PCG plans to set up vessel monitoring stations

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is planning to set up at least three vessel traffic monitoring system (VTMS) stations by next year to speed up its response to maritime distress calls.

PCG vice commandant for operations Rear Admiral Luis Tuason Jr. yesterday said VTMS stations may be put up north of Tablas Island and in Sibuyan Island in Romblon as well as in the northern part of Iloilo.

He said the locations are good vantage points for monitoring maritime traffic. But he stressed Japanese experts would still have to survey the areas.

The project would be funded by grants from the Japanese government.

He said the VTMS stations should be located on elevated ground so that they would have coverage of at least 30 to 35 nautical miles. 

Currently, the country only has one VTMS, which is being operated by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and is located in Corregidor.

Tuazon explained that the VTMS of the PPA is used chiefly to monitor vessels approaching ports and harbors, while the VTMS being readied by the PCG would be utilized primarily to detect cruising vessels.

“Our concern would be to render quick response…The VTMS would be used to monitor the flow and volume of traffic,” Tuason said.

He explained that VTMS would help them identify a vessel, its type, speed, direction, number of crew and other pertinent information.

Such details are vital during search and rescue operations, he added.