Russian VTMS in the Gulf of Finland continue to develop
Over the past few years a regional Vessel Traffic Management Information System has been created in the Russian Gulf of Finland. VTS currently covers the entire area with ground-based radars, satellite systems and TV cameras. However, in connection with the construction of ferry terminals of Marine Façade and the Western High Speed Diameter, there is a need to install in the city additional radar equipment, since the new objects can create interference to the existing radars. Besides, it is necessary to provide navigational support to the passenger ships bound for the Marine Façade.
Russia to establish new VTMS facilities in the Baltic
According to IMO classification, Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) can be coastal, port and regional. In late 2005 construction of a regional VTMS was completed near St. Petersburg. It includes coastal VTMS responsible for transit routes and approaches to all Russian ports in the Gulf of Finland and harbor VTMS of Big Port of St. Petersburg, Primorsk, Ust-Luga, Vyborg and Vysotsk. The RVTMS Center was formed on the basis of the historical Center Raskat, located in Peterhof near St. Petersburg, which receives all information from radio stations. VTMS operator’s work is similar to air traffic controllers – the only difference is that he moves a vessel along the sea canal. Operator’s error as well as in the case with aircraft, can lead to disastrous consequences, especially when it concerns escorting large oil tankers. Currently the Finland Gulf regional VTMS’s staff is 82 people, including highly skilled 39 operators who have extensive experience. The system is funded through dues from ships calling at ports, which is set by the Federal Tariff Service of Russia, but the services provided by the Coastal VTMS to ships are free.
Harbor of the Big Port of St. Petersburg, in addition to radar stations, is also controlled by video cameras. This information is also available for the Harbour Master’s service.
Moreover, in accordance with international memorandum dated 2001, signed by Russia, Finland and Estonia, there is Russian Center of GOFREP, a Mandatory Ship Reporting System organized and operating at the RVTMS. In accordance with the procedures of GOFREP, the Centers exchange information on traffic and control the area of international waters of the Gulf of Finland.
As Ivan Gotovchits, the Chief of RVTMS commented in an interview with PortNews, "the main purpose of creating RVTMS has been achieved - all area of the Russian Gulf of Finland is under control and all international treaties of the Russian Federation in terms of navigation safety are satisfied in full."
Nevertheless, active infrastructural development of St. Petersburg has the consequence that there is a need to improve and modernize existing facilities, the placement of additional posts and technical systems. Thus, the construction of Marine Façade makes it necessary to install additional posts to monitor the movement of passenger ships. If the plans of land reclamation near the Sea Façade are implemented, this would disturb the operating radars. The Western High Speed Diameter may also make interference with radar system, which will also require the installation of additional facilities. The problem is complicated by the fact that placing radar in a densely populated part of town – is not so easy in terms of getting approvals, as well on the islands of the Finland Gulf as in the Leningrad region. However, according to Ivan Gotovchits, modern technology can reduce the radiation from the radar to the level of mobile phone radiation.
In addition, the RVTMS plans include installation of an additional radar post on the border between the port areas of Vysotsk and Primorsk along Strait Berkezund, where there is still some "blind zone" for radar surveillance. As Ivan Gotovchits says, the new office will start operating in 2012. For these purposes the federal government set aside some 40 million rubles.
Russia to establish new VTMS facilities in the Baltic
According to IMO classification, Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) can be coastal, port and regional. In late 2005 construction of a regional VTMS was completed near St. Petersburg. It includes coastal VTMS responsible for transit routes and approaches to all Russian ports in the Gulf of Finland and harbor VTMS of Big Port of St. Petersburg, Primorsk, Ust-Luga, Vyborg and Vysotsk. The RVTMS Center was formed on the basis of the historical Center Raskat, located in Peterhof near St. Petersburg, which receives all information from radio stations. VTMS operator’s work is similar to air traffic controllers – the only difference is that he moves a vessel along the sea canal. Operator’s error as well as in the case with aircraft, can lead to disastrous consequences, especially when it concerns escorting large oil tankers. Currently the Finland Gulf regional VTMS’s staff is 82 people, including highly skilled 39 operators who have extensive experience. The system is funded through dues from ships calling at ports, which is set by the Federal Tariff Service of Russia, but the services provided by the Coastal VTMS to ships are free.
Harbor of the Big Port of St. Petersburg, in addition to radar stations, is also controlled by video cameras. This information is also available for the Harbour Master’s service.
Moreover, in accordance with international memorandum dated 2001, signed by Russia, Finland and Estonia, there is Russian Center of GOFREP, a Mandatory Ship Reporting System organized and operating at the RVTMS. In accordance with the procedures of GOFREP, the Centers exchange information on traffic and control the area of international waters of the Gulf of Finland.
As Ivan Gotovchits, the Chief of RVTMS commented in an interview with PortNews, "the main purpose of creating RVTMS has been achieved - all area of the Russian Gulf of Finland is under control and all international treaties of the Russian Federation in terms of navigation safety are satisfied in full."
Nevertheless, active infrastructural development of St. Petersburg has the consequence that there is a need to improve and modernize existing facilities, the placement of additional posts and technical systems. Thus, the construction of Marine Façade makes it necessary to install additional posts to monitor the movement of passenger ships. If the plans of land reclamation near the Sea Façade are implemented, this would disturb the operating radars. The Western High Speed Diameter may also make interference with radar system, which will also require the installation of additional facilities. The problem is complicated by the fact that placing radar in a densely populated part of town – is not so easy in terms of getting approvals, as well on the islands of the Finland Gulf as in the Leningrad region. However, according to Ivan Gotovchits, modern technology can reduce the radiation from the radar to the level of mobile phone radiation.
In addition, the RVTMS plans include installation of an additional radar post on the border between the port areas of Vysotsk and Primorsk along Strait Berkezund, where there is still some "blind zone" for radar surveillance. As Ivan Gotovchits says, the new office will start operating in 2012. For these purposes the federal government set aside some 40 million rubles.