After making your initial call to the VTS from P-18 berth 4, when should you make your next call?

The appropriate time to make your next call after the initial communication with the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) as you leave from P-18 berth 4 is once you are off the dock. This is a standard protocol in navigation and communication practices.

The reasoning behind this timing is rooted in ensuring safety and effective traffic management in the waterways. Once a vessel is off the dock, it is clear of any potential hazards associated with the berthing area, and the VTS can better assist with further navigation and provide essential updates regarding traffic conditions or other navigational advisories in the vicinity.

Communicating only when you reach a specific distance from the dock or after a set time, such as 5 minutes, may lead to delayed operational awareness for the vessel and the VTS in managing maritime traffic. Likewise, relying solely on instructions from VTS without proactively communicating your status as you leave the dock would not align with best practices for safe navigation.