EFCA Servicedesk
EFCA Servicedesk
Email
servicedesk@efca.europa.eu
2.08 VMS
Agency responsible
Data group
02. Vessel Positions
Coast Guard Functions with access
Maritime Search and Rescue
Fisheries Inspection & Control
Status of implementation
Available
Dissemination channels
Agency web interface
Point(s) of contact
Last reviewed on
Last saved on
Description
The vessel monitoring system (VMS) is a satellite-based monitoring system which at regular intervals (i.e. every 2 hours) provides data to the fisheries authorities on the location, course and speed of vessels. This data allows monitoring behaviour of fishing vessels in real-time, in particular for control purposes.
Data elements
A standard North Atlantic Format (NAF) VMS message is composed of the following data elements:
- Internal Number (IR)
- Radio Call Sign (RC)
- Vessel name (NA)
- Flag State (FS)
- Time (TI) [Position Time UTC - hhmm]
- Date (DA) [Position Date - yymmdd]
- Latitude (LA) [Position Degrees and Minutes - Nddmm or Sddmm]
- Longitude (LO) [Position Degrees and Minutes Edddmm or Wddmm]
- Speed (SP) [Knots and tenths - kkt]
- Course (CO) [Degrees ddd]
Legal basis
Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 20093, as amended by regulation (EU) No 1380/2013(b). In particular, but not limited to article 9 (all EU fishing vessels of 12 metres overall or more shall be equipped).
Scope and source of data
At regular interval the VMS will transmit the vessel identification, date time and position accurate to 500 metres, and the instant speed/course of the vessel.
The VMS system is fully implemented and compulsory for EU vessels above 12 m LOA since 1 January 2012. Non-EU vessels of the same size are obliged to have an operational satellite tracking device installed on board whenever they are in Union waters. Without prejudice to specific provisions, EU and non-EU vessels as well as specific auxiliary vessels (i.e. BFT Tugs) can also be obliged to carry VMS in the framework of Regional Fisheries Management Organisation or national requirements.
The data is sourced from the vessel via the flag state and/or RFMO secretariat. The flag state is the owner of the data.
Technical implementation
The three general technical elements of a VMS are:
- Shipboard equipment: The electronic equipment installed on board a vessel is the fundamental requirement for the vessel to participate in a VMS programme. This equipment typically consists of some combination of antenna and transceiver, external power source and cabling. Collectively, this equipment is referred to as the VMS Unit. An integrated GPS in the unit calculates the position directly and include it in the position report. The unit’s course (heading) and speed may be calculated directly and transmitted along with the position report, or it may be calculated at the fishery monitoring centre software application, based on the time and distance between position reports.
- Communications systems: The communications system carries position reports and other messages from the Shipboard equipment - VMS , through space and surface lines, to the Fishery monitoring centre - VMS . The service providers used for the space segment in most fisheries VMS programmes are Argos, and Inmarsat-C and D+.
- Fishery Monitoring Centre (FMC): After data reports have been sent from a vessel’s Shipboard equipment - VMS and through the communications system, they are transmitted to the end user at the fishery monitoring centre (FMC). The transmission from the Communications systems - VMS typically is conducted over commercial data networks.
Conditions of access
Access to VMS is limited to relevant coastal and flag state fisheries control authorities. VMS shared during JDP campaigns coordinated by EFCA are available to all participating MS fisheries control authorities.
In addition, the sharing of VMS and the integration in the IMS, provides access to selected operational stakeholders from Frontex and/or EMSA.