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Vessel Traffic Services Operator

Regulators
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Nations
United Kingdom
Sectors
  • Transport

Regulatory or professional bodies

Primary regulator

Regulatory authority
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Address

Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Phone number
+44 (0)2038 172 200

Regulation

Regulation summary

The MCA, on behalf of the Secretary of State issues Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Operators Certification Logbook to personnel once they have met the qualifying conditions of the appropriate International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation & Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) recommendations and Guidelines.

Regulation type

Licence

Reserved activities

A holder of a VTS Certification Logbook and endorsement from a VTS Authority will be permitted to serve as a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Provider.

The endorsement will specify the VTS centre at which the VTS Operator can serve.


Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

The strategy in the UK for VTS training, certification, and operations, broadly adopts the contents of relevant IALA recommendations, guidelines, and model courses.

UK VTS Operators are only considered competent when appropriately trained and qualified for their VTS duties. This includes:
a. Successfully completing the VTS Operator training course (C0103-1) at an MCA approved Training Organisation.
b. Completing On-the-Job Training (C0103-3) specific to the VTS where the person is employed.
c. Undergoing performance assessment and revalidation to ensure competence is maintained (C0103-5).
d. Being in possession of a UK VTS logbook issued by the MCA.

To enroll on a VTS Operator training C0103-1 course, there are three available routes for:
a. candidates with acceptable marine qualifications
b. candidates with partial marine qualifications
c. candidates without acceptable marine qualifications.

Depending on a candidate’s knowledge, experience and previous training which, if properly documented, may be recognised through the award of Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) and/or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). A current list of MCA recognised APL and APEL can be found in a Marine Information Notice 692 published annually by the MCA.

The full requirements to obtain a UK VTS Operator Certification Logbook can be found in MGN 434 (As amended).

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
Some - qualifications from some countries may be recognised, but professionals from other countries will have to re-qualify
Summary of routes

Applicants outside of the UK with qualifications or experience may be able to apply for a UK VTS Operator training course using their previous experience. Candidates with either:
a. acceptable marine qualifications
b. partial marine qualifications.

A current list of MCA recognised APL and APEL can be found in a Marine Information Notice 692 published annually by the MCA.

All UK VTS personnel are required to meet the English Language requirement. The VTS Model Course C0103-1 is set on the assumption that VTS trainees have achieved an International English Language Testing Scheme (IELTS) Level 5 or equivalent prior to commencement of training. It should however be noted that candidates wishing to work in a UK VTS centre and thus requiring a UK VTS Logbook, will be required to demonstrate that they meet IELTS level 7 when applying for their logbook.

The full requirements to obtain a UK VTS Operator Logbook can be found in MGN 434 (as amended).


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

The Merchant Shipping Act 1995

Website link to legislation
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/21
Title of relevant act or charter

The Merchant Shipping (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements)(Amendment) Regulations 2011

Website link to legislation
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/2616

Licence Finder

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