INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION

E
IMO

SUB-COMMITTEE ON SAFETY OF NAV 54/3/4

NAVIGATION 27 March 2008
54th session Original: ENGLISH
Agenda item 3

SHIPS REPORTING SYSTEM

Implementation of a Mandatory Ship Reporting System Off the Coast of Portugal

COPREP

Submitted by Portugal

Executive summary:
Strategic direction:
High-level action:
Planned output:
Action to be taken:
Related documents:
SUMMARY
Portugal submits, for consideration and approval, a proposal to
implement a mandatory ship reporting system in the maritime
geographic zone Off the Coast of Portugal COPREP
5.1; 5.2
5.1.3; 5.2.4
5.2.4.1
Paragraph 16
MSC.190(79), NAV 50/3/8, NAV 50/3/9; MSC 79/23/Add.2/Annex 28
and Annex 29; and resolution A.851(20)

Introduction

1 In December 2004, the Maritime Safety Committee in its seventy-ninth session approved
amendments to the traffic separation schemes off Portugal (MSC 79/23/Add.2/Annex 28 and
Annex 29), in order to ensure the smooth flow of traffic, aligning the traffic lanes with those of
the TSS Off Finisterre. Furthermore, the TSS Off Berlenga was revoked because it was
then considered as unnecessary; nevertheless, an Area to be Avoided was created, having the
same limits of the previously existing Inshore Traffic Zone, thus contributing to protect the
greatly sensitive environment around the Berlenga Island.

2 The Portuguese Government wishes to express its concern with the safety of navigation
as maritime traffic flow along the Portuguese coast and the number of vessels calling Portuguese
ports has continuously increased in the last years.

The following table, which reflects only the maritime traffic that called Portuguese ports, is
hereby included in support of the above statement:

For reasons of economy, this document is printed in a limited number. Delegates are
kindly asked to bring their copies to meetings and not to request additional copies.

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Year Gross tonnage (T)

2001 91,146,566
2002 92,941,337
2003 95,335,638
2004 96,083,944
2005 104,488,937
2006 108,250,601

3 Weather conditions in the area are also a concern in matters of safety of navigation.
As shown in annex 2 (tables 1 to 4), visibility often degrades and may have values of less
than 2 nautical miles for significant periods of time, especially during summer time.

Systematic collection of data shows that strong winds often occur along the Portuguese coast
(see annex 2 table 5), which also has an impact on sea and swell values as well (see annex 2
figures 1 to 3).

4 The TSSs off Portugal lie within the Western European Particularly Sensitive Sea Area,
where special measures covered in Annex 1 to MARPOL 71/78 apply, as recognized in
resolution MSC.190(79).

5 The Government of Portugal considers it of utmost importance that appropriate measures

are taken to improve the conditions and available assistance to navigate in Portuguese waters or
calling in Portuguese ports and to contribute for the prevention of environmental disasters that
may result from shipping activity.

Background

6 As from 2nd January, 2008, a Vessel Traffic Service has been established covering the
Portuguese Iberian coast, including the major ports, with the purpose of contributing to safety of
navigation, environmental protection and traffic management improvement.

7 The new Portuguese Traffic Control Service assure the necessary functionalities of
coastal traffic monitoring allowing a complete articulation with Port VTS in all Portuguese
continental commercial ports.

8 With this system Portugal starts to operate an integrated system for maritime coastal
monitoring, essential in the Portuguese and European socio-economic context. This system
means a big qualitative improvement in the adequacy of maritime infrastructures to the
Portuguese and European necessities and it is essential part for the security and modal balance
defined by the communitarian directives of transports.

9 The adequate and effective monitoring of the maritime activity in the Portuguese
continental coast waters is assumed as an essential element for the Portuguese and European
economy, presenting a significant set of political and social impacts based on its historical
importance in the countrys development:

the fishing sector represents an important segment of employment and economical

resources;

the protection of the coast and environment quality is essential for tourism sector,
strategic in economic and social terms for Portugal;

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the implementation of new offshore structures dedicated to alternative supply of

energy (wind and wave driven) as well as new fish farms are important measures
for the development of Portuguese economy;

the accessibility of the Portuguese products to the European and international

markets is crucial for the development of the Portuguese industry and commerce;
and

the control and supervision of the Portuguese coast is fundamental to guarantee

the implementation of European and international directives and for protection of
political, social and environmental interests.

