3 format, content of reports, times and geographical positions for submitting reports, authority to whom reports should be sent and available services
3.1 Format
3.1.1 The ship report to the VTS-Centre shall be drafted in accordance with the format shown in annex 1, appendix 1. The information requested from ships is derived from the Standard Reporting Format shown in paragraph 2 of the appendix to IMO resolution A.648(16).
3.2 Content
3.2.1 The report required from a ship entering the VTS area contains only information which is essential to achieve the objectives of the system, i.e.:
- the ship's name, call sign and position is needed for establishing the identity of the ship (letters A, B, C or D);
- the ship's course, speed, information as to whether a pilot is embarked and information about deficiencies are considered to be important pieces of information in order to be able to service the safe navigation of the ship (letters E, F, J, Q);
- the ship's route (Eastern or Western Channel), its deadweight tonnage and air draught are essential pieces of information for the efforts to protect the West Bridge (letters L, U).
3.3 Position for submitting reports
3.3.1 Ships shall submit their reports when entering the VTS area defined by the following reporting lines, which are also identical to the boundaries of the VTS area:
| Southbound ships: | When passing latitude 55°35' N. |
| Northbound ships: | When passing a line connecting the following points: |
| Stigsnæs: | 55°12.0' N, | 11°15.5' E (Gulf's Oil Pier); |
| Omø: | 55°08.4' N, | 11°09.2' E (Ørespids, Omø); |
| Hov: | 55°08.8' N, | 10°57.4' E (Hov Iso. Light); |
| Langeland W: | 55°00.0' N, | 10°48.8' E (South of Korsebølle Rev); |
| Thurø Rev: | 55°01.2' N, | 10°44.1' E (Thurø Rev Lightbuoy). |
3.4 Authority
3.4.1 The Danish Navy is the VTS authority responsible for the vessel traffic service in the "Great Belt Traffic" (GBT) area, its operation and training of its personnel.
3.5 Services offered
3.5.1 The GBT provides an information service to shipping in the area. The service is based on information from radar stations, electro-optic sensors, VHF bearings, radio reports from ships and Danish coastal radio stations and compilation of meteorological and hydrographical data.
3.5.2 Detected and identified ships are monitored by radar which does not release ship masters from their responsibility for the navigation of their ship.