Amy Teixeira moves between the telescope in the control tower and the digital map that provides radar-linked images to her computer screen. She is a vessel traffic controller (VTC) supervising the entry of a $20 million cruise ship into the Cape Town harbour. One of the notorious Cape storms is brewing. Her focus is absolute as she instructs the ship’s captain and the port pilot, who are responsible together with her to ensure that no mishaps occur to compromise the vessel’s safety, endangering the lives of passengers and crew.

“It’s always more difficult when the weather is changing,” she says, lifting her eyes from the screen after the ship is safely docked, sighing with relief. “When things get hectic, it’s very stressful,” she says. Once her watch is over, she shifts her attention to my interview.

On 1 November 2003, Amy became the first woman in Cape Town to be appointed to this position. A mother of five, she comes from the Western Cape Coloured community. “It’s a big achievement,” says her proud husband, Tex, who is also a VTC.

Basics

Also known as a marine traffic controller or, in other countries, a coast guard, vessel traffic controllers do the equivalent work at a port or harbour that air traffic controllers do at an airport. VTC’s are remunerated in a range of between R130 000 to R160 000 per annum, depending on their experience and qualifications. They receive night-shift allowances and the standard benefits offered to all State employees.

Job description

The list of tasks Amy does is lengthy, and includes providing authorised information and instructions to vessels appropriate to the level of service required; to decide on the actions to be taken in response to data received on marine traffic and to communicate as necessary with vessels within the defined area of the Vessel Traffic Scheme (VTS). She operates equipment for communications, data collection, data analysis and for establishing a traffic image using radar and Automatic Identification System (AIS). When vessels require specific information, it’s Amy’s job to transmit it to them. In essence she has to prevent a traffic jam and must respond appropriately in emergency situations. This involves regulating the lights, giving traffic

Required studies or experience

“According to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers, VTC personnel can be recruited without previous maritime experience. A valid VTC certificate, issued by a competent authority is required, and re-assessment is done on an annual basis. This certification is recognised internationally, as procedures worldwide are essentially similar. Different levels of certification are available, eg. Radio Ticket, VTC certificate, Radar Operation, Electronic Navigation System certificate, and AIS training. You also need a Voice Clinic certificate for clear vocal communication, and computer literacy is essential.”

Personality types

“You must be friendly and respectful, but also assertive,” says Amy. “You can’t be a push-over and you must try especially hard when there are communication difficulties with non-English speakers. That can be frustrating. You need to be hyper alert and observant, willing to listen to criticism, so you can improve your efficiency as a VTC. You need to be able to multi-task.” She laughs. “Being a mother helps with that!”

An average day

“Shipping is always changing. I’m here to respond to the ships, craft, yachts, trawlers, and tugs, to receive and process their radio communications,” says Amy. “Every day is a different journey for me, never a destination. My job is a way of exploring what God sends me. The task is always to do my best, to serve, to rise above the challenges of ‘non-addressable casualties’, the things that are beyond my control.”

The best and worst things about the job

“The things I can’t prevent - a fire on board, a drowning, human tragedies because of inclement weather; they’re heart-breaking. But preventable things, like collisions or groundings, these can happen because of human negligence. It’s a terrible responsibility.”

By contrast, when Amy goes off shift and everything had gone smoothly; no drama, no trauma because she did her job well, she says, “That is a quiet exhilaration I truly cherish.”

Liesl Jobson