10 The Portuguese VTS is equipped with a range of sensors such as radar, AIS and VHF
direction finding systems, weather monitoring stations, as well as a full and redundant radio
communication capability, all linked in a robust network, which together with the previously
existing DGPS, fully operational since December 2003, enable ship monitoring and safety of
navigation assistance, aiding the prevention of ship casualties while enabling robust position
fixing.

Action to be taken

11 For these reasons, Portugal proposes the implementation of an area with a mandatory
Ship Reporting System covering the well documented navigational choke points in its coast,
TSSs and ATBA, to further enhance safety of navigation and protect the marine environment
along Portuguese waters, in any traffic or weather conditions, taking full advantage of the
Portuguese VTS capabilities.

12 The mandatory Ship Reporting System, covering the existing areas of the traffic
separation schemes (TSS) and the area to be avoided (ATBA) around Berlenga Island, create
single points of reporting which contribute to minimize vessels reporting procedures and the
allied operation of ports and other related entities.

13 In view of existing adjacent Ship Reporting Systems (FINREP and GIBREP), long
established, in which the nature of the collected data meets the objectives of the now proposed
Portuguese system, this proposal intends to give a sense of continuity to mariners, maintaining
the same categories of ships required to participate in the system, as well as the nature of the
reports required.

14 The areas of the proposed Ship Reporting Systems are covered by Portuguese official
paper charts of adequate scale for coastal navigation (1/150000) and by Electronic Navigational
Charts (S/57 edition 3), which are based on recent hydrographic surveys conducted in
accordance with the International Hydrographic Organization rules and procedures.

15 Full characterization of the proposed Ship Reporting System is done in annex 1.

Action requested of the Sub-Committee

16 The Sub-Committee is requested to:

.1 approve the proposal of implementing a Mandatory Ship Reporting System Off

the Coast of Portugal COPREP; and

.2 submit it to the Maritime Safety Committee for adoption, and to enter into force
six months later.
***
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ANNEX 1

DRAFT RESOLUTION MSC.[..](85)

(adopted on (.) December 2008)

ADOPTION OF THE NEW MANDATORY SHIP REPORTING SYSTEM

OFF THE COAST OF PORTUGAL COPREP

THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,

RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization

concerning the functions of the Committee,

RECALLING ALSO regulation V/11 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at
Sea, 1974 (SOLAS Convention), in relation to the adoption of ship reporting systems by the
Organization,

RECALLING FURTHER resolution A.858(20) resolving that the function of adopting ship
reporting systems shall be performed by the Committee on behalf of the Organization,

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the guidelines and criteria for ship reporting systems adopted by
resolution MSC.43(64), as amended by resolutions MSC.111(73) and MSC.189(79),

HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendations of the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation

at its [fifty-fourth session],

1. ADOPTS, in accordance with SOLAS regulation V/11, the new mandatory ship reporting
system Off the coast of Portugal COPREP;

2. DECIDES that the mandatory ship reporting system, COPREP, will enter into force
at [0000] hours UTC on [. 2009]; and

3. REQUESTS the Secretary-General to bring this resolution and its Annex to the attention
of the Member Governments and SOLAS Contracting Governments to the 1974 SOLAS
Convention.

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ANNEX

PROPOSAL FOR ADOPTION OF A MANDATORY SHIP REPORTING SYSTEM OFF

THE COAST OF PORTUGAL COPREP

1 Objectives

Portugal has recently implemented a Maritime Traffic Control System (VTS) covering
the entire Portuguese continental coast based on a modern information system,
monitoring and management of the maritime traffic in Portugal.

The establishment of a mandatory ship reporting system in the maritime geographic zone
covering the existing area to be avoided (ATBA) around Berlenga Island, and the existing
traffic separation schemes (TSS) Off Cape Roca and Off Cape S. Vicente,
provides an important protection to the safety of navigation as maritime traffic flow along
the Portuguese coast and the number of vessels practicing Portuguese ports has
continuously increased in the last years.

