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GOFREP Master's Reporting Guide

The document provides guidance for ships on reporting procedures and requirements for the Gulf of Finland Mandatory Ship Reporting System (GOFREP). It outlines what ships must report, including full reports upon entering the area and short reports when crossing designated lines. It also specifies the VHF channels and contact information for the three Traffic Centers monitoring the Gulf of Finland in Finland, Estonia and Russia.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
11 views9 pages

GOFREP Master's Reporting Guide

The document provides guidance for ships on reporting procedures and requirements for the Gulf of Finland Mandatory Ship Reporting System (GOFREP). It outlines what ships must report, including full reports upon entering the area and short reports when crossing designated lines. It also specifies the VHF channels and contact information for the three Traffic Centers monitoring the Gulf of Finland in Finland, Estonia and Russia.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

VEETEEDE AMET

ESTONIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION

27 December 2010

GOFREP
Master’s Guide
2 (8)

Contents
1 GOFREP IN GENERAL............................................................................................................................................................ 3 
1.1 Categories of ships required to participate................................................................................................................ 3 
1.2 Information provided ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 
1.3 Violations ......................................................................................................................................................................... 3 

2 HOW TO REPORT ................................................................................................................................................................... 4 


2.1 VHF channels: .................................................................................................................................................................. 4 
2.2 AIS ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 

3 WHEN AND WHAT TO REPORT ........................................................................................................................................... 5 


3.1 Full Report ........................................................................................................................................................................ 5 
3.2 Short Report ....................................................................................................................................................................6 

4 REPORTING LINES (all positions in WGS84) ................................................................................................................... 7 

Appendix 1 MAP OF THE AREA

Contact information
Helsinki Traffic:

Telephone: +358 (0)204 48 5387 or +358 (0)204 48 5388

E-mail: gofrep@[Link] Fax: +358(0)204 48 5394 VHF: 60 (80)

Tallinn Traffic:

Telephone: +372 6 205 764 or +372 6 205 777

E-mail: gofrep@[Link] Fax: +372 620 5766 VHF: 61 (81)

St. Petersburg Traffic:

Telephone: +7 12 380 70 21 or +7 812 380 70 81

E-mail: gofrep@[Link] Fax: +7 812 380 70 20 VHF: 74 (10)


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1 GOFREP in general

GOFREP is a Mandatory Ship Reporting System, adopted by the IMO (MSC.139 (76) and MSC.231 (82)), in
accordance with SOLAS Regulation V/11.

The sea areas in the Gulf of Finland are monitored jointly by Finland, Estonia and the Russian Federation.

The Traffic Centres monitor shipping by radar and AIS and provide 24 h information service in the Gulf of
Finland

1.1 Categories of ships required to participate

Ships of 300 gross tonnage and over are required to participate in the mandatory ship reporting system.

Ships under 300 gross tonnage are required to report in circumstances where they:
a) are not under command
b) are at anchor in the TSS
c) are restricted in their ability to manoeuvre; or
d) have defective navigational aids.

Ships under 300 gross tonnage are encouraged to listen to the relevant VHF-traffic channel

1.2 Information provided

GOFREP is an information service. The Traffic Centres provide shipping information related to the safety of
navigation, for instance navigational warnings and information about traffic, weather or ice conditions.

During the period when the Gulf of Finland is covered by ice, ships reporting to the traffic centres will receive
information on the recommended route through the ice as well as the name of the icebreaker and its working
channel.

During difficult ice conditions the traffic separation schemes in the Gulf of Finland, or parts of these schemes,
may be temporarily withdrawn. Information about the decision is given in daily ice reports and navigational
warnings.

1.3 Violations
Vessels failing to report in accordance with the reporting requirements, that are neglecting the carriage
requirements of AIS according to SOLAS chapter V(19) or are violating the COLREGs, are reported to the
relevant flag state.
4 (8)

2 How to report
2.1 VHF channels:

Helsinki Traffic
ƒ Ch. 60 working channel
ƒ Ch. 80 alternative channel

Tallinn Traffic
ƒ Ch. 61 working channel
ƒ Ch. 81 alternative channel

St. Petersburg Traffic


ƒ Ch. 74 working channel
ƒ Ch. 10 alternative channel

Vessels report to the Traffic Centre whose area they are entering.
The language used for communication shall be English, using the IMO Standard Marine
Communication Phrases, where necessary.

Ships are required to maintain a continuous listening watch on the appropriate traffic channel as long as
they are navigating in the GOFREP monitoring area.

