NAV 45/13
ANNEX
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.3 overuse of prepositions:
e.g. IV A/3.1.
3.1.2
We suggest:
4 speed over ground
speed over water
ground speed
water speed
.4 overuse of modal verbs:
e.g. IV A/3.2
We suggest:
5.1 We need not give way
We must not give way
Comments by Hong Kong, China
In Hong Kong, China separate trials were conducted by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) and the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) to evaluate the practical use of SMCP in their respective operations. A full report on the methodology adopted and findings arrived at has been submitted to the IMO Secretariat. Following is a summary of the conclusions drawn from the trials.
In respect of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) operations
.1 While the SMCP provides a useful reference for general maritime communications, it is impractical to rely on a standard set of phrases to cover each and every aspect of the information to be exchanged since there are so many variables in the VTS operations. This is particularly so in the Hong Kong, China situation.
.2 Given the scope and volume of the SMCP, extensive training is required to ensure that the operators are fully conversant with the phrases and therefore can effectively apply these in their daily operations.
.3 There appears to be a strong correlation between a person's language proficiency and his ability to effectively communicate by using the SMCP. Unlike using the Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary (SMNV), most ship officers from non-English speaking countries had difficulty in understanding or using the SMCP.
Note: The SMNV is routinely used in the VTS communications since the inception of VTC in 1989, which is simple and easy to understand. There is no apparent difficulty for both the VTS staff and port users to communicate using the SMNV.
.4 Unless the users were fully conversant with the language, the communication in SMCP would be less efficient due to the need to repeat or explain the messages.
