Question 6

Define ‘Constrained By Draught’

Answer 6

A power-driven vessel which, because of her draught in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water, is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following.

Question 7

Define ‘Restricted in the Ability to Manoeuvre’

Answer 7

A vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre as required but these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. For example, vessels who are: engaged in dredging, surveying or underwater operations; engaged in the launching or recovering of aircraft.

Question 8

What rule is being contravened if a vessel does not respond to a call on the VHF?

Answer 8

Rule 5 – Look-out

Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

Question 9

What action must a ‘give-way’ vessel take?

Answer 9

Rule 16 – Action by give-way vessel

Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear.

Question 10

Who do the IRPCS apply to?

Answer 10

Rule 1 – Application

These Rules shall apply to all vessels upon the high seas and in all waters connected therewith navigable by seagoing vessels.

Question 11

What must fishing vessels do in a TSS?

Answer 11

Rule 10 – TSS

A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any vessel following a traffic lane.

Question 12

Define ‘Incident’ and ‘Accident’

Answer 12

An incident is “Anything which affects or could affect the safety of a ship or other ships”. May include propulsion system, navigation equipment, comms system etc.

An accident is “Any occurrence affecting the safety of a ship”. May include collision, grounding, flooding etc.

Question 13

Compare VTM and VTS

Answer 13

VTM: Reactive VTS: Proactive
VTM: Monitor, report & initiate action. VTS: IMO defined levels of service.
VTM: EU directive guidance VTS: IALA/IMO standardised requirements & guidelines.
VTM: UK SRR & PCZ VTS: IMO defined & published internationally
VTM: No internationally regonised training VTS: IALA V103 qualified

Question 14

What is the VTMD application?

Answer 14

Traditional Vessels over 45m

Leisure craft over 45m

All vessels over 300GMT

Fishing vessels over 45m

Vessels carrying dangerous or polluting cargo

Vessels exempt: warships, small fishing vessels, workboats

Question 15

List two danger areas around the UK and how they are managed

Answer 15

Dover Strait – the TSS and the mandatory reporting scheme

The Minches – the TSS and the voluntary reporting scheme

Question 16

What are WETREP and CALDOVREP?

Answer 16

Mandatory reporting areas / system

Question 17

What is a WETREP and who needs to comply?

Answer 17

West European Tanker Reporting System

For Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas, when vessels are entering, exiting and deviating from planned route

Applies to every kind of oil tanker of 600GMT

Question 18

What is a CALDOVREP and who needs to comply?

Answer 18

Pas de Calais / Dover Reporting system

For all vessels over 300GMT under SOLAS V

When entering and exiting the Calais / Dover TSS, SW traffic to report to Dover, NE traffic to report to Gris-Nez

Question 19

Can a VTM issue instructions?

Answer 19

Generally no, we have no enforcement powers. However, we can broadcast an instruction on behalf of the SOSREP.

Question 20

What are the advantages of SMCP?

Answer 20

Providing one phrase for one event

No synonyms or contracted wording avoids confusion

Easy to recognise and memorise

Useful to trigger predictable action

Question 21

List 4 message markers and give an example of each

Answer 21

QUESTION, what are your intentions?

My INTENTIONS are to continue on my heading and maintain my speed.

ANSWER, I have 3 persons on board.

REQUEST you go to VHF Ch 67

Question 22

List the remaining 4 message markers and give an example of each

Answer 22

WARNING you have a sandbank 0.1nm on a bearing of 090.

INFORMATION according to my systems you are approaching the TSS.

ADVISE you refer to your charts to find a suitable anchorage.

INSTRUCTION, on behalf of the SOSREP you are to keep clear of this area

Question 23

What a prohibited area?

Answer 23

Prohibited area is an area that all vessels are prohibited from entering (eg around a warship).

Question 24

What is the Paris MOU?

Answer 24

The mission is to eliminate sub-standard ships through a harmonised system of Port State Control through an organisation of 27 maritime administrations and covers the North Atlantic basin.

Question 25

What is a restricted area?

Answer 25

Restricted area is an area that have restrictions to the type of vessels or the times that the area can be accessed.

Question 26

Name one flag of convenience. Why it is a flag of convenience?

Answer 26

Malta, Hong Kong, Cyprus

Less rigorous standards. Financial incentives.

Question 27

List the TSS’s around the UK

Answer 27

Off Neist Point in the Minches
North Channel
Liverpool Bay
Off Skerries
Off Smalls
Off Lands End between Seven Stones & Longships
West of the Scilly Isles
East of the Scilly Isles
Approaches to the River Humber
Strait of Dover
The Sunk

Question 28

Under what conditions an EU SITREP must be completed?

Answer 28

Results of an inspection

Vessel involved in an incident or accident

Reports from a port or harbour

Banned vessel within the UK waters

Ships which have failed to comply with reporting requirements

Proof of presumptive evidence of discharges of oil

Exceptionally bad weather (advice to ships master)

Ships which have been refused access to ports of member states

Ships which have failed to comply with routeing measures

Question 29

ATBA?

Answer 29

Around CS4 light buoy in Dover Strait
Around Foxtrot 3 buoy in TSS
Sunk area and northern approaches to the Thames
North of Shetland
Region of Orkney Islands
Region of the Fair Isle
West & South of Shetland
Between Smalls lighthouse and Grassholme Island
Liverpool Bay