UK: MCA Begins Consultation on Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has begun a consultation about updating a European directive, Establishing a Community Vessel Traffic Monitoring and information System. The directive was implemented in 2004 and resulted in a reporting system for ships to help prevent accidents and pollution at sea.

Because of advances in technology, changes in policy and the need to improve safety, the directive now needs to be updated. So the MCA is consulting on draft documents that it hopes will bring these measures into force in the UK, ultimately resulting in the directive being implemented into UK law.

The consultation documents are now on the MCA website.

The consultation will run from today (30 June) until 11 August. The MCA welcomes all views on implementing the measures and looks forward to receiving responses in writing during the consultation period.

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Source: MCA, July 1, 2011.