REFERENCE · BETA
Port Call Data Dictionary
Clear definitions for the operational milestones shown in VHF14. The interface stays concise; this reference explains the meaning behind each report.
TIME
Time basis
Requested is reserved for future controlled workflows and is not currently available in the reporting interface.
Estimated
A current professional expectation that has not yet occurred.
Estimated time (E)Planned
A time adopted in the current operational plan or schedule.
Planned time (P)Actual
A time observed after the event occurred.
Actual time (A)Requested
A time requested by one operational party and awaiting planning confirmation.
Requested time (R) · ReservedIMO / PCO
Standard abbreviations
These abbreviations identify the time type and the action. A location or service qualifier is added where needed: for example, ATA Berth, PTA PBP or ATC Cargo service.
Actual Time of Arrival
Arrival
Estimated Time of Arrival
Arrival
Planned Time of Arrival
Arrival
Requested Time of Arrival
Arrival
Actual Time of Start
Service start
Estimated Time of Start
Service start
Planned Time of Start
Service start
Requested Time of Start
Service start
Actual Time of Completion
Service completion
Estimated Time of Completion
Service completion
Planned Time of Completion
Service completion
Requested Time of Completion
Service completion
Actual Time of Departure
Departure
Estimated Time of Departure
Departure
Planned Time of Departure
Departure
Requested Time of Departure
Departure
Pilot Boarding Place
Location
Vessel Traffic Services
Port service
Maritime Single Window
Digital exchange
Port Community System
Digital exchange
Important: familiar operational shorthand is not presented as an IMO abbreviation unless the referenced standard defines it. For example, Pilot on Board is not labelled ATA PBP because those events are not identical.
PORT CALL
Operational milestones
Shifting and anchorage are contextual. They appear only when reported and remain within the same port call.
Inbound
Pilot on Board
No single standard abbreviationPilot physically embarked for the relevant pilotage movement.
Pilot boarding place or reported positionATA PBP refers to the ship's arrival at the Pilot Boarding Place, not to the boarding event itself.
Inbound / Shifting / Outbound
Tugs Connected
ATS Tug serviceRequired tug assistance connected and ready for the movement.
Reported operational positionStandards-family mapping: actual start of a nautical service at a stated location.
Berth arrival
First Line
ATA BerthFirst mooring line secured ashore at the berth.
Berth / berth positionThe PCO Guide defines Actual Time of Arrival Berth by the first line secured.
Alongside
All Fast
No single standard abbreviationVessel secured in the agreed berthing position.
Berth / berth positionA distinct operational milestone; it should not be substituted for ATA Berth without a local definition.
Alongside
Gangway Down
No single standard abbreviationGangway positioned for operational access.
BerthA locally useful milestone, but not a general IMO timestamp abbreviation.
Alongside
Cargo Operations Started
ATS Cargo serviceCargo handling operations commenced.
Terminal / berthActual Time of Start of the cargo or terminal service.
Alongside
Cargo Operations Completed
ATC Cargo serviceCargo handling operations completed.
Terminal / berthActual Time of Completion of the cargo or terminal service.
Departure planning
Vessel Ready to Sail
No single standard abbreviationVessel operationally ready to begin the departure sequence.
BerthReadiness and departure time are separate concepts.
Shifting
Shifting Started
No single standard abbreviationVessel commenced an internal movement between positions within the same port call.
Origin berth / positionVHF14 retains this as an in-port movement within the same port call.
Alongside
Shifting Completed
No single standard abbreviationVessel secured at the new position after an internal shift.
Destination berth / positionThe destination berth or position must accompany the event when known.
Berth departure
Last Line
ATD BerthLast mooring line released from the berth.
Berth / berth positionActual Time of Departure Berth may be operationally defined by the last line released.
Outbound
Pilot Off
ATC PilotagePilot disembarked or the relevant pilotage service was completed.
Pilot disembarkation place or reported positionStandards-family mapping: actual completion of the pilotage service at a stated location.
Outbound
Port Clear
No single standard abbreviationVessel reported clear of the port-call operational area used by VHF14.
Port operational boundaryThe applicable boundary must be defined by the port or reporting context.
Anchorage context
Anchor Dropped
No single standard abbreviationVessel anchored during the port call.
Anchorage or reported positionContextual event; anchorage identity or position should be included when known.
Anchorage context
Anchor Aweigh
No single standard abbreviationVessel commenced departure from anchorage.
Anchorage or reported positionContextual event; it does not create a new port call.
EVIDENCE
Report status
Reported
Submitted in good faith and visible as awaiting authorised review.
Confidence
Independent agreement may increase evidential confidence but does not grant verification authority.
Verified
Reviewed by an authorised human source or VHF14 review process. During beta, only an Administrator can grant this status.
VISIBILITY
Data classification
Operational reporting remains open and practical. Classification protects information that should not appear on the public timeline.
- Public operational data
- Operational milestone, time basis, vessel IMO, port UN/LOCODE and optional operational location context.
- Restricted professional data
- Contributor identity, professional profile, organisational representation and future organisation- or port-limited operational data.
- Internal control data
- Administrative notes, audit records, review evidence, security information and moderation history.
Do not submit personal data, security-sensitive information, confidential instructions or navigational information not authorised for publication.