Communication between shore-based authorities and ships in this area will minimize the
risk of collision damage to ships as well as provide beneficial information to ships.

2 Categories of ships required to participate in the system

The following vessels are required to participate in COPREP System:

(a) all vessels of 300 GT or above;

(b) all vessels carrying dangerous, hazardous and/or potentially polluting cargo;

(c) all passenger vessels;

(d) vessels engaged in towing or pushing where the combined length of the vessel and
tow or pushed vessel is more than 100 m LOA;

(e) fishing vessels with an LOA of 24 m or above; and

(f) any other type of vessel is invited to voluntarily participate in the System.

3 Hydrographical and meteorological elements

As shown in annex 2 (tables 1 to 4), visibility often degrades and may have values of less
than 2 nautical miles for significant periods of time, especially during summer time.

Systematic collection of data shows that strong winds often occur along the Portuguese
coast (see annex 2 table 5), which also has an impact on sea and swell values as well
(see annex 2 figures 1 to 3).

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4 Geographical coverage of the proposed systems and the number and edition of the
reference chart used for delineation of the system

4.1 Geographical coverage of the proposed systems

The Ship Reporting System area is bounded by the shore and:

a) In the North: latitude 39 45 N

b) In the West and South: By a line joining the following positions:

i) 39 45 N
010 14 W

ii) 38 41 N
01014 W

iii) 36 30 N
009 35 W

iv) 36 15 N
008 30 W

c) In the East: longitude 008 30 W

4.2 Reference chart

The reference chart is Cabo Finisterra a Casablanca, Number 21101, Catalogue of

Nautical Charts of the Portuguese Hydrographic Office, 4th impression April 2002
(Note: This chart is based on WGS 84 Datum).

5 Reports and Procedures (Format and content of reports, authority to which reports
should be sent)

5.1 Format

The format of information required in the COPREP reports is derived from the format
given in resolution A.851(20) General Principles for Ship Reporting Systems and
Reporting Requirements.

5.2 Content

Vessels required to participate in the System shall make a report, with the short title
COPREP, to Roca Control and shall contain the following information, which is
considered essential for the purpose of the System:

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DESIGNATOR INFORMATION REQUIRED

A Vessels name and callsign.
IMO identification or MMSI number on request.
C Position (Latitude Longitude), or
D Distance and bearing from a landmark.
E True course in a three(3)-digit group
F Speed in knots
G Last port of call.

H Time (UTC) and point of entry in the reporting sector

I Next port of call and ETA.
P Hazardous cargo, IMO class or UN number and quantity.
Q or R Breakdown, damage and/or deficiencies affecting, the
structure, cargo or equipment of the vessel or any other
circumstances affecting normal navigation, in accordance
with the provisions of the SOLAS and MARPOL
Conventions.
U Ships type and lengths
W Total number of persons on board (when requested)
X Miscellaneous remarks (when requested)

Any vessel may elect, for reasons of commercial confidentiality, to communicate the
information regarding cargo (designator P of the report), by non-verbal means prior to
entering the System.

5.3 Time and geographical position for submitting reports

Ships must submit a report:

(a) on entering the reporting area as defined in paragraph 4.1; or

(b) immediately after leaving a port, terminal or anchorage situated in the reporting
area; or

(c) when deviating from the route leading to the originally declared destination, port,
terminal, anchorage or position for orders given on entry into the reporting area;
or

(d) when it is necessary to deviate from the planned route owing to weather
conditions, damaged equipment or a change in navigational status; or

(e) when it is detected something that could affect safety of navigation in the area; or

(f) on finally leaving the reporting area; or

(g) when requested by COPREP operator.

5.4 Shore-based authority

The shore-based authority for COPREP mandatory ship reporting system, to which these
reports should be sent, is ROCA CONTROL (identified in paragraph 7).
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6 Information to be provided to the participating ship and the procedures to be

followed:

ROCA CONTROL is an information service. Vessels are provided with information

broadcasts on weather, hazards affecting the safety of navigation and other traffic in the
area.

These broadcasts include:

(a) traffic information;

(b) hampered vessels such as vessels not under command or vessels restricted in their
ability to manoeuvre;

(c) adverse weather conditions;

(d) weather warnings and forecast;

(e) displaced or defective aids to navigation;

(f) radar assistance; and

(g) information on local harbours.

