Balancing on the boundary: vessel traffic services in the maritime traffic system

Shore-based systems monitoring and interacting with maritime traffic have been established around the coast lines of the world since the mid-20th century. To provide harmonisation of these systems the International Maritime Organization and the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities have issued recommendations and guidelines for the establishment and operation of what is now called Vessel Traffic Services. Despite these efforts, studies have highlighted issues with the ability to form expectations about Vessel Traffic Services. In order to research what lies beneath the surface of these issues and how they can be overcome, three group interviews with a total of 24 Australian Vessel Traffic Services operators were conducted, using the concept of common ground as a framework guiding the study. Results suggest that existing bases for common ground, such as international recommendations and guidelines and local rules and procedures, are not always relied upon. Instead expectations are based on participants' nationality, language, professional background, and direct personal experiences. Results also indicate that Vessel Traffic Services often focus on activities related to port operations rather than vessel traffic, and that interpretations of the current traffic situation are not always based on the same information across participants in the Maritime Traffic System. To overcome these issues it is suggested that the establishment of reliable shared bases among participants in the Maritime Traffic System should be facilitated.