Improving safety ofnavigation by implementing VTS/VTMIS: Experiences from montenegro

Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is a proven system for organizing maritime traffic in coastal areas. It enhances safety and efficiency of navigation, and contributes to the protection of marine environment. VTS services are mainly operated on national basis. The related requirements of individual countries and authorities vary widely. The specification activities of administrative and operational bodies with reference to VTS recently led to Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information Services (VTMIS), which comprises VTS and additional information services that are required for above mentioned purposes. In the first part of the paper are presented some aspects of implementation of VTMIS in Montenegro such as: intuitional and legal frameworks, human resources requirements, and system specification. Also, it is stated the importance of networking of national VTMIS services at regional (Adriatic and Mediterranean) as well as at EU level. In the second part of the paper some challenges in this domain will be touched, like: solid state radar employment, providing VTS/VTMIS compatibility with SafeSeaNet of the latest generation, including Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) ships system, etc. All these dimensions supporting safe, efficient and effective navigation will be considered with the purpose of ensuring excellence in navigation at the national, regional, and ultimately at the global level.