6.1
Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)
Vessel traffic services are available at Puerto Ayora through
Puerto Ayora Radio, which provides information for shipping in the
Galapagos Particularly Sensitive Sea Area.
6.2.1 The national maritime SAR plan establishes
the Coast Guard Command as the maritime rescue co-ordination centre
and DIGMER as the SAR co-ordination centre, with its headquarters
under the supervision of the Director General for the Merchant Marine.
The Galapagos PSSA comes under the jurisdiction of the Galapagos Archipelago
administrative area, at the SAR co-ordination sub-centre for the island
region, which is responsible for deploying coast guard units operating
in that area.
6.2.2 The National Maritime Authority is responsible
for prevention and control of pollution produced by oil and other
harmful substances in Ecuador's waters and along its coasts. Given
the extent of the damage that can be caused by oil spills, there is
a national contingency plan to deal with them, whether at sea or along
the coasts or rivers. The plan covers the mainland waters, the Galapagos
island waters and the rivers of the western region. With regards to
planning, implementation and control, geographical areas have been
established corresponding to the maritime section of the island region,
which includes the Galapagos PSSA, under the responsibility of the
island naval operations command in co-ordination with the harbour
masters' offices at Puerto Ayora, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Puerto
Villamil and Seymour, and supported by the fleet air arm, the coast
guard and the Galapagos National Park.