I have a question that maybe someone can answer. I was reading the VTS Puget Sound Users Manual and came across this:
User Definitions
VMRS (Vessel Movement Reporting System) Users:
-Every power-driven vessel of 40 meters (approximately 131 feet) or more in length, while navigating;
-Every commercial vessel engaged in towing 8 meters (approximately 26 feet) or more in length, while navigating;
-Every vessel certificated to carry 50 or more passengers for hire, when engaged in trade.
VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) Users:
-Every power-driven vessel of 20 meters (approximately 66 feet) or more in length, while navigating;
-Every vessel of 100 gross tons or more carrying 1 or more passengers for hire, while navigating;
-A dredge or floating plant.
https://homeport.uscg.mil/Lists/Cont...rman032503.pdf
Am I reading this correctly? Does this mean that a recreational vessel that is 66 feet or more is defined as a VTS user? If so, when I read the rest of the VTS Puget Sound User’s Manual it says that a VTS user is required to monitor the VTS frequency as well as channel 13. It also says that using a dual scan is not adequate for this, it requires separate fixed mounted radios for each channel.
Now, I’m not sure what the USCG means by “length” in this context, but even a vessel such as Mahalo might be just over the 66’ length mentioned.