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Harwich Haven Authority operates one of the most sophisticated Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) centres in the world. The result of a ?3.25 million programme of investment, its role is to offer traffic organisation and navigational assistance within its area of jurisdiction, co-ordinating shipping movements with berth allocation and the availability of other services such as towage and pilotage with which there is continuous contact. The Operations Centre, which was recently rebuilt to accommodate a new modular layout, is manned at all times by four VTS officers, including a duty officer, who is authorised to act as statutory harbourmaster for the purposes of issuing a Direction to a ship s master. The VTS team maintain 24-hour VHF radio cover and pass on information to vessels within the area. The service is based on four radar sites, with an integrated VHF radio system and CCTV network. The Operations Centre, in Navigation House, has its own emergency power supply for vital equipment and systems. The entire system has an emergency back-up at Harbour House, which can be run independently from the Operations Centre. Harwich Haven s VTS is at the heart of the Authority s day-to-day activities. Harbour control activities include keeping radar and radio watch and co-ordinating shipping movements; this management of vessel traffic involves the transit of some of the world s largest ships along a narrow tidal channel before they manoeuvre into berths. The Operations Centre also incorporates a separate Incident Control Room, which is equipped to deal with any maritime emergency. In March 2002, Harwich Haven Authority s high standard of service was recognised when it was appointed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency(MCA) to operate the VTS for the new Sunk Precautionary Area. Formally opened by Bill O Neil, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation, in summer 2002, the new Sunk VTS was set up after the creation of the Sunk Precautionary Area, to improve safety for the growing amount of shipping using the area. Harwich Haven Authority worked with the Port of London Authority (PLA) and Medway Ports to conduct marine risk assessments which, together with consultations with the UK Safety of Navigation Committee, demonstrated a need to improve safety of vessel traffic in the Sunk area, enhance co-operation between neighbouring VTS authorities and help in the protection of the marine environment. The Sunk VTS supplies an information service which includes reports on the position, identity and intentions of other traffic, waterway conditions, weather, hazards and any other factors that may influence a vessel s transit whether it is heading into the Haven ports, or passing through the Sunk area on the way to the Thames or Medway. VTS Training Harwich Haven Authority has played a key role in the development of a new training course for VTS (vessel traffic service) operators in the UK. Deputy harbourmaster, Capt Steve Furness, gained the very first V103/1 certificate to be issued. This was formally presented to him by Bill O Neil, secretary general of the International Maritime Organisation, who praised Harwich Haven Authority for leading the way in VTS training. Capt Furness was a driving force behind the development of the new course at South Tyneside College, and then became the first student to complete the training. Before the development of this course, there was no universally recognised qualification for VTS operators in the UK, which differs from other countries in that it has a number of statutory harbour authorities each responsible for separate coastal areas rather than having a national VTS regime. After a seminar held by Trinity House to discuss VTS training following the development of the V103 standard, the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)set out the basis of recruitment, training and career progression for VTS operators. Representatives of the UK port trade associations were subsequently involved in meetings co-ordinated by Harwich Haven Authority, and agreement was reached that the new V103 course should be developed in the UK. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) took on the responsibility of competent VTS authority for the UK, and the course developed by South Tyneside was accredited in November 2000. All of Harwich Haven Authority s VTS operators are now qualified to V103/1. A VTS supervisors course, V103/2, is expected to come into operation in summer 2002. Harwich Haven Authority operates one of the most sophisticated Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) centres in the world. Harwich Haven Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)