Vessel Traffic Services

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Vessel Traffic Services

This project responded to new International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines regarding operation of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and changes to certification requirements for VTS operators.

Latest update Project Commencement Consultation and feedback Endorsement Finalisation and submission
Completion due 30 August 2024
Latest update Finalisation 15 October 2024
Resources 3 Downloads
Committee Members 11
About the project

Project overview

This project responded to new International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines regarding operation of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and changes to certification requirements for VTS operators.

VTS Operators are required to be trained in current practices and technologies for managing vessel operations which meet IMO requirements (also known as IMO – IALA Model Courses).

At the request of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), this project will delete the MAR30022 Certificate III in Vessel Traffic Services and six Units of Competency that do not align with IMO – IALA requirements.

The unit MARC044 – Transmit and receive information by marine VHF radio will be retained as it aligns with IMO – STCW radio requirements located in other maritime Training Package products.

The project does not involve the review or development of any other training products.

This project will also:

  • update the Maritime Companion Volume Implementation Guide.
  • produce a mapping document stating changes made.
  • update any out-of-scope product affected by the changes made to the project training products.
Project timeline

Latest updates

Project Commencement

Commitee Membership

The Vessel Traffic Services Project Technical Committee was established in July 2024

Consultation and feedback

Public Consultation

Public Consultation closed on Monday, 2 September 2024.

In response to a request from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the Certificate III in Vessel Traffic Services and six related units of competency have been proposed for deletion from the Maritime Training Package.

AMSA has requested. Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Operators will use the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) requirements (also known as IMO – IALA Model Courses) as training moving forward. This now means that the Qualification MAR30022 – Certificate III in Vessel Traffic Services is no longer required.

The unit MARC044 – Transmit and receive information by marine VHF radio will be retained as it aligns with IMO – STCW radio requirements located in other maritime Training Package products.

The products that will be removed are:

  • MAR30022 Certificate III in Vessel Traffic Services
  • MARC063 Operate Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) equipment
  • MARF051 Apply communication, coordination and interactions for VTS provision
  • MARF052 Apply nautical knowledge
  • MARF053 Apply personal attributes
  • MARF056 Provide Vessel Traffic Services
  • MARI005 Respond to emergency situations.

Endorsement

Endorsement

In response to a request from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the Certificate III in Vessel Traffic Services and six related units of competency have been deleted from the Maritime Training Package, in line with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) guidelines.

AMSA has requested Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Operators use the International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements (also known as IMO – IALA Model Courses) as training moving forward.

The training products that have been removed are:

  • MAR30022 Certificate III in Vessel Traffic Services
  • MARC063 Operate Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) equipment
  • MARF051 Apply communication, coordination and interactions for VTS provision
  • MARF052 Apply nautical knowledge
  • MARF053 Apply personal attributes
  • MARF056 Provide Vessel Traffic Services
  • MARI005 Respond to emergency situation

 

The unit MARC044 – Transmit and receive information by marine VHF radio has been retained as it aligns with IMO – STCW radio requirements located in other maritime Training Package products.

Skills Ministers endorsed the revised Maritime Training Package on 14 November 2024.

What does this mean for industry?

The revised training products provide are now compliant with International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines.

To support the delivery and implementation of the revised training products, the Companion Volume Implementation Guide (CVIG) has been updated to assist assessors, trainers, RTOs and enterprises. The CVIG contains comprehensive list of all products in the Training Package; including mapping information which details the changes that have been made to the training products; implementation advice, and useful links to other information.

ISA will be conducting a webinar to explain the changes to training products and provide implementation advice. Subscribe to be kept updated.

The endorsed Training Package products are now available on training.gov.au.

Finalisation and submission

Finalisation

The Training Package Assurance Body has recommended the draft training products for this project be endorsed by Skills Ministers.

Submission

Industry Skills Australia (ISA) has submitted the final draft training products for the ​Vessel Traffic Services​ Project to the Assurance Body.

In response to a request from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the Certificate III in Vessel Traffic Services and six related units of competency have been proposed for deletion from the Maritime Training Package.

General updates

Timeline

The reviewed training products are due to be submitted to the Assurance Body by 30 August 2024.

Marine Order 505 & Vessel Traffic Services Update

This is the second webinar to be facilitated by ISA to support stakeholders in understanding the reason for the changes and how implementation will affect them.

Consultation Strategy

Industry Skills Australia (ISA) will engage with stakeholders throughout the life of the project and consider all ideas, opinions, and feedback to the revised training products to ensure they meet the needs of industry. A consultation log containing a high-level summary of all feedback and ISA’s response will be maintained and available on our website.

ISA will facilitate a webinar following endorsement of the materials to support stakeholders in understanding the changes and how they will affect them.