These existing tools serve to ensure a high level of safety and environmental protection, and therefore, VTS systems are not needed in all ports. In some ports, additional tools may be necessary to ensure an acceptable level of safety and environmental protection. These tools may include a VTS system. The specific needs of individual ports to ensure safe navigation may vary given port and waterway traffic characteristics. It is not the intention of dialog participants to invalidate existing navigation safety systems established by states, pilot associations, or other entities but rather to provide guidelines for the implementation of future VTS systems.
Every mariner has the responsibility to operate vessels in a safe manner.
In addition, the USCG has the statutory obligation to ensure the safety and environmental protection of U.S. ports and waterways. The USCG is the federal agency with primary responsibility for ensuring port safety and as such should play the leading role by ensuring that the mariners navigation information needs for safe passage are being met. Waterways users are seeking enhanced navigation capabilities that would be compatible with new VTS systems but that would also have utility beyond a VTS-covered area. These technologies provide a foundation for effective navigation safety, both within and outside areas where VTS systems are determined to be necessary. Dialog participants believe that national use of AIS technology on the greatest number of vessels is essential both as a foundation of a VTS system, where such a system is necessary, and as the basis for improving navigation safety.