National Ports Act, 2005 (Act No. 12 of 2005)

Rules

Ports Rules

Chapter 2 : Vessel Movements and Related Matters

Part B : The Regulation and Control of Navigation in the Approaches to a Port

13. Reporting to the VTS
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(1) The master of a vessel must ensure that a report is made to the VTS—
(a) at least 15 minutes before the vessel—
(i) enters a VTS zone, except where the vessel has been given a traffic clearance under rule 12(1)(a); or
(ii) commences a manoeuvre in a VTS zone that may be detrimental to safe navigation;
(b) as soon as practicable after the vessel arrives at an anchorage or mooring buoy in a VTS zone,
(c) at least five minutes before commencing a manoeuvre in a VTS zone during which the vessel leaves an anchorage or mooring buoy and gets safely under way;
(d) when the vessel arrives at a VTS reporting point as described on the charts,
(e) as soon as practicable after the vessel commences a manoeuvre in a VTS zone that may be detrimental to safe navigation; and
(f) immediately after the vessel gets safely under way after leaving an anchorage or mooring buoy in a VTS zone.

 

(2) The contents of the reports required in sub-rule (1) must specify the issues set out in the third column of the table below:

 

Item

Nature of the Report

Report to specify

1

Rule 13(1)(a)(i) - At least 15 minutes before the vessel enters a VTS zone, except where the ship

has been given a traffic clearance under rule 12(1)(1)(a).
•The name of the vessel;
•The radio call sign of the vessel;
•The position of the vessel;
•The estimated time that the vessel will enter the VTS zone;
•The destination of the vessel;
•The estimated time that the vessel will arrive at its destination; and
•Whether any dangerous goods are carried on board the vessel or the vessel being towed or pushed by the vessel.

2

Rule 13(1)(a)(ii) - At least 15 minutes before the vessel commences a manoeuvre in a VTS zone that may be detrimental to safe navigation.
•The name of the vessel;
•The position of the vessel, and
•The manoeuvre that the vessel is about to commence.

3

Rule 13(1)(b) - As soon as practicable after the vessel arrives

at an anchorage or mooring buoy in a VTS zone.
•The name of the vessel, and
•The position of the vessel.

4

Rule 13(1)(c) - At least five minutes before commencing a manoeuvre in a VTS zone during which the vessel leaves an anchorage or mooring buoy and gets safely under way.
•The name of the vessel;
•The radio call sign of the vessel;
•The position of the vessel;
• The estimated time that the vessel will depart the anchorage or mooring buoy;
•The destination of the vessel in the port;
•The estimated time that the vessel will arrive at its destination; and
•Whether any harmful substance cargo is carried on board the vessel or any vessel being towed or pushed by the vessel.

5

Rule 13(1)(d) - When the vessel arrives at a VTS reporting point as described on the charts.

 

Rule 13(1)(f) - Immediately after the vessel gets safely under way after leaving an anchorage or mooring buoy in a VTS zone.
•The name of the vessel;
•The position of the vessel and the number of the reporting point on the charts; and
•The estimated time that the vessel will arrive at the next location where a report is required by these regulations to be made.

6

Rule 13(1)(e) - As soon as practicable after the vessel commences a manoeuvre in a VTS zone that may be detrimental to safe navigation.
•Description of the manoeuvre.