EMEA News
Falmouth Port Considers New Safety Measures
The UK Port of Falmouth is considering a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) system to improve safety in the area, local newspaper the Falmouth Packet reports.
Falmouth Harbour Commissioners (FHC) plan to commission a study to compare a VTS, which would offer navigation advice to ships in Falmouth Bay, with a requirement that ships in the bay use pilots.
Currently, all vessels over 180 meters, and any ship carrying dangerous or polluting cargoes, must take a pilot, but other ships are not subject to that requirement.
More than 1,000 vessels anchored in the bay in 2012, and most of them loaded bunkers at the port.
A 2008 study found that VTS was not required in the bay, but more recently a review led to a recommendation to install one.
"The potential provision of radar coverage for Falmouth Bay has been reviewed and it is now judged to be practical." said harbour master and chief executive Captain Mark Sansom.
"It is accepted that both of these options have strength and weaknesses as risk control measures.
"But it is not accepted that the obvious conclusion is to provide both services, adding substantially to the costs for users, unless this combination is required on strict safety grounds and after demonstrating that neither compulsory pilotage nor VTS can provide a satisfactory level of safety on its own."
The International Maritime Organisation says that states and governments should establish VTS systems, which can offer simple information on traffic and weather or provide more extensive traffic management support, when they believe traffic volume and risks justify their use.
