Recalling IMO definition on "Navigational assistance service" given in Resolution A578 (14) ‘Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Services", adopted on 20 November 1985:
"A navigational assistance service is a service given at the request of a vessel or, if deemed necessary, by the VTS centre, and may include assistance to vessels in difficult navigational or meteorological circumstances or in case of defects or deficiencies."
Recalling the IMO definition on “Vessel Traffic Service” given in the resolution A.857(20) “Guidelines for Vessel Traffic Service” adopted in November 1997:
“A service implemented by a competent Authority, designed to improve safety and efficiency of vessel traffic and to protect the environment. The service should have the capability to interact with the traffic and respond to traffic situations developing in the VTS area.”
Recalling also that navigational assistance may require to give navigational advice with direct influence on the course to be steered or the speed or engine manoeuvres to be executed.
Recalling that navigational assistance, in pilotage waters and approaches, is usually and necessarily given to ships by pilots from pilotage station to ensure safety of navigation for pilot’s transfers on board ships on account of any weather conditions and traffic situations.
Recalling that navigational assistance provided by pilotage station or VTS Centre, cannot act as a substitute for piltage that is an assistance given to captains by licensed pilots actually on the bridge.
Recognizing that the establishment of a VTS Centre according to the IMO Guidelines improves safety of navigation and the flow of traffic in ports an approaches.
Bearing in mind that the pilots have an irreplaceable experience and the adequate technical competence for navigation matters in pilotage waters.
Taking into account that, in adverse weather conditions, it might be impossible for a pilot to embark or disembark at sea.
In such circumstances and at the request of the Master, a vessel may proceed with navigational assistance given by a licensed active pilot practising in the area, from shore-based radar observation or from an accompanying vessel, according to the local maritime traffic regulations.
In the interest of safety of navigation, EMPA therefore recommends:
to the competent administration concerned with VTS organisation to use pilot’s competence in order to give navigational assistance services to vessels in pilotage waters and approaches,
to pilots to co-operate with the Port authorities in VTS Centres to perform this task in the interest of maritime traffic,
to the competent administration that the primary language should be the appropriate local language of the area where the system is established, but English should be used where language difficulties exist
AGM - May 1991