Background of the Study

1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

In the modern era, sea transportation is equipped with the modern communication equipment. Besides modern equipment, seafarers need a specific communication for greater safety of navigation like berthing and unberthing. Seafarers have a specific language for the communication between vessel and coast station and between vessel and vessel, called Standard Marine Communication and Phrases SMCP. The Standard Marine Communication and Phrases have been compiled to achieve greater safety of the navigation and handling ship and to standardize the language used in communication for navigation at sea. According to International Maritime Organization IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases 1997, these phrases correspond with International Regulations 1972 for preventing collision at sea or special local rules or recommendations made by IMO concerning ship’s route. The following is the example of communication between pilot and master in the seafarers training centre at Semarang Growth Centre. Master : Tanjung Emas Vessel Traffic Service VTS. 3 times This is Jakarta Senator calling on channel 12. How do you read me ? over. VTS : Jakarta Senator. 3 times This is Tanjung Emas Vessel Traffic Service I read you loud and clear, over. Master : Tanjung Emas Vessel Traffic Service . Motor vessel Jakarta Senator. I have arrived at Pilot waiting area at 10:05 local time, over . VTS : Motor vessel Jakarta Senator Tanjung Emas Vessel Traffic Service. Pilot boat is proceeding you. Please change to channel 09 to contact pilot boat. Master : Tanjung Emas Vessel Traffic Service. Motor vessel Jakarta Senator. I change to channel 09 to contact pilot boat, over and out. Pilot boat. 3 times . This is motor vessel Jakarta Senator calling you on channel 09. How do you read me ? over. Pilot : Motor vessel Jakarta Senator. 3 times This is Tanjung Emas pilot boat What is the present position? over. Master : Tanjung Emas pilot boat. Motor vessel Jakarta Senator. My present position is at Pilot waiting area, over. Pilot : Motor vessel Jakarta Senator. Tanjung Emas pilot boat. I am proceeding you. My present position at the harbour entrance. Please port side pilot ladder one metre above water, over. Master : Tanjung Emas pilot boat. Motor vessel Jakarta Senator. Okay, port side pilot ladder one metre above water, thank you. Besides Standard Marine Communication and Phrases as verbal communication, seafarers use code of signals as non verbal communication for giving signals to other ships related to safety at sea.

1.2 Reasons for Choosing The Topic