Kotka VTS Master s Guide 8.1.2013
2 Table of contents 1 PARTICIPATION IN VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES... 3 2 VTS-AREA... 3 3 REPORTING PROCEDURES... 3 3.1 Required reports:... 3 4 VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES PROVIDED... 4 5 AREAS WITH PASSING AND OVERTAKING PROHIBITIONS... 4 6 PILOTAGE... 4 6.1 Compulsory pilotage... 4 6.2 Pilotage order... 4 Contact: Gulf of Finland Vessel traffic Centre Katajanokanlaituri 4 B, K-6 00160 Helsinki Telephone: +358 20 448 5391 Fax: +358 20 448 5380 e-mail: supervisors.hki@liikennevirasto.fi VHF: ch. 67
3 1 Participation in vessel traffic services Vessels with an overall length of 24 metres or more are obliged to participate in the vessel traffic services by reporting to Kotka VTS, by listening to VHF channel 67 and by observing the provisions concerning traffic in the VTS area. The master must notify the VTS authority of the following events taking place in the VTS area or its vicinity: any incidents or accidents affecting the vessel s safety any incidents or accidents endangering the safety of navigation any circumstances that may cause pollution of waters or the coast any pollutant spills and containers or packages drifting in the sea The operational hours of Kotka VTS are 24 hours/day all year round. 2 VTS-area The VTS area covers all fairways for merchant shipping to the ports of Kotka and Hamina and Loviisa excluding the harbour areas.. Coordinates of the sector s basepoints: 1) 60º 12,5 N, 25º 41,2 E 2) 60º 05,6 N, 25º 43,0 E 3) 60º 10,3 N, 26º 39,0 E 4) 60º 12,1 N, 26º 45,9 E 5) 60º 12,0 N, 27º 17,6 E 6) The border between Finland and Russia See annex 1 for a map of the area. 3 Reporting procedures The working channel of Kotka VTS is VHF 67. Reports should include the following information: Name of the vessel Name of reporting point Destination Intended route. If an alternative route is selected, this must be reported. 3.1 Required reports: Vessels are required to report upon entry into the VTS area Vessels must report before leaving port or an anchorage. Vessels must report 10 minutes before entering Ruotsinsalmi Vessels must also report after anchoring and berthing
4 4 Vessel traffic services provided In the Kotka VTS area information, navigational assistance and traffic organization services are provided as follows: Information services are provided in all channel sections. Traffic organization in the channels in terms of passing and overtaking prohibitions as well as separation of traffic in terms of time or distance if the traffic situation so requires. Navigational assistance can be provided at open sea, from the open sea to the vicinity of pilot boarding places and to outer anchorages. The services provided by the VTS centres are described in more detail in the general description of the VTS operations. 5 Areas with passing and overtaking prohibitions In the Kotka VTS area there is a permanent passing and overtaking prohibition: 1. In Ruotsinsalmi, 6,1 m fairway between latitudes 60 27,4 N and 60 27, 95 N 2. In the Hamina 12 m fairway between latitudes 60º 26,2 N and 60º 27,4 N 6 Pilotage For enforcement referred to in the Pilotage Act, the VTS can enquire about the name of the master or the number of the Pilot Exemption Certificate/exemption. The vessel should be prepared to provide this information on request. 6.1 Compulsory pilotage Vessels must use a pilot on public fairways which are located in Finnish waters and the part of the Saimaa Canal leased by Finland and which have been defined as fairways requiring pilotage, if pilotage is required by the hazardous or harmful nature of the cargo or the size of the vessel. The Government Decree on Pilotage gives further provisions regarding the vessels for which pilotage is compulsory. 6.2 Pilotage order Pilot orders are placed at Finnpilot s Pilot Order Centre. E-mail: pilotorder.east@finnpilot.f Pilotage order form: www.pilotorder.fi. Telephone: +358 (0) 20754 6152, fax: +358 (0) 20754 6162
5 Kotka VTS Tolkkinen Tolkis PORVOON MAJAKKA KALBÅDAGRUND Liikennevirasto Loviisa Lovisa TIISKERI TAINIO KOTKAN MAJAKKA RODSER Hamina Fredrikshamn Kotka Ruotsinsalmi (10 min) SEVERNYJ GOGLANDSKIJ JUZNYJ GOGLANDSKIJ SEVERNYJ VIRGIN SOMMERS MOSCNYJ LINEJNYJ 2011-05-24 Kmky/MH