World Vessel Traffic Services Guide - Finland - Saimaa VTS

World Vessel Traffic Services Guide -
Finland - Saimaa VTS
Sectors & VTS Area
The Saimaa VTS area starts at the Mälkiä lock. The Saimaa VTS area consists of the
deep water routes in the Saimaa lake district and the fairways in connection with
these.
General Information
Vessels with an overall length of 24 metres or more are obliged to participate in
the vessel traffic services by reporting to Saimaa VTS, by listening to VHF channel
9 and by observing the provisions concerning traffic in the VTS area.
The master must notify the VTS authority of the following events taking place in
the VTS area or its vicinity:
any incidents or accidents affecting the vessel’s safety
any incidents or accidents endangering the safety of navigation
any circumstances that may cause pollution of waters or the coast
any pollutant spills and containers or packages drifting in the sea
Prohibitions
The speed limits in the deep water routes of the VTS area are:
Haponlahden canal 9km/h
Kyrönsalmi 9 km/h
Kaukaanselkä 9km/h
Vihtakanta 9 km/h
Jännevirta 9 km/h
Kortesalmi 9 km/h
Pitkälänniemi 9 km/h
Pussilantaipale 9 km/h
Muuraispuro 9 km/h
Rahasalmi 9 km/h
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In addition there are speed limits in the harbor areas presented in the port
regulations
Reports
The working channel of Saimaa VTS is VHF 9.
Required reports:
Advance report:
To be made before entering the VTS area (on lake Nuijamaa, border
crossing)
The report must include the following information:
1. name of the vessel
2. ETA Mälkiä
3. port of destination
4. dangerous cargo
5. details of any defects or deficiencies in the equipment of the vessel and
restrictions of manoeuvrability.
Vessels must also make an advance report before departure from the
port of Mustola to the VTS area.
Vessels must report when entering or leaving a VTS-fairway
Vessels must report before leaving port or an anchorage.
Anchoring and Berthing
Vessels which intend to anchor or berth within the VTS area must well in
advance report the following information:
1. name of the vessel
2. time of anchoring/berthing
3. position
Vessels navigating in the VTS area:
Vessels must report 10 minutes before passing the following places:
1. Kuhaluoto, southbound
2. Vekaransalonsalmi
3. Hätinvirta
4. Puumalansalmi
5. Pahikka
6. Vekaransalmi
7. Härkinsalo, northbound
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8. Kommersalmi, southbound
9. Kyrönsalmi
10. Matarinsalmi
11. Hapolahden canal
12. Tappuvirta
13. Tahkosalmi
14. Sinikonniemi, southbound
15. Muuraispuro, northbound
16. Patasalmi, northbound
17. Kolikon kaivanto, southbound
18. Kortesalmi
19. Hanhivirta
20. Vihtakanta, report is not required if vessel has reported one hour
before the opening bridge
Vessels towing timber rafts are an exception to the above. These should
report to the VTS when approaching the above mentioned narrow passages
so far in advance that the towage can be interrupted before the narrow
passage, due to for example a vessel in distress or some other obstruction.
Opening bridges
Kyrönsalmi Road- and Railroad Bridge
Vihtakanta
Vessel using deep water route must report to Saimaa VTS 1 hour before passing
the bridges. Saimaa VTS will order the opening of bridges
Pilotage
Compulsory pilotage applies to a vessel, integrated tug/barge combination or
non-rigid combination which:
carries oil, liquefied gas, noxious liquid substances or dangerous goods in
solid form in bulk;
carries INF cargo; or
has a maximum length of more than 25 metres in the Saimaa waterways or
the Saimaa Canal.
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Contact Information
Saimaa VTS
Sulkuvartijankatu 15
53300 Lappeenranta
Telephone: 0206 37 3745
Fax: 0206 37 3786
E-mail:
saimaa.vts(at)fta.fi
VHF:
ch.9
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