2.

Ship reporting systems: The use of reporting in accordance with

general principles for ship reporting systems and with VTS, reporting
procedures INDSAR as per M.S. Notice of DGS

Vessel Reporting System

Need for vessel reporting system
Currently there are no harmonized standards for ship reporting by
electronic means and a considerable burden is placed on the ship to
complete different paper forms for different identities ashore such as
customs, immigration, cargo manifest etc. A fully automated electronic
system will have a benefit and reduce administrative burdens.
It is important, however, that IMO ensures that a unified and
harmonized system is adopted worldwide before regional systems are
introduced.
In the absence of harmonized standards for ship reporting
systems, national ship reporting systems may use different procedures
and reporting formats.
Such different procedures and reporting formats create an
additional burden for ships moving from one area to another covered
by different ship reporting systems.
Such administrative burdens could be alleviated if ship reporting
systems and reporting requirements were made in accordance with a
single, standard format and procedures.
A revision and update to the existing guidelines will provide
standardised and automated reporting of ships information through
single entry of reportable information by electronic means. Single
reporting arrangements may also be referred to as “single window”.
 The revised guideline will assist automated collection of internal
ship data for reporting and automated or semi-automated digital
distribution as required by coastal and port States. The required
reportable information will contain both “static” documentation and
“dynamic” information.
The revised guideline will consider digital reporting
formats based on recognized internationally harmonized
standards such as IMO FAL Forms or SN.1/Circ.289, as
considered appropriate.
The updated and improved guideline will support the provisions
of SOLAS regulation V/11 relating to ship reporting systems.

Benefits
The benefit will be a worldwide harmonised automated ship reporting
system saving cost and reducing administrative burden, while reducing
the non-navigational workload of the navigator and increasing the
efficiency of trade. Industry Standards
No industry standards currently exist. The development of
industry standards requires the establishment of the Common
Maritime Data Structure based on the IHO S-100 series of international
standards.
The way ahead
Automated standardized ship reporting system
Direct polling by shore authorities
Reduce administrative burden for shipboard staff.
Ship Reporting Systems
1. Ship reporting systems contribute to safety of life at sea,
safety and efficiency of navigation and/or protection of the
marine environment. A ship reporting system, when adopted
and implemented in accordance with the guidelines and
criteria developed by the IMO pursuant to this regulation, shall
be used by all ships, or certain categories of ships or ships
carrying certain cargoes in accordance with the provisions of
each system so adopted.

2. The IMO is recognized as the only international body for

developing guidelines, criteria and regulations on an international
level for ship reporting systems. Contracting Governments shall refer
proposals for the adoption of ship reporting systems to the IMO. The
IMO will collate and disseminate to Contracting Governments all
relevant information with regard to any adopted ship reporting system.

3.The initiation of action for establishing a ship reporting system is the

responsibility of the Government or Governments concerned. In
developing such systems provision of the guidelines and criteria
developed by the IMO shall be taken into account.

4.Ship reporting systems not submitted to the IMO for adoption do

not necessarily need to comply with this regulation. However,
Governments implementing such systems are encouraged to follow,
wherever possible, the guidelines and criteria developed by the IMO.
Contracting Governments may submit such systems to the IMO for
recognition.

5.Where two or more Governments have a common interest in a

particular area, they should formulate proposals for a co-ordinated
ship reporting system on the basis of agreement between them.
Before proceeding with a proposal for adoption of a ship reporting
system, the IMO shall disseminate details of the proposal to those
Governments which have a common interest in the area covered by the
proposed system. Where a co-ordinated ship reporting system is
adopted and established, it shall have uniform procedures and
operations.

6. Any adopted ship reporting system shall have the capability

of interaction and the ability to assist ships with information
when necessary. Such systems shall be operated in accordance with
the guidelines and criteria developed by the IMO pursuant to this
regulation.

7.The master of a ship shall comply with the requirements of adopted

ship reporting systems and report to the appropriate authority all
information required in accordance with the provisions of each such
system.

8.All adopted ship reporting systems and actions taken to enforce

compliance with those systems shall be consistent with international
law, including the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea.

9. Nothing in this regulation or its associated guidelines and criteria

shall prejudice the rights and duties of Governments under
international law or the legal regimes of straits used for international
navigation and archipelagic sea lanes.

10.The participation of ships in accordance with the provisions

of adopted ship reporting systems shall be free of charge to the
ships concerned.
11. The IMO shall ensure that adopted ship reporting systems are
reviewed under the guidelines and criteria developed by the
Organization.

