VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES (VTS)
Our Vessel Traffic Services programmes teach you to manage ships from the shoreline, helping to keep crews safe, organised, and informed.
GALLERY
State-of-the-art Simulation
Vessel Traffic Services is our state of the art shore-side simulation system, providing some of our commercial marine courses. They let delegates practice a range of real life Vessel Traffic Services situations, from providing ships with simple information such as meteorological hazard warnings or the position of other traffic, to managing traffic extensively within a port or waterway.
Our VTS courses are ideal for merchant navy training. Our Kongsberg Norcontrol CScope VTS suite is fully integrated into the simulated bridges. This provides the opportunity to host port integrated courses in which the pilots, tug skippers and VTS operators from the same port can train together in their own simulated port exercise area. The Kongsberg Norcontrol CScope software is identical to that used in actual port VTS facilities.
Our VTS equipment
Our Vessel Traffic Services equipment includes:
- Four shore-based VTS Operator workstations get data input from radar scanners and AIS locations within the exercise area.
- Nine operators and up to two instructors can observe a birds-eye view of the VTS area of responsibility, and there is also a dedicated VTS Supervisor workstation.
- We use digital audio communications, capable of full recording and synchronisation within the exercise scenario for debrief purposes.
Success Story
“In an ever-changing marine world, new types of vessels and new berths are always arriving in all ports around the world. At Tees Bay Pilots, whenever we need to supplement our vast knowledge and experience with a particular new challenge, the team at the South Shields Marine School’s simulator is always on hand to support. The simulator also enables Tees Bay Pilots to carry out annual training, alongside VTS operatives and tug crews, practising certain manoeuvres, conditions and emergency scenarios.”