The United States Coast Guard, by authority of the Ports and Waterways Act of 1972, maintains numerous Vessel Traffic Services throughout the United States. One such is the Puget Sound Vessel Traffic Service (PSVTS). The mission of PSVTS is to prevent collisions and groundings and to protect life, property, and the environment on and around the navigable waters of the PSVTS area. PSVTS is comprised of three major components: Vessel Movement Reporting System (VMRS), Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) and Surveillance systems including radar and closed circuit television.

PSVTS covers most of the waters from Olympia to the Canadian border and westward through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and participation is mandatory. However, participation requirements refer only to the vessel movement reporting system and to the following types of vessels:

1. Power-driven vessels of 20 meters or more in length
2. Vessels of 100 gross tons or more carrying passengers for hire
3. Commercial vessels 8 meters or more in length and engaged in towing
4. Dredges and floating plants

Any vessel underway within the Traffic Separation Scheme must abide by the TSS. Anchoring in the TSS is prohibited. Vessels required to participate in the Vessel Movement Reporting System use VHF-FM Channel 14 for communications in the area South of Bush Point, and Channel 5A for the area North of Bush Point, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca. These frequencies are solely for the use of PSVTS and are quite busy.Vessels not required to participate in the VMRS, such as recreational vessels, can maintain a listening watch on Channel 14 or 5A, but should not transmit on that frequency unless an emergency concerning PSVTS arises. Routine broadcasts on Channel 14 and 5A contain much good information about vessel movements, menaces to navigation, aids to navigation discrepancies, regattas, etc. Channel 13 is used as Seattle’s secondary frequency when 5A or 14 are temporarily unavailable.

The one-way traffic lanes, 1,000 yards wide with 500 yard-wide separation zones between the lanes are the basic elements of the traffic separation scheme. Precautionary areas are located at critical junctures, turning point and terminals of the traffic lanes. It is important to note that all vessels, when in the TSS, must follow the TSS rules. Power driven vessels under 20 meters are not, however, required to use the TSS.

The radar surveillance of the PSVTS is conducted from 12 radar sites throughout the area and is monitored at the Vessel Traffic Center at Pier 36 in Seattle. Radar coverage extends from Cape Flattery all the way through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, North through Rosario Strait, and South in Puget Sound to Three Tree Point.

The Rules of the Road, and all other navigation laws, rules, and regulations apply as usual in the PSVTS area. Note that Navigation Rule 10 has been modified to provide that a vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a power driven vessel following a traffic lane. Pleasure boats must also observe a security zone of 100 yards from any US military vessel, tanker or ferry.

Notes: When submitting for a yacht racing or regatta permit, make sure the phone number listed on the form is the phone number of the committee boat.

More information on Puget Sound Vessel Traffic Service is available in the United States Coast Guard’s Puget Sound VTS Users Manual, a copy of which may be obtained at the Federal Building or on the web at: http://www.uscg.mil/d13/units/vts/psvts.html