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

Purchase

(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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.