43.
-
40 The Group considered the advisability of pilotage services being introduced for vessels transiting the Malacca Strait. Having regard to the size of the vessels, the restricted fairways, the limited under keel clearance, the density of traffic and the tidal streams in narrow channels, any pilot employed in this area would need to be highly trained and experienced in handling ships of large size and draught.
41
Taking all factors into consideration, the Group did not feel that a recommendation for the introduction of compulsory pilotage services in the Straits should be made at this time.
Vessel Traffic Systems
42 The Malacca Strait, though it is called a Strait, is nearly 400 km wide at the north end and almost 1,000 km long. It is considered that there would perhaps be no other VTS in the world that fully encompasses a body of water as large as this region.
43 In considering VTS for this area, the Group took into account the information presented by the littoral States and the fact that the TSS in Singapore Strait is covered by a VTIS.
44 The volume of traffic passing through the Malacca Strait is comparable to other areas of the world where VTS is in operation such as Montreal (Canada) and Weser (Germany).
45 The Group considered that the difficulties associated with establishing radar coverage of the Strait (low-lying land, large distances, heavy and frequent tropical squalls) and the cost involved, did not justify serious. investigation at this time.
46
The Group noted that the littoral States had developed proposals/ideas for a VTS (Malaysian sea surveillance system and Indonesian extension of TSS with associated radar, etc.) without apparently full bilateral consultation.
47
The Tripartite Technical Experts Group on Safety of Navigation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore was seen by the Group as a positive factor for ensuring co-operative measures regarding safety of navigation in the area and as the appropriate forum for initial development of any proposals for VTS in the Straits area.
48 The Group also considered that any proposals for a VTS in the Malacca Strait must comply fully with IMO resolution A.578(14). In this regard, the format of the agreement between the Governments of Canada and the United States for the implementation of a co-operative VTS for the region of Juan De Fuca Strait could be of assistance to the littoral States in bilateral discussions.
49 Indonesian officials advised the Group of their Customs Coastal Radar System which gives radar coverage of the extreme southern end of the Malacca Strait and Singapore Strait. Radar scanners are located on Great Karimun Island and Batam Island with a coverage of 32 nautical miles.
50 The control centre is situated on Great Karimun Island and has direct radio contact with customs patrol boats.
W/9181e