The discrepancy between standardised communication patterns and the real-life conversations of vessel traffic service: a case study in Chittagong Port, Bangladesh

In 2001, the International Maritime Organization developed Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP), which contained the communication protocols for vessel traffic services (VTS). However, there are conflicting findings whether SMCP should be rigorously followed in VTS communications. To address this controversy, the real-life conversation features in the VTS of Chittagong Port, Bangladesh, were compared with those of SMCP to identify similarities and differences. The researcher used a qualitative research design by visiting the VTS centre of Chittagong Port and recording port radio channels 12 and 16 for 3 days and then transcribed the data to analyse by codes and themes. The results of this study showed that in 35% of the cases, the conversation features corresponded to SMCP patterns, while in 65% of the situations, there were deviations. The features that matched with SMCP were fundamental for radio communication, whereas in the cases of deviations, the language used was similar to ordinary spoken English. The use of everyday conversational English in SMCP deviations suggests that maritime students need to master both ordinary spoken English and SMCP skills. The results of this research can benefit foreign seafarers, apprentice cadets and Bangladeshi maritime authorities to understand the patterns of English communication exchanged in Chittagong VTS and to pursue a more effective communication policy in the future.