All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY |
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: |
Occupational Certificate: Vessel Traffic Services Operator |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
103273 | Occupational Certificate: Vessel Traffic Services Operator | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
Development Quality Partner-TETA | ||||
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
- | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
Occupational Certificate | Field 11 - Services | Transport, Operations and Logistics | ||
ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
Undefined | 168 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 05 | Regular-ELOAC |
REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
Reregistered | EXCO 0425/24 | 2018-09-12 | 2025-12-30 | |
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
2026-12-30 | 2029-12-30 |
In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise. |
This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. |
PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Vessel Traffic Services Operator. The Vessel Traffic Services Operator plans, organises and manages the human-, physical- and operational aspects of the Vessel Traffic Service Centre to improve the safety and efficiency of navigation, safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment and/or the adjacent shore area, worksites and offshore installations from possible adverse effects of maritime traffic. A qualified learner will be able to: Rationale: In recent years, there has been a rapid expansion in Vessel Traffic Services (VTSs), which has led to a significant increase in the number of VTS operators required worldwide. The services offered by VTSs vary considerably, and range from simple broadcasts of meteorological and hydrological information, through the exchange of information to sophisticated navigational advice and in circumstances where the authority exists, navigation-related instruction. The VTS traffic image is compiled and collected by means of advanced sensors such as radar, Automatic Identification System (AIS), direction finding, CCTV, and VHF or other co-operative systems and services. A modern VTS integrates all of the information into a single operator working environment for ease of use and in order to allow for effective traffic organisation and communication. A VTS should always have a comprehensive traffic image, which means that all factors influencing the traffic as well as information about all participating vessels and their intentions should be readily available. By means of the traffic image, situations that are developing can be evaluated and responded upon. The data evaluation depends to a great extent on the quality of the data that is collected and the ability of the operator to combine this with an actual or developing situation. The data dissemination process of conveying the conclusions of the operator exists. A major factor in the efficient operation of a VTS centre is the standard of competence of its personnel. Recognising that VTS personnel are members of a profession whose principle interaction is with mariners and maritime pilots for the safe management of maritime traffic, their competence needs to reflect that professional responsibility. VTS personnel should be capable of interacting with vessel traffic in a VTS area. All VTS personnel should be appropriately trained before they undertake the duties associated with the type of services provided such as Information Service (INS), Navigational Assistance Service (NAS) and/or Traffic Organisation Service (TOS). In order to carry out the duties required by a VTS Authority, VTS personnel should be appropriately trained and qualified to IALA V-103 standards. This means that VTS training is performed according to the Model Courses developed by International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). It is for the VTS Authority to ensure that appropriately trained personnel are available to undertake these commitments. In order to ensure that IALA standards for VTS training meet the appropriate level, the VTS training courses should be accredited by the Competent Authority. This should help to ensure the competence of personnel that occupy operational positions in a VTS Centre. |
LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
Knowledge Modules
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 34. Practical Skill Modules: Total Number of Credits for Practical Skill Module: 34. Work Experience Modules: Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 100. |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Ensure seamless traffic flow within port limits.
2. Take appropriate action to identify dangerous cargoes aboard vessels as per associated protocol. 3. Perform, co-ordinate and manage port-related duties as prescribed by national and international regulations and legislation. 4. Manage the receipt, analysis, and dissemination of shipping information. 5. Safeguard uncleared vessels entering port limits. 6. Identify incidents, emergency situations, and special circumstances and execute and manage contingency plans. 7. Ensure legal compliance within the port. |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7: Integrated Assessment: Internal Integrated Assessment: The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment. External Integrated Assessment: An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
VTS is governed by Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention Chapter V Regulation 12 together with the Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services [IMO Resolution A.857(20)] adopted by the International Maritime Organisation on 27 November 1997. This qualification is compared to international best practice and standards within the VTS zone. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
Horizontal Articulation:
This qualification articulates horizontally with the following qualification: Vertical Articulation: This qualification articulates vertically with the following qualification: |
MODERATION OPTIONS |
N/A |
CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
N/A |
NOTES |
Qualifying for external assessment:
An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. Additional legal or physical entry requirements: The entry requirements are prescribed by the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Recommendations and Guidelines. Further to the above requirement, the learner must have a current approved medical fitness and eye test certificate. Every candidate should: In order to maintain certification of VTS operational personnel, the VTS Authority should ensure that all operational personnel, under their jurisdiction, undergo an assessment at regular intervals. This could be in the form of a continual assessment at the VTS centre or a training organisation. If VTS operational personnel fail an assessment or have had a break in service, for whatever reason and a period as determined by the Competent/VTS Authority, the operator concerned may be required to undergo refresher training or certificate revalidation as deemed appropriate by the Competent Authority. Criteria for the accreditation of providers Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) website. The curriculum title and code is: Vessel Traffic Services Operator: 315041002. Encompassed Trades: This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD: This is not a trade qualification. Part Qualification None. |
LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
NONE |
PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: |
This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here. |
NONE |
All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |