Members’ Handbook       MVS 003 

 My name:                     Jack Tar-Barrel

 MVS membership number:  10811Y

 My MVS unit:        Wandsworth

Amendment Record

 Original 31Oct.2002, Revision1: 29Feb2004,  Revision2: 30Nov2005

page2.)

Contents

Foreword

1. The Service, its Origins and Objectives

 2. The Status of the Service

2.1 Charitable Status

2.2 Company Limited by Guarantee

2.3 MVS Operations Ltd.

3. What the MVS can offer  

3.1 Opportunities to do useful work in a maritime environment

3.2 Acquisition of useful skills within a competence-based environment

3.3 Involvement in training and exercises

3.4 The opportunity for meeting new friends and good companionship

 4. What the MVS expects from its Members

4.1 A Regular Commitment

4.2 Uniform

4.3 Code of Discipline

4.4 Ceremonial

 5. The MVS National Organisation

5.1 The National Structure

5.2 The Management Structure

5.3 Specialist Committees

5.4 The Roles of the Area and Regional Staff

 6. Own Area and Regional Structure

6.1 Area and Regional Staff Officers

6.2 Units within your Region and their Roles

7. Own Unit Structure

7.1 Specialisations

7.2 Head of Unit and Key Personnel

7.3 Unit Logistics

7.4 Subscriptions, local Fund Raising, Insurance

7.5 Training Opportunities and Programme

8. Qualifications, Grades and Training

8.1 National Training Standards

8.2 Competence-based Qualifications

8.3 Relationship between qualifications and grades

8.4 Maritime Foundation Course

8.5 Cross-training

9. List of Abbreviations

page3.)

Foreword

This Handbook, MVS 003, is issued to all members of City of London Unit of the Maritime Volunteer Service to provide a ready-reference document, which will enable them to play a fuller part in the activities of the Maritime Volunteer Service, by properly and unambiguously  understanding its objects and organisation. It is the text book for City of London Unit New Entry Course.  Relevant blank pages are expected to be filled in or completed by the intending member during this Course. Whilst making reference to the MVS Policies & Procedures Manual [MVS  001] this handbook in no way supersedes or replaces the instructions in that Manual. In the event of a contradiction, MVS001 takes precedence.

 There have been a number of significant developments in the Service during the past year or two and particularly in recent months. This handbook strives to keep everybody singing the same hymn from the same hymn-sheet and in the same key.  All City of London members are urged to spend the time necessary to read and assimilate the contents of this handbook, and to keep themselves up to date with any changes that may be made to it. 

 Here we pay tribute to Haydn Chapell who was fully responsible for the production of MVS003 in spite of the credit being laid elsewhere. As always, City of London unit has a finger on the pulse and recognises the sterling work done by HC in very trying circumstances. The unit is also grateful to HC for the production of Task-Book MVS009 which City of London unit has adopted totally without question as its training  manual.

page4.)

1. The Service, its Origins and Objectives.

 1.1. The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) was founded in 1994 by a dedicated and enthusiastic group of people, backed by an influential patronage, who all believe passionately in the importance of maritime skills and their wide application. The need for an organisation like the MVS has arisen from the steady decline in the Royal and Merchant Navies, the almost total loss of our fishing fleets under European legislation, and the loss of trained seafarers from the Naval Reserves.

 1.2. The determination of the MVS to redress this situation and to provide national qualifications in seamanship, navigation, marine engineering and shore support has won the recognition of the Royal Navy & the backing of such maritime authorities including the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), Port and Harbour authorities and shipping companies.

 1.3. The Service is a civilian, uniformed team of men and women drawn from all walks of life. They share a common interest in the sea and its environs. They are dedicated to maintain, foster and pass on the maritime skills which are an essential part of our island Nation’s history and our future way of life, and to provide a source of trained personnel to assist the maritime and civil authorities in the event of a marine emergency. Members are trained to assist in routine surveillance as well as maritime emergencies, both afloat and ashore, based on the Training Units located around the UK coast. Our reputation is growing with each maritime exercise, as the emergency services and local authorities see the standard of the MVS member who can be called in to help.

 1.4. The MVS is part of a distinguished band of voluntary organisations such as the RNLI with a role to play in marine emergencies and other voluntary bodies who are  keeping maritime traditions alive, such as the Sea Cadets and the Sea Scouts.

 1.5. The 'objects' of the MVS are defined in the Articles of Association and listed in POL001 of MVS001

 1. To advance the education and training of the public and particularly younger members of the public in all aspects of maritime skills and knowledge.  

2. To stimulate the interest of young people within the United Kingdom and to encourage them to go to sea.

 3. To encourage the development of better systems, equipment and training to improve health and safety in ships registered in or operating from the United Kingdom.

