Communicating with VTS via VHF: an approach to teaching the essentials for successful communication in English based on the recommendations in the SMCP and proposed from the perspective of VTS

Abstract

: This session will present ideas of how to prepare future nautical officers for VHF communication with VTS or MRC Centres as part of the Maritime English curriculum. It will refer to the SMCP as the basis for clear and unambiguous communication between a vessel and a shore station. It will introduce the essential communicative situations together with ideas for selecting the key vocabulary, language structures and communication control devices. It will also present ideas for teaching the presented material. The focus will be on the perspective or expectations of a VTS Operator when called by a Master.