National Occupational Standards (NOS)

National Occupational Standards (NOS) define ‘industry best practice’ in the performance of key job roles within a modern port environment. The standards separate each role into units of activity, that state how the task should be carried out, with the employee demonstrating their competence and knowledge, including the health and safety requirements an employee would need to meet whilst undertaking that activity.

The standards have been specifically designed to reflect the hazardous nature of port operations. They can be used as a benchmark to measure how safely, and effectively, employees are working and also in the design of group and ‘one to one’ training to further develop performance.

Document templates and guidance for using the National Occupational Standards for assessment, appraisal and the preparation of job descriptions can be found on the Port Skills and Safety website.

For further information on how to use the standards, please email: info@portskillsandsafety.co.uk.

National Occupational Standards exist for a number of roles, please click on the relevant link below to see them in more detail:

Port Operations

Includes stevedoring, marine operations, passenger operations, general port operations and team leading.

Supervision of Port Operations

Includes stevedoring supervision, marine supervision, passenger supervision and general supervision.

Vessel Traffic Services Operations

Often part of a larger team, the ‘VTS operative’ is responsible for co-ordinating the movement of all vessels within the harbour area and ensuring a safe passage without risk of collision with other vessels or shore installations. The role requires the use of electronic tracking systems and various types of communications equipment.

Marine Pilotage

Includes planning an act of pilotage, embarking / disembarking, assessing standards on the piloted vessel, co-operation with the bridge team, liaising / communicating with the port, transiting the pilotage district, manoeuvring vessels in harbours and their approaches, reacting and responding to problems and emergency situations and people management.

Harbour Master

Cover the competencies to ensure the safe navigation and use of the harbour.  The role will vary depending upon the size of the harbour and the type of vessels using it, but it will normally include people management, financial management, pilotage provision and leisure use.

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