MSC 70/20/11
Chapter 3 - VTS Personnel
3.1 Operators and Supervisors
3.1.1 General
VTS Personnel should be authorised to undertake
duties associated with an information service, navigation
assistance service or traffic organization service only when
in possession of a current VTS Operator Certificate and, if
appropriate, VTS Supervisor endorsements.
Internationally agreed qualifications for VTS
personnel are the key to the establishment of common training
standards. Previous qualifications may be taken into
consideration when assessing the training requirements for
prospective VTS Operators or Supervisors.
VTS qualifications should be issued for VTS Operator
and, where appropriate to the level of services provided, the
VTS Supervisor. Where VTS Operators or Supervisors are
required to act as watch leaders the training should reflect
this responsibility.
The qualifications to be awarded after successful
completion of an accredited training programme should be in
the form of a“VTS Operator Certificate”with appropriate
endorsements recorded in the VTS Certification Log. The VTS
Certification Log should indicate whether the holder is
authorised to undertake the duties of a VTS Operator in an
Information Service, a Navigational Assistance Service or a
Traffic Organisation Service.
3.1.2 Operational Job descriptions
VTS Authorities should develop detailed job
descriptions for personnel at each VTS centre, based on the
services to be provided, the equipment available and the
coordination needed with other organisations and departments.
Examples of the format of job descriptions for VTS
Operators and VTS Supervisors are given in annexes 1 and 2
respectively
3.1.3 Standards of Competence
The Standards of Competence recommended for VTS
Operators and VTS Supervisors are set out in Tables 1 and 2
respectively.
3.2 Manager
Some VTS organisations may require the appointment
of a manager to administer and interface with regional or
port management authorities. In such circumstances the
manager should possess managerial qualifications to the
satisfaction of the Government or Competent Authority
concerned.
The manager should have knowledge of the principles
and practices of the particular VTS, the levels of service
provided and the overall structure and capabilities of the
VTS organisation. This VTS knowledge may be gained through
experience as a VTS Operator or VTS Supervisor. Such
experience would be particularly relevant where the managers
role includes responsibilities for VTS contingency planning.
I:/MSC/70/20-11.WPD
