VTS Communication Procedures & Protocols 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A vessel is transiting a VTS area and its AIS transponder fails. What must the operator do?
- Anchor immediately until AIS is repaired
- Notify VTS and maintain enhanced radio watch on the designated VTS channel (Correct answer)
- Proceed without reporting as long as radar is operational
- Contact the nearest vessel for an escort
Correct answer: Notify VTS and maintain enhanced radio watch on the designated VTS channel
Loss of AIS must be reported to VTS; the vessel must maintain enhanced radio contact to compensate for the loss of automatic position reporting.
Question 2: When a VTS operator issues a 'VTS Information' message, what type of authority does it carry?
- Mandatory — vessels must comply
- Advisory — vessels receive guidance but retain decision authority (Correct answer)
- Regulatory — carries force of federal law
- Conditional — applies only if visibility is below 1 mile
Correct answer: Advisory — vessels receive guidance but retain decision authority
VTS Information is advisory in nature; vessel masters retain the conn and are responsible for their own navigation decisions.
Question 3: Which phonetic alphabet word represents the digit '9'?
- Nine
- Niner (Correct answer)
- November
- Novem
Correct answer: Niner
The digit 9 is spoken as 'Niner' in aviation and maritime radio to prevent confusion with the German word 'nein' (no).
Question 4: What does a VTS operator mean when they tell a vessel to 'standby' on a VHF channel?
- Switch to Channel 16 immediately
- Anchor and await further orders
- Remain on the current channel and await further communication (Correct answer)
- Reduce speed to bare steerage way
Correct answer: Remain on the current channel and await further communication
'Standby' instructs the vessel to remain listening on the current channel until called.
Question 5: In VTS operations, what is a 'Vessel Traffic Service Instruction' (VTSI)?
- A recommendation issued to improve efficiency
- A mandatory directive that a vessel must comply with under applicable law (Correct answer)
- A weather briefing formatted for marine radio
- An advisory concerning port congestion
Correct answer: A mandatory directive that a vessel must comply with under applicable law
A VTSI is a mandatory directive; failure to comply may result in legal action under applicable navigation regulations.
Question 6: A tanker approaching port reports a hazardous cargo spill. Which urgency signal should precede the radio message?
- Securite
- Mayday
- Pan-Pan (Correct answer)
- Silence Mayday
Correct answer: Pan-Pan
Pan-Pan is the urgency signal for situations that are serious but not immediately life-threatening, such as a contained spill.
Question 7: Under 33 CFR Part 161, what is the primary responsibility of a VTS operator during a navigational incident?
- Command the vessel to take specific action
- Provide timely, accurate traffic information to assist vessel operators (Correct answer)
- Alert the media and port authority simultaneously
- Transfer control of the vessel to a harbor pilot
Correct answer: Provide timely, accurate traffic information to assist vessel operators
33 CFR 161 establishes that VTS operators provide traffic information; the vessel master retains command responsibility.
VTS Communication Procedures & Protocols 4
A vessel is transiting a VTS area and its AIS transponder fails.
What must the operator do?