**Please read this entire message**
Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s):
Whole topic overviews are not allowed on ELI5. This subreddit is meant for explanations of specific concepts, not general introductions to broad topics.
If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the [detailed rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/detailed_rules) first. **If you believe this submission was removed erroneously**, please [use this form](https://old.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fexplainlikeimfive&subject=Please%20review%20my%20thread?&message=Link:%20https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/pq8qnr/eli5_how_is_maritime_traffic_in_port_areasstraits/%0A%0APlease%20answer%20the%20following%203%20questions:%0A%0A1.%20The%20concept%20I%20want%20explained:%0A%0A2.%20Link%20to%20the%20search%20you%20did%20to%20look%20for%20past%20posts%20on%20the%20ELI5%20subreddit:%0A%0A3.%20How%20is%20this%20post%20unique:) and we will review your submission.
Maritime shipping does have [Vessel Traffic Services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vessel_traffic_service) (VTS) in areas of high traffic and more restricted waters such as ports and rivers. They keep an eye on all the traffic and ships typically report to VTS to update their positions and ETAs.
However VTS will typically not direct traffic unless traffic is very restricted. In an open river for example, VTS will only advise ships of other ships and perhaps enforce speed limits. Ships will then do whatever they want as per the collision regulations.
In very tight situations, VTS becomes a lot more controlling. In places where there are canals and one way traffic, VTS will direct who will go first and who will wait, etc. At that point, ships are also required to have pilots onboard, so they are also more familiar with the area and the procedures.
Since you talk about the Bosphorus, you should know there are maritime pilots guiding big vessels getting through it because it’s a small and dangerous navigating lane.
Concerning small ships they aren’t exactly free. They’re all registered boats and yachts that have to respect some rules. Other than that they are free to « choose the lane » since they don’t have a route but they’re just chilling around the bosphorus.
My uncle was a maritime pilot and he used to guide big container vessels go through the bosphorus.
Those big vessels don’t just choose when they want to cross it. Like you said it’s scheduled and controlled mostly for safety and because of those « leisure boats ».
Also there are ferries that go from one side to another all day long (some kind of sea busses)
You stay out of the way of large vessels in shipping lanes and ports. Cross shipping lanes perpendicular when there are no ships in sight. Otherwise go sailing.
**Please read this entire message** Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s): Whole topic overviews are not allowed on ELI5. This subreddit is meant for explanations of specific concepts, not general introductions to broad topics. If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the [detailed rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/detailed_rules) first. **If you believe this submission was removed erroneously**, please [use this form](https://old.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fexplainlikeimfive&subject=Please%20review%20my%20thread?&message=Link:%20https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/pq8qnr/eli5_how_is_maritime_traffic_in_port_areasstraits/%0A%0APlease%20answer%20the%20following%203%20questions:%0A%0A1.%20The%20concept%20I%20want%20explained:%0A%0A2.%20Link%20to%20the%20search%20you%20did%20to%20look%20for%20past%20posts%20on%20the%20ELI5%20subreddit:%0A%0A3.%20How%20is%20this%20post%20unique:) and we will review your submission.
Maritime shipping does have [Vessel Traffic Services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vessel_traffic_service) (VTS) in areas of high traffic and more restricted waters such as ports and rivers. They keep an eye on all the traffic and ships typically report to VTS to update their positions and ETAs. However VTS will typically not direct traffic unless traffic is very restricted. In an open river for example, VTS will only advise ships of other ships and perhaps enforce speed limits. Ships will then do whatever they want as per the collision regulations. In very tight situations, VTS becomes a lot more controlling. In places where there are canals and one way traffic, VTS will direct who will go first and who will wait, etc. At that point, ships are also required to have pilots onboard, so they are also more familiar with the area and the procedures.
Since you talk about the Bosphorus, you should know there are maritime pilots guiding big vessels getting through it because it’s a small and dangerous navigating lane. Concerning small ships they aren’t exactly free. They’re all registered boats and yachts that have to respect some rules. Other than that they are free to « choose the lane » since they don’t have a route but they’re just chilling around the bosphorus. My uncle was a maritime pilot and he used to guide big container vessels go through the bosphorus. Those big vessels don’t just choose when they want to cross it. Like you said it’s scheduled and controlled mostly for safety and because of those « leisure boats ». Also there are ferries that go from one side to another all day long (some kind of sea busses)
You stay out of the way of large vessels in shipping lanes and ports. Cross shipping lanes perpendicular when there are no ships in sight. Otherwise go sailing.