VTS Safety & Emergency Response Operations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A vessel reports a man overboard in your VTS area. What is the FIRST action a VTS operator should take?
- Broadcast an urgent marine information broadcast to all vessels in the area
- Contact the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center immediately (Correct answer)
- Direct the reporting vessel to mark the position and initiate a search
- Log the incident and wait for further information from the vessel
Correct answer: Contact the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center immediately
The VTS operator's first action for a man overboard is to alert the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center (RCC), which has authority and resources to coordinate SAR operations.
Question 2: Under 33 CFR Part 161, which communication channel is designated as the primary working channel for VTS in U.S. waters?
- VHF-FM Channel 16
- VHF-FM Channel 13
- The channel specified for each VTS area in the relevant CFR section (Correct answer)
- VHF-FM Channel 22A
Correct answer: The channel specified for each VTS area in the relevant CFR section
Each VTS area has its own designated working channel(s) specified in 33 CFR Part 161, which vary by port and geographic location.
Question 3: A vessel reports a hazardous material spill in the harbor. Which agency must a VTS operator notify in addition to the Coast Guard?
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Response Center (Correct answer)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Department of Transportation Pipeline division
- State Department of Commerce
Correct answer: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Response Center
The National Response Center (NRC), operated by the EPA, is the federally designated reporting point for all hazardous substance releases into U.S. navigable waters.
Question 4: During a SAR operation, the On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) role is BEST described as:
- The senior Coast Guard officer at the Rescue Coordination Center
- The person designated to coordinate SAR activities at the scene of a distress (Correct answer)
- The VTS operator managing traffic during the incident
- The master of the vessel in distress
Correct answer: The person designated to coordinate SAR activities at the scene of a distress
The On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) is the person designated to coordinate SAR operations at the scene and may be the master of the first vessel to arrive.
Question 5: A vessel aground in the channel has created a complete block. What type of broadcast should the VTS immediately issue?
- Safety call (SECURITE) on Channel 16 followed by the working channel (Correct answer)
- Distress relay (MAYDAY RELAY) on Channel 16
- Urgency signal (PAN-PAN) on Channel 16
- Routine marine information broadcast on the working channel only
Correct answer: Safety call (SECURITE) on Channel 16 followed by the working channel
A navigational hazard such as a vessel blocking a channel requires a SECURITE safety broadcast on Channel 16, then repeated on the working channel.
Question 6: Which document serves as the primary reference for VTS operators when responding to a mass casualty incident involving a passenger vessel?
- The vessel's certificate of inspection
- The Area Maritime Security Plan (AMSP)
- The VTS Area Contingency Plan and relevant SAR plans (Correct answer)
- The vessel's safety management system manual
Correct answer: The VTS Area Contingency Plan and relevant SAR plans
The VTS Area Contingency Plan, combined with applicable SAR plans such as the SAR Addendum to the Area Contingency Plan, guides response to mass casualty events.
Question 7: A vessel reports taking on water rapidly and the crew is preparing to abandon ship. The VTS operator should relay which radio signal to all traffic?
- SECURITE — safety message for navigational hazard
- PAN-PAN — urgency signal indicating serious danger
- MAYDAY RELAY — retransmitting distress from a vessel in grave and imminent danger (Correct answer)
- SAR SITREP — routine SAR situation report
Correct answer: MAYDAY RELAY — retransmitting distress from a vessel in grave and imminent danger
When a vessel faces grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance, the VTS retransmits their distress as a MAYDAY RELAY on behalf of the distressed vessel.
VTS Safety & Emergency Response Operations 2
A vessel reports a man overboard in your VTS area.
What is the FIRST action a VTS operator should take?