U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Services

For more than 35 years, the U.S. Coast Guard has operated vessel traffic services (VTSs) in major ports throughout the United States. During this period of time, VTS capabilities and roles have changed, and the relationship with other aspects of waterways management and maritime operations has matured. The role of VTS is in the midst of an operational revolution, which has become especially evident in the past 10 years. This article discusses how the expansion of advanced sensors and technology, greater recognition of the need for maritime domain awareness in support of all maritime missions, and larger, more numerous vessels plying American's waterways have created the need for an even more modern and technologically advanced U.S. Coast Guard-operated VTS program.