 4. To establish and maintain a corps of skilled, uniformed volunteers throughout the United Kingdom as a sea-faring ‘afloat and ashore’ service available on request [as]  maritime support to existing authorities. 

page5.)

 

2. The Status of the Service.

 2.1 Charitable Status - Charity Number: 1048454.

 2.1.1. Like every other organisation, the MVS needs funding in order to undertake the work required to achieve the objectives. Our recognition by the Ministry of Defence (Royal Navy) does not bring any financial support with it, but, at the same time, it does not bring any control by the RN. Thus, the Service’s funds must be raised by the members, and this can best be done as a Registered Charity. Our primary task is to help and train others, which makes us a suitable candidate for charitable status. We can also seek grants and sponsorship from Trusts, Companies and individuals.

 2.1.2. As a Registered Charity, we have to work within the rules laid down by the Charity Commission, and our books are available to the general public for scrutiny. Thus, all MVS funds must be properly accounted, with adequate records being maintained both at Headquarters and at Unit level.

 2.1.3. MVS affairs are controlled by a Council of Trustees.  

2.2 Company Limited by Guarantee - Company Number: 3003565.

 2.2.1. In order to be seen to operate properly as a national organisation, and to limit the liability of members in the event of the Service closing down, the MVS is incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Again, this means that our accounts have to be lodged at Companies’ House, and they are available for scrutiny by the general public.

 2.2.2. As a Limited Company, the affairs are governed by a Board of Directors. The Trustees, consisting of the elected Officers and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Council, are also the Directors of the Company. The Senior Staff Officers, including the Company Secretary, are ex-officio members of the Council, but they are not Directors of the Company, and they have no vote in the Council.

 2.3 MVS Operations Ltd.

 2.3.1. The Service also operates a trading company, MVS Operations Ltd, for the supply of uniform, badges and other merchandise to members, and the possibility of expanding the activities of this subsidiary are currently being studied. However, since the Company Limited by Guarantee is legally entitled to trade, MVS Operations Ltd is currently dormant.

page6.)

3. What the MVS offers.

 3.1 Opportunities to do useful work in a maritime environment.

 3.1.1. Each locality is unique, and each unit develops its own role within that community. There are opportunities to help the local maritime authorities, such as the local port company or Harbourmaster, with routine patrol activities outside normal working hours, when water sports tend to flourish, and to assist the local water sports clubs and yacht clubs.

 3.1.2. There are also opportunities to assist the authorities during emergencies, such as floods or pollution problems, including participation in major incidents, involving national bodies. These opportunities are not limited to the marine environment, and local authorities are just as grateful for trained personnel in the event of exercises or emergencies.

 3.1.3. It is essential that every member is aware of what is happening in their own unit, and all should be on the lookout for potential opportunities.

 3.2 Acquisition of useful skills within the competence-based environment.

 3.2.1. All MVS training programmes are being re-designed around the concept of Competence-Based Training, [as] developed by RNLI  and with their approval. The MVS Training Team is indebted to Lt Cdr Dan Nicholson RN (Retd), former Operations Training Manager for the RNLI, whose help and advice has been invaluable.

 3.2.2. MVS is a recognised Training School under the banner of the Royal Yachting Association, initially for the provision of shore-based courses. It is intended that this will be extended to cover practical courses in the future. RYA has recently done a complete revision of its  courses, [which] are now more relevant to MVS needs. Skills acquired through MVS are fully transferable into other appropriate fields, and the possession of these qualifications demonstrates skills which can be useful in a variety of situations.

 3.3 Involvement in training and exercises.

 3.3.1. MVS provides a structured training scheme to meet the needs of the Service and those organisations with which the Service works. The scheme is specifically designed to provide flexibility and to build on existing knowledge and qualifications.

 3.4 The opportunity for meeting new friends and good companionship.

 3.4.1. Everything that we do should improve our quality of life, and our spare time activities should be enjoyable and worthwhile. The MVS provides this through the medium of the sea, and encourages a sense of good comradeship, teamwork and leadership skills.

page7.)

 4. What the Maritime Volunteer Service expects:

 4.1  Regular Commitment.

4.1.1. To gain anything from a structured organisation or training scheme, a regular commitment is important. Job patterns & family responsibilities mean that not all members will be able to attend every training session, but members should make the effort to attend at least 20 training sessions and 4 days’ sea or exercise training every year, which may be regarded as the minimum for List A members. Involvement in extra activities and social events is also important where possible.

  4.1.4. For ease of reference, the List structure can be summarised as follows: -

 List A - “Active” ages 18 to 65 on entry, serving until age 70;

List B - “Back-up” ages 55 to 70 on entry, no upper age limit;

List S - “Supporters” age 18, with no upper limit;

List T - “Temporary” for specific training or courses;

List C - “Corporate” for supporting organisations.

