An Analysis of the Relative Importance of Modules for Vessel Traffic Services Operator Training

The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities(IALA) model course recommends specific aspects of basic curriculums for Vessel Traffic Services(VTS) operator education such as modules, course hours, contents, etc. Most domestic training programs for newly appointed VTS operators comply with such recommendations. The objective of this study is to determine whether such modules for VTS operator training recommended by the current IALA model course correspond to the actual opinions of VTS operators who are currently working in the field. To this end, the relative importance of basic modules for vessel traffic services operator training was analyzed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP) method. A questionnaire was designed to include 8 modules recommended by the IALA model course, and the survey results of 52 individuals working at 5 VTS centers were analyzed. The result showed that, unlike the assumption by the IALA, domestic VTS operators viewed Nautical Knowledge as the most important modules, followed by Emergency Situations, Traffic Management, Language, Equipment, VHF Radio, Communication Co-ordination, and Personal Attributes, in that order.