Information is broadcast on request or whenever necessary. Information broadcasts on

ROCA CONTROL VHF main channel are preceded by an announcement on VHF
channel 16. Information may be more frequent in occasions of adverse weather
conditions, reduced visibility and eminent incident or accident.

The VTS centre is linked to MRCC LISBON and pollution control authorities in order to
allow a prompt response to any emerging distress or urgent situation.

7 Communication requirements for the system, including frequencies on which

reports should be transmitted and information to be reported:

The communications required for the COPREP are as follows:

(a) The call to the shore-based authority shall be made on the VHF channel assigned
to Vessel Traffic Service in the Portuguese Coast, or by the other available means
based on the following contact information:

CALL: Roca Control

TELEPHONE: 351-214464830
FAX: 351-214464839
E-mail: oper.vts@imarpor.pt
VHF CHANNELS
Primary channels: 69 and 79 Secondary channel: 77
CALL SIGN: CSG229
MMSI: 00 263 3030

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(b) The language used for communication shall be Portuguese or English, using the
IMO Standard Marine Communications Phrases where necessary.

(c) Information of commercial confidentiality may be transmitted by non-verbal

means.

8 Rules and regulations in force in the area of the proposed system

Portugal has taken appropriate action to implement international conventions to which it

is a party including, where appropriate, adopting domestic legislation and promulgating
regulations through domestic law. Relevant laws in force include domestic legislation and
international regulations such as:

(a) International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG), 1972, as

amended;

(b) Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), 1974;

(c) International Convention on the Prevention of Pollution from Ships

(MARPOL)73/78; and

(d) Directive 2002/59/CE.

9 Shore-based facilities and personnel qualifications and training required to support

the operation of the proposed system

9.1 Shore-based facilities

ROCA CONTROL maintains a continuous 24 hour watch over COPREP area. The
facilities of the Roca Control are the following:

(a) 8 Coastal Radars:

(i) Long range SCANTER primary radars

(ii) Focus of long distance sea side coverage

(iii) Special high gain 21 antennas

(iv) Surveillance of all the continental Portuguese coast

(v) Video from selected radar and combined radar data available to main
centres VTS operator;

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(b) 8 Harbour Radars:

(i) Short range primary radars (for 3 of those)

(ii) Surveillance of the harbours approach area (for 5 of those)

(iii) Video from selected radar and combined radar data available to main
centres VTS operator;

(c) 11 AIS Sites:

(i) Automatic identification of ships

IMO standards

3 types of information: ship static, dynamic and voyage

(ii) Based on GPS positioning

(iii) AIS position data merged with radar data at operator display (TDS)

(iv) Ship identification correlated with National Maritime Ship Database;

(d) 11 Voice Radio Communication Sites:

(i) VHF voice radio communication with ships and aeronautical emergency
channel

(ii) Complete coverage of Continental Portuguese Coast

(iii) VTS operators are able to communicate within the coverage area

(iv) Telephone and electronic communication between harbours and VTS

control centres;

(e) 11 VHF Direction Finder Sites:

(i) Azimuthing of radio communication

(ii) Complete coverage of Continental Portuguese Coast

(iii) Data from all sites available for the VTS operators

(iv) RDF data is present on operator displays (TDS);

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(f) 6 Meteorological Sites with:

(i) Anemometer, Thermometer, Barometer, Hygrometer, Rainfall indicator,

Visibility sensors

(ii) Meteorological data of all sites will be presented to the VTS operators.

9.2 Personnel qualifications and training

The training given to ROCA CONTROL staff complies with the national and
international recommendations and include a general study of navigational safety
measures and the relevant national and international (IMO) provisions/requirements to
support the operation of the proposed system.

10 Alternative procedures if the communication facilities of the shore-based authority

fail

The system is designed to avoid, as far as possible, any irretrievable breakdown of

equipment which would hinder the functioning of the services normally provided by
ROCA CONTROL.

The most important items of equipment and power sources are duplicated and the
facilities are provided with emergency generating sets as well as with Uninterruptible
Power Supply (UPS) units. A maintenance team is available 24 hours a day to attend to
any breakdown.