2.2 AIS

Vessels are requested to ensure that their AIS information is updated before entering the
GOFREP area, since they may partly fulfil reporting requirements through the use of AIS.
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3 When and what to report

Designators used in the Gulf of Finland Mandatory Ship Reporting System

A Vessel’s name, call sign and IMO identification. MMSI may be reported.
C Geographical position by two 6 digit groups; or
D bearing and distance in nautical miles from a clearly identified landmark
E True course in three (3) digit groups
F Speed in knots with one decimal
H Time (UTC) and point of entry into the reporting area
I Destination and ETA
O Vessel’s present draught in metres with one decimal
P Hazardous cargo onboard, IMO main classes and quantity in metric tonnes
with up to two decimals.
The quantity in classes 1 and 7, if any, shall be reported separately.
Q Brief details of defects or restrictions of manoeuvrability
R Description of pollution or dangerous goods lost overboard
T Contact information of agent in the Gulf of Finland
U Vessel type and length
W Total number of persons onboard
X Characteristics and estimated quantity of bunker fuel for ships carrying more
than 5,000 tons of bunkers and navigational status.

A Full Report is given on departure from the ports in the Gulf of Finland or at the latest when entering the
GOFREP area.

A Short Report is given to the Traffic Centre when entering its area every time vessel is crossing the
reporting line.

Vessels are required to inform the Traffic Centre when there is a change in the vessel’s navigational status.

Vessels in a convoy led by an icebreaker or receiving direct assistance from an icebreaker are not required to
submit a Short Report when they cross the reporting lines. The icebreakers report the names of the vessels
which they are assisting and the relevant VHF working channel.

It is not necessary to report to the Traffic Centre whose area the ship is leaving.

3.1 Full Report

A Full Report is given on departure from the ports in the Gulf of Finland or at the latest when entering the
GOFREP area.

A Full Report consists of designators A, C or D, E, I, O, P, T, U, W and X. Vessels may additionally be


requested to report designators F or H.

Most of the information for the Full Report can be collected from the AIS information.
6 (8)

Ships are encouraged to give their Full Report in advance by nonverbal means (e-mail or telefax).
Information can also be given by verbal means (VHF) when entering the traffic area.

A Full Report given by nonverbal means should at least consist of the following designators:
A, I, O, P and W.

Example of a nonverbal Full Report:

Name of ship: M/S Example


Call sign: OIOI
Destination: Helsinki
ETA: 01.01.2011/0100 UTC
Draught: 8.3 meters
Dangerous Cargo: IMO cl. 3, 5 and 8, total 55.5 mtons.
IMO cl. 1.4S, total 0.5 mtons
Persons onboard: 12

Example of a verbal Full Report:

The AIS is operational and updated with correct information.

Information given by VHF:

Name of ship: M/S Example


Dangerous Cargo: IMO cl. 3, 5 and 8, total 55.5 mtons.
IMO cl. 1.4S, total 0.5 mtons
Persons onboard: 12

3.2 Short Report

The ship has to give a Short Report to the Traffic Centre when entering its area every time it is crossing the
reporting line.

Short Report is always reported verbally on VHF to ensure that the ship is listening to the correct VHF
channel

It is not necessary to report to the Traffic Centre whose area the ship is leaving.

A Short Report consists of the following information: Name of ship and the present reporting line.

Example of a Short Report:

M/S Example entering the area at the Central Reporting Line.


7 (8)

4 Reporting lines
(all positions in WGS84)

Western Reporting Line:

The Western Reporting Line is drawn from

1) Bengtskär L/H (59º 43.4' N 022º 30.1' E) to


2) 59° 33.3' N 022° 30.0' E to
3) 59° 10.0' N 021° 30.0' E to
4) Kõpu Peninsula.

Western part of the Central Reporting Line:

The western part of the Central Reporting Line is drawn through the midpoints of the separation zones of the
traffic separation schemes off Kõpu, Hankoniemi Peninsula, Porkkala and Kalbådagrund to position
59° 59', 15 N 026° 30', 00 E

Geographical points:

1) 59°05,88' N 021°40,08' E 10) 59°45,91' N 024°31,43' E


2) 59°07,59' N 021°42,44' E 11) 59°46,50' N 024°35,76' E
3) 59°11,49' N 021°51,92' E 12) 59°49,97' N 025°06,87' E
4) 59°24,51' N 022°24,80' E 13) 59°50,41' N 025°10,76' E
5) 59°28,01' N 022°33,80' E 14) 59°52,84' N 025°39,90' E
6) 59°30,01' N 022°44,80' E 15) 59°53,33' N 025°45,79' E
7) 59°43,85' N 024°17,97' E 16) 59°54,28' N 025°51,46' E
8) 59°44,42' N 024°21,78' E 17) 59°59,15' N 026°30,00' E
9) 59°45,21' N 024°28,81' E

Eastern part of the Central Reporting Line:

The eastern part of the Central Reporting Line is drawn from the point

1) 59°57,00' N 026°30,00' E to 4) 60°10,30'N 027°10,90'E to


2) 60°05,00' N 026°30,00' E 5) 60°12,00’N 027°17,60'E.
3) 60°08,90' N 026°49,00' E.

