Nominations are now open for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) 2020-21 Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) award.
The VTS Award was launched in December 2019 to recognise an outstanding contribution by a VTS to the safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation and protection of the marine environment, which is beyond their normal operational scope.
VTSs are like air traffic controllers for ships. They provide for the safe and efficient movement of ships and help prevent dangerous traffic situations. Occasionally VTSs play a key role in other rescue operations in and around their areas if responsibility.
The award provides national recognition to those involved in VTSs in Australia while also raising the profile of the 15 VTSs across Australia that manage traffic in ports and surrounding waterways, covering some 340,000 square kilometres of water.
The award also recognises VTS personnel and the important services they provide among stakeholders and wider industry.
Last year’s inaugural award went to Hay Point VTS Officer Warren Bath for his coordination of an incident involving a bulk carrier that had drifted off the berth in the middle of the night.
Mr Bath’s quick response ensured the ship was returned alongside with no damage to the bulk carrier, surrounding ships or the environment.
Port Headland VTS and Brisbane VTS were also highly commended for their work during search and rescue incidents in the 2019-20 awards.
Nominations for the 2020-21 VTS Award will be open from 1 October 2020 until 21 February 2021.
