Proceedings: Symposium on Piloting and VTS Systems.
Abstract
The Maritime Transportation Research Board (MTRB) established a committee to identify the research needed to reduce maritime collisions, rammings, and groundings. This request was in keeping with the continuing responsibility of the Coast Guard to ensure marine safety. The early discussions of the Committee on Maritime Collisions, Rammings, and Groundings, which included shipping, pilot, union, and Coast Guard representatives, highlighted the intensity of the controversy over piloting and vessel traffic service (VTS) systems. To augment the committee's deliberations and provide a neutral forum for the discussion of the issues, the MTRB decided to hold a symposium. Increased public sensitivity to maritime accidents and attendant actual, or assumed, environmental pollution has brought under question, among other things, the roles, responsibilities, and competencies of vessel pilots. With the hope that regulating traffic flow would recude casualties, the Coast Guard was asked to establish VTS systems in several U.S. ports. The changes in traditional maritime roles and practices that have resulted from public questions or directions have proven highly controversial. As a result, some ports have experienced the maritime equivalent of civil disobediance. Although no issues were resolved at the symposium, extensive interest in the proceedings has been shown by individuals throughout the industry and government.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA084434
Entities
Organizations
- National Research Council