What is London VTS? Vessel Traffic Services | Port of London Authority
Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is a marine traffic monitoring system established by a harbour or port authority, similar to air traffic control for aircraft. Safety of navigation – through the provision and delivery of an effective VTS, a significant contribution can be made to ensuring safety of navigation.
London VTS covers an area of some 600 square miles of waterway spanning 95 miles from Teddington to the North Sea.
The London VTS team ensures safety of life at sea, safe and efficient navigation, and protects the marine environment, adjacent shore areas, work sites and offshore installations from the possible adverse effects of maritime traffic.
London VTS operates from two state of the art VTS Centres located at the Port Control Centre in Gravesend and at the Thames Barrier Navigation Centre in Woolwich.Â
A team of dedicated VTS personnel oversee the Port of London on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year.
Contacting London VTS
Operational enquiries should be referred to the relevant VTS Centre:
Phone our 24-hour VTS duty officer:
Thames Barrier Navigation Control, for matters between Teddington to Crayfordness: +44 (0)203 260 7711
Port Control Centre, for matters east of Crayfordness to the Outer Limits: +44 (0)147 456 2215
Radio London VTS over VHF:
Channel 14 Teddington - Crayfordness
Channel 68 Crayfordness - Sea Reach 4
Channel 69 Sea Reach 4 - Seaward Limit