5.5 Communications associated with reporting in accordance with
the requirements of this system will be free of charge.
6 RULES AND REGULATIONS IN FORCE IN THE AREA OF THE SYSTEM
Compulsory pilotage rules apply in the northern section of the inner
route (Cape York to Cairns) and in Hydrographers Passage. Other regulations apply domestic
law in accordance with the terms of international conventions.
7 SHORE-BASED FACILITIES TO SUPPORT OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM
7.1 The existing port information centre at Hay Point, on the
central Queensland coast, close to the main shipping route through the inner route of the
GBR and Hydrographer's Passage, has been designated as the ship reporting centre for the
system.
7.2 The system will include radar coverage at certain focal areas
in the Torres Strait and inner route of the GBR. Radar will be installed in the Torres
Strait, in the vicinity of Cairns and in the Whitsunday Islands area.
7.3 All VHF communications and radar data will be relayed into
the ship reporting centre, which will be equipped to provide a high standard of service to
meet the system requirements and will be operated by trained and experienced personnel.
Operator standards will be in accordance with "Guidelines on the Recruitment,
Qualification and Training of Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Operators" (MSC/Circ.578).
7.4 The hardware and software for the system is being developed.
7.5 The system will be operated to quality standards with service
levels being constantly monitored.
7.6 Measures are in hand to install DGPS Broadcast Stations
operating in the MF band (285-325 kHz) on Horn Island (Torres Strait) by the end of 1995
and further stations in the inner route of the GBR during 1996/98. The DGPS service will
provide additional high accuracy navigational assistance throughout the reporting area.
7.7 The REEFREP ship reporting system information will be
interfaced with the AUSREP system operated by MRCC AUSTRALIA.
8 ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION IF THE COMMUNICATION FACILITIES OF
THE SHORE-BASED AUTHORITY FAIL
In the event of failure of the system VHF communications, a report from
a participating ship can be passed by any of the following methods:
.1 Seaphone through the commercial VHF coastal network;
