Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), Mandatory Ship Reporting (SRS) & IMO SMCP Bridge Guide (A.1158(32) & A.918(22))

Adopted on 15 December 2021, IMO Assembly Resolution A.1158(32) revoked the 1997 VTS Guidelines (Res. A.857(20)) and modernized how coastal VTS authorities and participating ships interact under SOLAS Regulation V/12:

• Unified VTS Operational Purpose (§ 3.1 & § 3.2): Rather than dividing VTS into separate INS, TOS, and NAS tiers, Resolution A.1158(32) defines VTS as an integrated service that mitigates unsafe situations by (1) providing timely and relevant information (traffic positions/intentions, MSI, vessel manoeuvrability limitations, reporting/ISPS formalities, and allied pilotage/tug services), (2) monitoring and managing ship traffic (advance movement planning, space allocation, traffic clearances, voyage/passage plan systems, route advice, and regulatory enforcement), and (3) responding to developing unsafe situations (route deviation, navigation/manoeuvring equipment failure, severe weather, or grounding/collision risk) through information, advice, warnings, and instructions.
• Participating Ship Obligations (§ 6.1): In a declared VTS area, participating ships must: (1) provide reports or information required by VTS, (2) take into account the information provided or advice and warnings issued by VTS, (3) comply with the requirements and instructions given to the ship by VTS unless contradictory safety or marine environment protection reasons exist, and (4) report any pollution or dangers to navigation to VTS.
• Master's Ultimate Responsibility & Overriding Action (§ 6.3 & § 7.1): Section 7.1 explicitly states that nothing in the VTS Guidelines changes the ultimate responsibility of the Master for all aspects of the operation of the ship, including safe navigation. If the Master decides to disregard a VTS instruction for overriding safety or environmental protection reasons, the Master must report their actions to VTS without delay (§ 6.3) and record the circumstances in the bridge logbook.

Under SOLAS Regulation V/11, ships entering IMO-adopted Mandatory Ship Reporting Systems (such as GREENPOS / KYSTKONTROL off Greenland under Res. MSC.126(75), BELTREP in the Great Belt under Res. MSC.230(82) for ships ≥ 50 GT or air draught ≥ 15 m, Barents SRS under Res. MSC.348(91) for ships ≥ 5,000 GT / all tankers / hazmat / tows > 200 m, DOVER / CALDOVREP, OUESSREP, STRAITREP, and REEFVTS) must transmit standardized reports formatted using IMO Resolution A.851(20) designators:

Under SOLAS Regulation V/14.4 and STCW Code Table A-II/1, bridge watchkeepers and pilots use the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP, Resolution A.918(22)) to prevent accidents caused by phonetic confusion or ambiguous phrasing:

• Closed-Loop Standard Wheel & Engine Orders (SMCP Part A2/1 & A2/2): Every wheel order given by the Master, OOW, or Pilot (e.g. "Starboard twenty", "Midships", "Steady as she goes") and every telegraph/thruster order must be repeated word-for-word by the helmsman or operator when received and confirmed again when the rudder or engine reaches the ordered setting.
• Modified Phonetic Digits & Error Correction (SMCP General §§ 7–10): Pronounce numbers as ZEERO, WUN, TOO, TREE, FOWER, FIFE, SIX, SEVEN, AIT, NINER, TOUSAND, state course in 3 digits (009° = ZEERO-ZEERO-NINER degrees), and correct transmission errors immediately with "Mistake ... Correction ...".
• Working Language Logbook Entry (SOLAS V/14.3): Verify in the PSC Inspection Workspace that the ship's established working language is entered in the official/bridge logbook and that all muster lists, fire control plans, and emergency instructions are posted in that working language.