The system’s costs will also depend on the Coast Guard’s decision about how sophisticated the system should be. For example, the port of Los Angeles/Long Beach, which is on the Coast Guard’s “short list” for the first round of VTS 2000 systems, now has a VTS system, which cost about $1 million to build and meets nearly all of VTS 2000’s operational requirements, according to a Coast Guard study. A group is studying the feasibility of a more limited, privately-funded system. Among other things, this study will address the role of the public and private sectors in developing and operating VTS systems in the United States. Support for Vts 2000 Not Widespread Among Key Stakeholders Interviewed at Ports

Most of the stakeholders we interviewed did not support installing a VTS 2000 system at their port. Interviewed Key Stakeholders Showed Greater Support for Alternative Vts Systems

The stakeholders interviewed at six ports generally supported some form of VTS system that they perceived to be less expensive than VTS 2000. There is an acknowledged need to improve marine safety at a number of ports, but not much agreement about how it should be done. Additional copies are $2 each.
Why GAO Did This Study

GAO discussed the Coast Guard's vessel traffic service (VTS) 2000 program.

What GAO Found

GAO noted that: (1) it is difficult to judge whether VTS 2000 is the best marine safety system because it is unknown how many ports need the system, how much it will cost, and whether other cost-effective alternatives are available; (2) most key stakeholders do not support VTS 2000 because they believe it will be too costly; (3) most key stakeholders oppose user fees or other funding methods that would shift the financial costs of VTS 2000 from the Coast Guard to users; (4) support for a VTS system of any kind varied among key stakeholders at different ports, but most favored the least expensive options available; and (5) issues affecting privately funded or privately operated VTS systems include the initial costs of a VTS system, the private sector's exposure to liability, and the Coast Guard's oversight role.