The system is also designed in such a manner that if one station fails, the adjacent station
can provide the necessary coverage.

11 Actions to take in the event of emergency or ships non-compliance with the system
requirements

The main objectives of the system are to improve vessel safety in of the Portuguese coast
waters, support the organization of search and rescue and protect and improve the marine
environment in the coast, developing the actions as fast and effective as possible if an
emergency is reported or a report from a ship fails to appear, and it is impossible to
establish communication with the ship. All means will be used to obtain the full
participation of ships required to submit reports.

The mandatory ship reporting system COPREP is for the exchange of information only
and does not provide any additional authority for mandating changes in the vessels
operations. This reporting system will be implemented consistent with UNCLOS, SOLAS
and other relevant international instruments so that the reporting system will not
constitute a basis for preventing the passage of a ship through the reporting area.

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Infringements of these regulations shall be punishable under Portuguese law, or reported

to the ships flag State in accordance with IMO resolution A.432(XI) Compliance with
the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as
amended.

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CHARTLET

AREA OF SRS OFF THE COAST OF PORTUGAL COPREP

***

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ANNEX 2

METEOROLOGYCAL AND OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA (1961-1990)

Local Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Cape Carvoeiro 0,00 1,18 1,51 0,44 0,43 1,56 3,87 2,16 5,57 0,86 0,67 0,43 1,55
Cape da Roca 1,29 3,07 2,58 1,33 1,94 4,89 6,67 3,88 4,22 2,15 1,56 1,72 2,94
Cape S. Vicente 0,00 0,76 0,46 0,00 0,46 0,71 1,62 1,86 1,90 0,92 0,00 0,00 0,72
TABLE 1 Frequency of occurrences of visibility less than 2 nautical miles (%) at 00 UTC

Local Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Cape Carvoeiro 1,51 2,83 2,15 2,44 3,23 8,67 14,62 13,55 19,11 6,02 3,11 1,08 6,54
Cape da Roca 5,16 8,96 10,54 8,44 11,83 22,44 28,02 18,06 22,32 9,54 7,78 6,24 13,29
Cape S. Vicente 1,15 2,27 3,23 1,90 1,85 7,66 9,81 9,74 8,81 2,53 2,38 3,00 4,53
TABLE 2 Frequency of occurrences of visibility less than 2 nautical miles (%) at 09 UTC

Local Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Cape Carvoeiro 0,65 2,12 1,51 1,56 2,59 5,78 8,39 6,47 9,13 2,15 1,33 0,65 3,53
Cape da Roca 4,52 8,25 8,39 6,22 7,10 14,00 17,63 12,28 16,00 6,24 6,00 8,39 9,58
Cape S. Vicente 0,69 1,52 1,38 1,19 2,31 3,81 3,70 4,18 3,81 2,30 0,71 0,69 2,19
TABLE 3 Frequency of occurrences of visibility less than 2 nautical miles (%) at 12 UTC

Local Period Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
ATBA
1961-90 0,9 1,3 1,2 1,3 1,9 3,3 5,1 6,3 8,1 3,6 0,8 0,8 34,6
Berlenga
Cape Roca 1961-90 3,2 3,1 3,2 2,5 3,6 6,1 8,2 7,6 7,4 4,7 1,7 2,5 53,8
TABLE 4 Average number of days with fog

Aver
Local N NE E SE S SW W NW Calm
speed
- F S F S F S F S F S F S F S F S C (km/h)
Cape
39,6 19,1 12,2 16,1 4,7 14,2 6,3 17,5 13,1 16,9 5,8 14,2 10,7 15,7 7,6 15,2 0,1 18,3
Carvoeiro
Cape
23,3 15,5 8,5 12,4 4,4 14,0 13,3 19,7 7,0 20,5 7,6 19,4 5,8 19,6 28,3 15,8 1,7 16,0
Roca
Cape S.
30,3 23,0 4,4 13,2 9,9 18,0 2,4 17,9 3,3 17,7 5,5 18,6 6,6 17,0 20,2 20,0 17,3
Vicente
TABLE 5 Wind
Frequency per quadrant (%) and average speed (km/h)

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(1961 1990)
___________

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