- the name of the ship, its call sign or IMO identification
number, its position (letters A and C or D);
- information considered necessary;
- the course and speed of the ship (letters E and F). When
they receive a position report message, the VTS operators attempt to correlate the
position of the ship with the information at their disposal:
- radar echo at the position indicated
- direction-finder readings
- description of the surroundings given by the ship's watch
- position in relation to other ships (in the event of heavy traffic)
- course and speed.
Information on course and speed are therefore additional elements
allowing the VTS operators to correlate the position announced and, if necessary) to
identify one ship among a group of ships;
- access to the north-eastbound lane of the "Off
Ushant" traffic separation scheme is prohibited to certain cargoes (oils, noxious
liquid substances MARPOL A and B in particular). In order to allow the VTS operators to
monitor application of the traffic regulations within the TSS approved by IMO, ships
requiring to transit in the north-eastbound lane must confirm that they are not
transporting a cargo for which passage in this area is prohibited; and
.2 in addition, in accordance with the provisions of the SOLAS
and MARPOL Conventions) the ships must report information relating to defects, damage,
deficiencies or other limitations as well as, if necessary, information relating to
pollution incidents or loss of cargo.
3.2 Recipient of report
The shore-based authority is the Corsen/Ouessant vessel traffic service
(voice communication sign "Ushant Traffic") installed at the CROSS CORSEN site.
The Regional Centre for Surveillance and Rescue Operations - CROSS CORSEN is a service
provided by the Department of Maritime Affairs, a department of the Ministry of Equipment,
Transport and Tourism. It combines the maritime rescue coordination centre (MRCC) and the
VTS as well as carrying out functions for the French Administration (monitoring fishing,
monitoring pollution).
