Message Markers for VTS ▼

Message Markers:

Information
Question
Answer
Warning
Request
Advice
Instruction

Over – conversation is continuing Out – conversation is terminated

Note: Message Marker Intention is not used for VTS.
Intention may be used in the context of: 'Question: What are your intentions?'

Calling (Initial Call) ▼

[Ship name] X2 this is [VTS] X2 (Channel ....) Over

Information ▼

[Ship name] this is [VTS] Information: [provide information] Over

Acknowledge Information ▼

[Ship name] this is [VTS] Yes (if response is in the affirmative) (Repeat if required) Out

Note: Can use 'Received' when only acknowledgement of receipt is required.
DO NOT use 'Yes, Received' – use one or the other.

Traffic Information ▼

Provide in IPI (Identity, Position, Intention) [Ship name] this is [VTS] [Traffic] Information: (OR Information [Traffic]) (* vessel Identity (current Position) (Intention) (i.e., Inbound / Outbound) Over Remember: Information must be: Short - Timely Clear - Accurate Relevant - Repeat if required

Note: Can add in type of vessel before identity – i.e. "passenger vessel Danielsen"

Traffic Information - No Traffic ▼

[Ship name] this is [VTS] [Traffic] Information: (OR Information [Traffic]) No reported [or observed] Traffic Over

Traffic Clearance Provided ▼

[Ship name] this is [VTS] Yes (Traffic Clearance) [Ship name] has permission to depart [Berth XXX] for [XXX] (alternate: clearance to depart) (may be subject to a condition: i.e when vessel X is past and clear) Call when underway Over

Traffic Clearance Not Provided ▼

[Ship name] this is [VTS] No (Clearance Denied) Advice or (Instruction) Remain alongside (at anchor) (Reason) Call again in XXX minutes (if appropriate) Over

Vessel Calls Underway ▼

[Ship name] this is [VTS] Yes [Ship name] departed Berth XXX [destination] Traffic Information [if required] Over (if traffic information provided) Out (if no traffic information provided)

Managing Ship Traffic ▼

[Ship name] this is [VTS] Information [as appropriate] Provide advice, or instruction as appropriate (examples):

Do not cross...
Do not overtake...
Maintain ETA...
Permission to enter / leave / cross...
[Ship Name] Number [1, 2, 3...] [for pilot boarding; under the bridge; in the channel]
Wait for (details)
(Other as appropriate)

Monitor: Follow up with repeat of Warning, move to Advice / Instruction. Depending on severity, may go immediately to Advice / Instruction without asking 'Question: what are your intentions?'

Vessel Not Proceeding as Expected ▼

[Ship name] this is [VTS] Information [or Warning]: According to my equipment (sensors) your vessel (will pass close to / is exiting the channel / ...) Question: What are your intentions? Over

Note: Message marker used as appropriate to situation.

Responding to Developing Unsafe Situations ▼

Initial Warning: [Ship name] this is [VTS] Information [Warning] Message element that identifies the unsafe situation (examples):

Danger of close quarter situation with...
You are approaching... (shallow water, danger)
You are leaving...
You have deviated from...
Your position...

Question: What are your intentions? Over Follow-up if needed: [Ship name] this is [VTS] Warning (update as required) Advice [Instruction] Message element that identifies the unsafe situation (examples):

Course to make good... (only use with message marker 'Advice')
Keep clear of...
Keep a safe distance of (XX miles/cables [from])
Navigate with caution...

Over

Monitor: Follow up with repeat of Warning, move to Advice / Instruction. Depending on severity, may go immediately to Advice / Instruction (no Question: what are your intentions?)

Managing Waterway (Incident) ▼

[Ship name] this is [VTS] Information: Vessel (Identity) is (aground / on fire) at (Position) Pollution reported (Position) Advice (Advise you): Pass at a safe distance, minimum wake; Stay clear of area (details); (other as appropriate) Over

Safety Broadcast (Navigation Warning) - Securité ▼

Securité, Securité, Securité All stations, all stations, all stations this is [VTS], [VTS], [VTS] [Navigation] Warning (Nature of Warning) Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in the area and proceed at a safe speed. [VTS] Out

To cancel: Can use Securité or an All Stations (All Ships) broadcast

Urgency (Pan Pan) ▼

PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN All stations, all stations, all stations this is [VTS], [VTS], [VTS] PAN PAN (Nature of urgency) (Fire reported at Berth Foxtrot, etc) [VTS] Over or Out, depending on the situation

Cancellation of Urgency (Pan Pan) ▼

PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN All stations, all stations, all stations this is [VTS], [VTS], [VTS] Cancel Urgency message of [UTC] Out

Acknowledgement of Distress MAYDAY ▼

MAYDAY [SHIP] this is [VTS] Received MAYDAY Over

Distress MAYDAY Relay ▼

MAYDAY Relay, MAYDAY Relay, MAYDAY Relay All stations, all stations, all stations this is [VTS], [VTS], [VTS] MAYDAY (Nature of distress) Over

Example: 011215 UTC F/V Sonny in position 4 NM. East of Buoy #1 reported holed and taking water.

Cancel Distress MAYDAY ▼

MAYDAY All stations, all stations, all stations this is [VTS], [VTS], [VTS] SEELONCE FEENEE Out