33 CFR § 161.15 - Purpose and intent.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s161.15"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 161.15 - Purpose and intent."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "161.15"
section_name: "Purpose and intent."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "P"
subchapter_name: "PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY"
part_number: "161"
part_name: "VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. 70001, 70002, 70003, 70034, 70114, 70119; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3."
regulatory_source: "CGD 90-020, 59 FR 36324, July 15, 1994, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "161"
---


# 161.15 Purpose and intent.

(a) A Vessel Movement Reporting System (VMRS) is a system used to monitor and track vessel movements within a VTS or VMRS area. This is accomplished by requiring that vessels provide information under established procedures as set forth in this part, or as directed by the Center.

(b) To avoid imposing an undue reporting burden or unduly congesting radiotelephone frequencies, reports shall be limited to information which is essential to achieve the objectives of the VMRS. These reports are consolidated into three reports (sailing plan, position, and final).

[CGD 90-020, 59 FR 36324, July 15, 1994, as amended by USCG-2003-14757, 68 FR 39366, July 1, 2003; USCG-2011-0257, 76 FR 31838, June 2, 2011]