Reports

Communication between a shore-based authority and a

participating ship should be limited to information essential to achieve
the objectives of the system and, unless there is an emergency
involving the safety of life at sea or a threat to the marine environment,
the information should not be used for any other purpose.

The communication system should enable the shore-based

authority and the participating ship to exchange information.

The communication should be clear and simple and avoid imposing an

undue burden on masters, officers of the watch and pilots.

The language used should enable the shore-based authority and the
participating ship to understand each other clearly.

The initial report required from a ship entering the system should
generally be limited to the ship's name, call sign, IMO identification
number if applicable, and position.

In the case of an emergency or threat to the marine environment,

the shore-based authority may request that the participating ship
provide as soon as practicable the precise details of any hazardous
cargoes, including their location on board the ship.

The system should be planned to transmit information quickly and

securely in the most effective way.
 SOLAS Ch V Regulation 12 – Vessel Traffic Services

Summary
(a) Safety of life at sea,
(b) Safety and efficiency of navigation and
(c) Protection of the marine environment,
(i) Adjacent shore areas,
(ii) Work sites and
(iii) Offshore installations
from possible adverse effects of maritime traffic.

INDSAR/ INSPIRES (Indian MS Notice)

Merchant Shipping Notice No. 07 of 2010
The Purpose of this Notice is:
(a) To provide information about the Ship Reporting System called
the INDSAR within Indian Search & Rescue Region- (ISRR);

(b) To provide information about the Ship Reporting System

operated by Indian Navy called INSPIRES for open ocean vessel
management within the assigned INSPIRES Area;
(c) To encourage effective participation of vessels within the
above stated geographical areas;
(d) To fulfill the requirements of Maritime Search and Rescue
services (SAR) and open ocean vessel management for providing
security to ships under National and International Laws; and
(e) To ensure safety and security of maritime traffic in order to
protect life, property and marine environment.
Applicable rules and regulations:-
1. SOLAS Chapter-V- Regulation 7 search and Rescue services.
2. Chapter VI Ship Reporting System under SAR Convention 1979.
3. MS. Act, 1958 Section 355 and 355-A obligation to render
assistance to persons in danger.
4. IMO regulation A 851 (20)- General Principles for Ship reporting
system and Ship reporting requirements including reporting accidence
involve dangers goods, harm full substances and/ or Marine pollutants.

Indian Ship Reporting System (INDSAR).

This is a supplementary and an advance computerized

system designed to contribute to safety of life/timely
search and rescue operations at sea. This system is
operated and maintained by the Indian Coast Guard
through their Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre
(MRCC) at Mumbai.
The aim of providing / coordinating the effective
search and rescue operations in a possible event of any
marine casualty at sea, the Indian Coast Guard has
brought in to operations a supplementary Ship Position
Reporting System with effect from 01st February, 2003.
(a) All Indian ships of 100 GRT and above entering
into or transiting the Indian Search and Rescue Region
(ISRR) shall participate in the INDSAR reporting system.
All ships other than Indian Ships of 300 GRT and above
entering or transiting through the above region are
encouraged to participate in INDSAR reporting system
(b) All ships 100 GRT and above irrespective of the
flag carrying a nuclear or other inherently dangerous
or noxious substances or materials entering into or
transiting the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR)
waters are encouraged to participate in the INDSAR
reporting system for safety;
(c) All ships of 20 years and above irrespective of
the flag are advised to send the relevant report under
INDSAR within ISRR.
(d) The format of the report or reports shall conform
to the ship reporting guidelines prescribed in IMO
Resolution A.851 [20] and Special Edition of Indian
Notices to Mariners No.8.

Indian Ship Position and Information Reporting

System (INSPIRES)
The main objective of the system is Open Ocean Vessel
management for security of all vessels navigating in the
Arabian Sea / Bay of Bengal. An Indian Naval
Communication Centre (COMCENs) Mumbai and
Vishakhapatnam are functioning as the shore stations for
receiving INSPIRES messages from all vessels.

1.All Indian vessels including coasting / fishing vessels

of tonnage 300 GRT and above shall participate in this
reporting system.
2.All vessels other than Indian ship of tonnage 100 GRT
and above are encouraged to send the reports in the
prescribed format when they are transiting within the
INSPIRES ship reporting areas.
3.The format of the report or reports shall conform to
the ship reporting guidelines prescribed in IMO
Resolution A.851 (20) and Special Edition of Indian
Notices to Mariners No. 8.