VTS Emergency and Contingency Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a mass casualty event aboard a passenger ferry, VTS should coordinate with all of the following EXCEPT:
- Coast Guard Sector Command
- Marine rescue coordination center
- Vessel's flag state classification society (Correct answer)
- Local emergency management agency
Correct answer: Vessel's flag state classification society
The classification society has no role in immediate emergency response; Coast Guard, rescue coordination, and emergency management are the key coordinating entities.
Question 2: A vessel reports a man overboard in the VTS area. What is the FIRST action VTS should take?
- Broadcast a securite message to all vessels in the area (Correct answer)
- Contact the vessel's agent to notify the owner
- Immediately dispatch a VTS patrol vessel
- Wait for the reporting vessel to confirm position
Correct answer: Broadcast a securite message to all vessels in the area
Broadcasting a securite message alerts nearby vessels who may be closest and able to assist with the search and rescue.
Question 3: Which radio channel is designated as the international distress, safety, and calling frequency for VHF marine radio?
- Channel 16 (Correct answer)
- Channel 22A
- Channel 13
- Channel 67
Correct answer: Channel 16
VHF Channel 16 is the international distress, safety, and calling frequency that all vessels must monitor and VTS uses for emergency communications.
Question 4: A vessel loses radar contact with VTS during dense fog in a high-traffic area. What should VTS do immediately?
- Wait for the vessel to reestablish contact independently
- Notify the vessel by radio and advise it to proceed to anchorage until contact is restored
- Broadcast a navigational warning to all traffic in the area (Correct answer)
- Contact the vessel's agent for assistance
Correct answer: Broadcast a navigational warning to all traffic in the area
Broadcasting a navigational warning alerts all vessels in the fog to the degraded VTS surveillance capability so they take extra precautions.
Question 5: When a vessel declares a 'PAN-PAN' urgency message, what level of emergency does this indicate?
- Immediate danger to life or vessel requiring immediate assistance
- An urgent situation that is serious but not immediately life-threatening (Correct answer)
- A routine safety announcement to nearby traffic
- A hazard to navigation such as an unlit obstruction
Correct answer: An urgent situation that is serious but not immediately life-threatening
PAN-PAN indicates an urgent situation requiring assistance but not yet at the level of imminent danger to life, which would be MAYDAY.
Question 6: What is a VTS operator's role during a vessel bomb threat evacuation?
- VTS has no role and should not interfere
- Coordinate traffic to clear the area and ensure emergency vessel access routes are open (Correct answer)
- Board the vessel to assist with the evacuation
- Contact the media to issue public warnings
Correct answer: Coordinate traffic to clear the area and ensure emergency vessel access routes are open
VTS coordinates maritime traffic to clear the affected area and keep emergency response corridors open for law enforcement and rescue vessels.
Question 7: Under what circumstances should a VTS operator issue a 'Vessel Traffic Advisory' during an emergency?
- Only after the emergency has been resolved
- When conditions exist that could endanger vessels not directly involved in the emergency (Correct answer)
- Only when instructed by port authority
- Whenever a vessel reports any deficiency
Correct answer: When conditions exist that could endanger vessels not directly involved in the emergency
A Vessel Traffic Advisory is issued when an emergency creates hazardous conditions that could affect other traffic not directly involved in the incident.
VTS Emergency and Contingency Procedures 3
During a mass casualty event aboard a passenger ferry, VTS should coordinate with all of the following EXCEPT: