Guernsey's new signal station at the end of White Rock Pier is now operational.

VTS- the maritime equivalent of Air Traffic Control  - is now working from a two storey container conversion.

The project has cost £320,000.

The original Guernsey Vessel Traffic Service building was knocked down a decade ago. Since then, VTS had been operating from a cabin further along the pier.

The new signal station has being installed on the site of the previous building. It has been fitted out with equipment, data links, telephones and radio services. In addition, a new radar antenna has been installed in St Sampson to improve coverage.

Guernsey VTS is the first point of contact for all commercial and leisure boats coming into the harbour. 

Its seven officers manage maritime traffic within St Peter Port, St Sampson and the approaches, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

 Work has also been completed on installing new IALA navigation lights on the site, which will control the entry and exit of vessel movements into St Peter Port during emergencies, large vessel movements, and one or two-way vessel traffic movements.

Harbour Master Captain David Barker says the investment allows Ports to deliver a modern vessel traffic management operation which meets international maritime standards and supports lifeline passenger and freight services to the islands.

“This has been a great example of a project delivered on time, to budget and at high quality, through close cooperation between supplier and customer, and a positive attitude from all those involved.

Provision of a VTS organisation promotes safety of life at sea, safety of navigation and efficiency of vessel traffic movement.

Investment in this new Signal Station allows Guernsey Ports to deliver a modern vessel traffic management operation, which fully complies with international maritime standards, to support lifeline passenger and freight services to Guernsey and our outlying islands.”- Harbourmaster, Captain David Barker.