STANDING THE WATCH

This article describes the structure and operations of the U.S. Coast Guard's Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). VTS provides surveillance and directs the safe navigation of the nation's waterways 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year. There are 9 VTS centers nationwide responsible for monitoring vessel traffic, collecting data about ship movements, and informing mariners of relevant traffic information. The job of VTS operators is primarily to provide recommendations that avert collisions, allisions, or groundings to enhance navigation and vessel safety, and to protect the marine environment. Nationally, VTS operators monitor the safe movement of approximately 20,000 vessels/month.

• Corporate Authors:

  United States Coast Guard

  National Maritime Center, 4200 Wilson Boulevard
  Arlington, VA  United States  22203-1804
• Authors:
  • Northrup, R
  • Wysock, M
• Conference:
  • Proceedings of the Marine Safety Council
• Publication Date: 1999-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: p. 22-23
• Serial:
  • Volume: 56
  • Issue Number: 4

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Environmental protection; Harbor traffic control; Marine safety; Maritime safety; Port traffic; Ports; Vessel traffic control; Water traffic; Waterways
• Identifier Terms: United States Coast Guard
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation; Operations and Traffic Management; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00789412
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 1 2002 12:00AM