Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)
Investments in the Port of London's Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) have been substantial in recent years - and the results have been clear to see, in safe, efficient and carefully co-ordinated vessel movements throughout the PLA's jurisdiction. Completely upgraded in 2004, PLA's VTS system is based on simplicity and effectiveness. It brings together the functions of port co-ordination and VTS at the Gravesend and Woolwich Port Control Centres, with flexibility and future-proofing remaining two of the top priorities. Resilience and reliability are also essential. In the unlikely event of a system failure, the PLA has the capability to switch all VTS functions as well as the port management information system, POLARIS, between its port control centres at Gravesend and Woolwich. In one of the most significant enhancements to safety on the River Thames, a new regime come into force in 2007 - "Thames AIS". Introduced in direct response to recommendations from the Thames Safety Inquiry, Thames AIS (Automatic Identification System) became mandatory in June 2007 for all passenger boats and reporting vessels throughout Central London. These amount to about 160 vessels, including commercial and public authority-operated craft. AIS was already compulsory for commercial shipping and had been successfully integrated into the SOFRELOG computer network on which the PLA's VTS is based. The next step was to develop a bespoke system for monitoring vessels navigating upriver of Greenwich, where buildings and bridges mean that radar is not an option. The Thames AIS was modelled on the international AIS specification, with unique enhancements including a geographical display and a system in which vessel operators electronically report the number of passengers on board. The result is that operators have a much better appreciation of other vessels in their immediate vicinity, reducing the likelihood of an accident. However, if there was an incident, emergency services would know exactly where to go and how many people were involved.
The PLA has 15 radars overseeing the river and estuary and is currently upgrading most of the upriver network. It is also working on the further development of its CCTV network, to link it more closely to the traffic image display system - making it easier to track moving targets via CCTV. Trials undertaken at the Cliffe and Northfleet radars have delivered very positive results and it is planned to incorporate this across the CCTV network. A state-of-the-art VTS simulator continues to play an important part in the PLA's in-house training and continuous professional development for staff. London is the only port that has such a sophisticated VTS simulator and its unique capabilities are used extensively in a heavy programme of maritime exercises and training. For full details of the services provided visit the World VTS Guide website (opens in a new window).
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