In the area between points 2) and 3) the line follows the borderline of the Russian territorial sea and the
outer limits of the Finnish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

In the area between points 3) and 4) the line follows the limits of the EEZ of Finland and the EEZ of Russia.
8 (8)

National reporting lines:

Outer limits of Finnish national VTS areas:

1) 59º 44,45' N 022º 50,20' E 7) 59° 59,50' N 025° 44,50' E


2) 59º 40,50' N 022º 50,20' E 8) 60° 05,60' N 025° 43,00' E
3) 59º 40,50' N 023º 22'.30' E 9) 60° 10,30' N 026° 39,00' E
4) 59º 42,00' N 023º 33'.00' E 10) 60° 12,10' N 026° 45,90' E
5) 59° 55,50' N 024° 43,50' E 11) 60° 12,00' N 027° 17,60' E
6) 59º 58,20' N 025º 20,00' E 12) Borderline of Finnish and Russian territorial sea

Reporting line between St. Petersburg Traffic and Tallinn Traffic

1) 59º28,00' N 028º03,00' E 3) 59º46,00' N 026º33,00' E


2) 59º37,00' N 027º38,00' E 4) 59º57,00' N 026º30,00' E

Väinämeri reporting line

1) 59º06,00' N 022º35,00' E
2) 59º14,00' N 023º31,00' E

Outer limits of Tallinn VTS:

1) Ninamaa Cape (59º28,40 N 024º21,60 E) 6) Keri L/H (59º41,90 N 025º01,40 E)


2) 59º29,50 N 024º20,00 E 7) 59º41,90 N 025º12,30 E
3) 59º30,50 N 024º20,00 E 8) Loodo Ots (59º34,70 N 025º12,30 E)
4) 59º40,00 N 024º30,00 E 9) Uitro Spit (59º32,50 N 025º08,60 E)
5) Tallinn madal L/H (59º42,70 N 024º43,90 E)
Appendix 1 MAP OF THE AREA

 
The GOFREP operational area covers the sea areas in the Gulf of Finland outside national VTS areas.

Helsinki Traffic monitors the area north of the Central Reporting Line
Tallinn Traffic monitors the area south of the Central Reporting Line and west of longitude 26º30’ E
St. Petersburg Traffic monitors the area East of longitude 26 º30’ E and south of the Central Reporting Line
 

Common questions

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During difficult ice conditions, traffic separation schemes in the Gulf of Finland may be temporarily withdrawn to ensure navigational safety. In such situations, vessels reporting to traffic centers will receive information on the recommended route through the ice and the name of the assisting icebreaker along with its working channel .

Traffic Centres use AIS to monitor shipping by collecting Full Report information such as vessel's name, geographical position, speed, and more, which can be partly fulfilled through AIS data. This makes it important for vessels to ensure their AIS information is accurate and updated before entering the GOFREP area .

Failure to report in accordance with GOFREP requirements can result in the vessel being reported for neglecting AIS carriage requirements under SOLAS chapter V(19) or violating COLREGs. This could lead to regulatory actions or penalties imposed by the vessel’s flag state, impacting the vessel's reputation and operational credentials .

Vessels are required to use VHF channels for communication and maintain continuous listening watch on the appropriate traffic channel while in the GOFREP area. English is used for communication to ensure a standardized language across international borders, utilizing IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases to avoid miscommunication and ensure clarity .

The national VTS areas coordinate with the GOFREP operational area to provide seamless monitoring, dividing responsibilities among Helsinki, Tallinn, and St. Petersburg Traffic Centres. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive and efficient system for tracking and managing vessel movements across national boundaries within the Gulf of Finland, integrating resources for enhanced maritime safety and navigational guidance .

A Short Report must be given verbally on VHF to the Traffic Centre every time a vessel crosses a reporting line. It contains the name of the ship and the present reporting line, ensuring the ship is on the correct channel and actively engaged with the Traffic Centre while transitioning between control areas .

A Full Report, required when a vessel departs a port in the Gulf of Finland or enters the GOFREP area, consists of designators such as the vessel’s name, position, true course, destination and ETA, present draught, hazardous cargo details, agent contact information, vessel type and length, number of persons onboard, and bunker fuel characteristics if applicable. Most of this information can be sourced from the AIS .

Vessels in a convoy with an icebreaker are not required to submit a Short Report when crossing reporting lines because the icebreaker is responsible for reporting on their behalf. This arrangement ensures streamlined communication and coordinated navigation under challenging ice conditions, avoiding redundant reports and focusing resources on managing navigational safety .

The Central Reporting Line serves as a strategic division within the GOFREP operational area, delineating the monitoring responsibilities among Helsinki, Tallinn, and St. Petersburg Traffic Centres. This separation helps in managing and organizing traffic by clearly defining the geographical boundaries for efficient control, ensuring navigational safety, and minimizing the risks of maritime incidents .

Ships under 300 gross tonnage are required to report if they are not under command, are at anchor in Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS), are restricted in their ability to maneuver, or have defective navigational aids. They are also encouraged to listen to the relevant VHF-traffic channel .

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