MSC 70/20/11
ANNEX
IALA Recommendation on Standards for
Training and Certification of
VTS Personnel
(IALA Recommendation V-103, May, 1998)
THE COUNCIL
NOTING that the International Convention on Standards of
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978,
as amended in 1995 (STCW Convention) contain regulations
concerning training of ships' personnel and the Seafarer's
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code)
contains specifications of minimum standard of competence for
ships' personnel;
NOTING ALSO that STCW 95 adopted Resolution 10 concerning
Training of maritime pilots, vessel traffic personnel and
maritime personnel employed on mobile offshore units;
NOTING FURTHER that the International Maritime Organisation
in Assembly Resolution A.857 (20) on Guidelines for VTS:
.1 recommend that VTS Authorities be provided with
sufficient staff, appropriately qualified, suitably
trained and capable of performing the tasks required,
taking into consideration the type and level of services
to be provided;
.2 describe the skill and knowledge qualifications
required by VTS Operators to provide vessel traffic
services.
RECOGNISING that the 8 International Symposium on VTS
(Rotterdam 1996) concluded that VTS Authorities should set
standards for VTS Operators in accordance with international
guidelines and other relevant material. VTS Authorities
should also provide facilities for training to those
standards and institute measures to maintain those standards.
RECOGNISING ALSO that following a request from the 8th
International Symposium on VTS, IALA undertook to develop
suitable training and certification standards for VTS
Personnel.
HAVING CONSIDERED the proposals by the IALA Ad Hoc Group on
Training and Certification Standards for VTS Personnel:
ADOPTS the Standards for Training and Certification of VTS
Personnel set out in the annex to this Recommendation;
RECOMMENDS National Members and other appropriate Authorities
providing, or intending to provide, vessel traffic services
to use the standards given in the annex and their related
model courses as the basis for the training and certification
of VTS personnel.
I:/MSC/70/20-11.WPD
