the application of these developments to the maritime industry, 

 CAORF will be ready for full operation in July 1975. The facility is 

 expected to have widespread appeal to organizations and agencies 

 other than MarAd, e.g., the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, the 

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, American 

 Bureau of Shipping, Insurance Underwriters, shipping companies, 

 research organizations, and universities directly concerned with 

 maritime affairs. 



Vessel Traffic Safety 



A concern in port development is averting the hazard of ships 

 colliding in congested traffic lanes or running aground as the result 

 of poor traffic control. This risk is compounded by the increase in 

 size of bulk petroleum carriers and the consequently greater threat of 

 large-scale oil pollution. These problems, however, are being reduc- 

 ed by the introduction of vessel traffic systems in port waterways 

 and their approaches. 



The need for vessel traffic services and systems began to be 

 recognized in the late 1940's in limited port and waterway areas 

 where congestion and hazards were commonplace. Formal systems 

 were established in several European ports with an encouraging 

 reduction in accidents. In 1970, after two years in the development 

 stage, the Coast Guard opened an experimental harbor advisory 

 radar station in San Francisco Harbor, which led to the design and 

 development of an advanced system. This effort also produced a 

 means for acquiring operational data and for obtaining user reaction. 



The Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972 gave USCG the 

 responsibility for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of 

 vessel traffic systems in congested ports and waterways of the 

 United States. On August 22, 1972, the San Francisco vessel traffic 

 system assumed operational status, and in March 1973 a voluntary 

 traffic separation scheme became effective. The San Francisco 

 vessel traffic system is a voluntary vessel movement reporting 

 system combined with a traffic separation scheme and radar 

 surveillance. Vessels are furnished information on traffic congestion 

 by radio. Such information is particularly useful during periods of 

 reduced visibility. 



The Puget Sound Vessel Traffic System commissioned in late 1972 

 consists of a traffic separation scheme and a communications 

 network. Limited radar surveillance of the more congested traffic 

 area is planned for 1974, and expansion of the system into the Strait 

 of Juan de Fuca, as far west as Cape Flattery, is being discussed with 

 Canada. 



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