The context matters: Maritime safety in the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Domain

Paper in proceeding, 2010

Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is a service to the maritime community implemented to promote and improve maritime safety. In recent years VTS has become a topic of increased interest for maritime stakeholders and the general public. To derive insights on how maritime safety is constructed in the VTS domain this exploratory study was conducted. Four VTS centres were visited and 15 VTS operators were interviewed and observed at work. Further, a focus group interview with 8 VTS operators with focus on decision support tools in the VTS domain was conducted. The results of the study indicate that VTS operators define maritime safety as context-dependent a condition which is formed by their individual actions. Regulations and guidelines exist, but do not shape the daily work of the operators as much as their own experience and expertise. Safety arises in the interaction between the individual actor and others; it is influenced by contextual aspects, such as traffic density or weather conditions, rather than by what is stated by the regulating organisation.