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With the 2018 boating season now underway, the Island’s Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is sending out a timely reminder to mariners to abide by the ‘traffic light’ system, which controls watercraft movement in and out of St Helier Harbour.
St Helier VTS is responsible for the safe movement of all leisure and commercial shipping within its controlled waters and to facilitate this operates a ‘Traffic Organisation Service’ (TOS). This helps with the operational management of traffic as well as the forward planning of vessel movements to prevent congestion and dangerous situations. It is particularly relevant during times of high traffic density and the movement of special transports, which may affect the flow of other traffic.
The management of all traffic passing through the pier heads in St Helier Harbour area must be strictly controlled, allowing for the safe movement of commercial and pleasure craft, especially at peak shipping times. To assist with this the port is controlled using red and green traffic control lights located at the Victoria Pier heads below the VTS Tower.
Jersey Coastguard and VTS Manager, Aaron Gavey, explains, “’Whilst our primary role is to manage the safe movement of vessels in and out of the port, we try and remain as pragmatic as possible with our use of the traffic lights; conscious of the delays to craft that can occur and the inconvenience this may cause other harbour users. This is why it is important that mariners monitor and adhere to the light sequences and make an effort to stop when they are turned red. Furthermore, by keeping a listening watch on VHF Channel 14 within the VTS area, mariners will also be provided with regular broadcasts detailing shipping movements, weather and tidal conditions and relevant safety and navigational information on an hourly basis with increased updates during poor visibility, and at times of busy traffic movements.”
