MSC 70/20/11
Chapter 2 - General Provisions
2.1 Responsibilities
The following excerpts from IMO resolution A.857(20)
on Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services are relevant to
training:
In planning and establishing a VTS, the Government
or the Competent Authority should:
.1 determine the services and level to which the
services are to be provided by the VTS, having regard to
the objectives of the VTS;
.2 ensure that the VTS Authority is 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;
.3 establish appropriate qualifications and training
requirements for VTS operators, taking into consideration
the type and level of services to be provided;
.4 ensure that provisions for the training of VTS
operators are available
In operating a VTS the VTS Authority should:
.5 ensure that the standards set by the Competent
Authority for levels of service and operator
qualifications and equipment are met;
.6 ensure that the VTS operations are harmonised with,
where appropriate, ship reporting and routeing measures,
aids to navigation, pilotage and port operations.
2.2 Principles
In order to discharge the duties required by VTS,
all personnel should obtain a VTS qualification before being
considered competent to act as a VTS Operator or Supervisor.
A person should therefore only be considered capable
of carrying out the duties of a VTS Operator when in
possession of:
.1 a valid VTS Operator Certificate issued by, or
on behalf of, the Competent Authority of the country
concerned; and
.2 an appropriate endorsement in the VTS Certification
Log.
Further VTS qualifications, including VTS
Supervisor endorsement, should be awarded only following the
completion of accredited training programmes.
I:/MSC/70/20-11.WPD