 4.1.5. Further details can be found in the MVS Policies and Procedures, Policy Number POL101, and the statement on the Service Commitment can be found in Policy Number POL102.

 4.2 Uniform.

4.2.1. The MVS is a uniformed organisation, and all members on Lists A and B are required to provide minimum items of uniform and wear  them smartly. Style of uniform is based on that worn by the Royal and Merchant Navies for the very good reason that it is practical.

 4.2.2. A uniform indicates a common sense of belonging and members are visibly of one company. As an outward sign of our standards, it should be worn correctly and with pride.

 page8.)

 4.3 Code of Discipline.

4.3.1. Any organisation must have a system which governs the way it works and which is available to all its members. An organisation without such a system would soon degenerate into a rabble. A set of Regulations has been developed for the good order and smooth running of the Service, and all members must work within these Rules.

 4.3.2. Within any voluntary organisation, there must be an acceptance to work within the rules and in the MVS, as a uniformed service operating at times in the public eye, willingness to apply self-discipline is essential.

 4.3.3. A voluntary Code of Discipline has been developed which members accept they will observe when they join the Service. Sanctions are applied through peer pressure, with the ultimate one being an invitation to leave the Service.

 4.4 Ceremonial.                     Please note that the London unit does not stand on ceremony but respects the MVS dress code as follows.

 In the London unit, 'members on duty' are expected but not obliged to wear all or any of navy cargoes, navy sweater, blue or white shirt all with  epaulettes to hold their rank sliders.  Informally, members will be facilitated in the acquisition of MVS motiffed clothing at the going rate or may have their own garments motiffed (also at the going rate) unless such garments are totally inappropriate to the image we wish to project as a unit. It is deemed understood that we operate in a unique glare of publicity and our unit serves a population of some 12,000,000 people. It is important that we be seen to be unified and identifiable, without being interpreted as 'military' or 'naval'. We are comfortable to walk a thin line!   

 4.4.3. Those units that choose to march in public parades will need a greater degree of competence than the minimum required and must be able to:  Please note that within the London unit it is an individual matter whether to conform or comply with provision 4.4.3.

page9.)

5. The MVS as a National Organisation.

 5.1 The National Structure.

 

5.1.1.  MVS is a national body,  with headquarters currently at Swan Cottage, Holt End Lane, Bentworth, Hampshire GU34 5LB.

 5.1.2. The staff at headquarters consists of the Chief Staff Officer (CSO), the Company Secretary and the Registrar.

 5.1.3. The country is divided into areas, each headed by a volunteer Area Staff Officer (ASO). Each area is further sub-divided into regions, headed by a Regional Volunteer Officer (RVO), elected by the Heads of Units in the Region. Each RVO is responsible for up to five Units, each led by an elected Head of Unit (HoU).

 5.1.4. Policy Number POL003 shows the structure in a diagram which is copied below:

MVS National Organisation: Vice-Patrons, Vice-Presidents, Governors, Fund Raising & PR Committee, Finance Committee

Area Specialist, Staff Officers, Area Staff Officer

Regional Volunteers and Specialist Staff including Deputy RVOs (rare)

Regional Fund Raising Chairman

Unit,  Head of Unit,  Deputy Head of Unit, Unit Fund Raising,

Unit Chairman, Unit Secretary, Unit Treasurer, Unit Head of Seamanship, Unit Head of Engineering,  Unit Head of Shore-Support

Port Volunteer Officer Regional Volunteer Officers Area Staff Officer  Area Staff Officer  Chief Staff Officer Committee of Management

MVS Treasurer MVS Registrar MVS Secretary MVS Council Prince Michael of Kent Royal Patron

 

5.2. Specialist committees

 

Finance Fund Raising and Public Relations

Future Policy Committee

Training Standards Committee

Craft and Technical Committee

Committee of Management

COUNCIL

 

 

 

page10.)

5.3 The Management Structure.

 

5.3.1. The policy-making body with overall responsibility for the Service is the Council. It is headed by a Chairman and consists of  elected Trustees and RVOs, with the Company Secretary, CSO, Registrar and ASOs as ex-officio, non-voting members.

 
5.3.2. Council is supported by a number of specialist committees covering different areas. Senior committee is Committee of Management, dealing with the routine operation of the Service, and monitoring the activities of the Finance, Future Policy, Training Standards, Public Relations and Fund Raising, and Craft Technical Committees. See the diagram above.

 
5.3.3. Each craft owned by the MVS is managed by its own committee at Unit, Region or Area level as appropriate. National Craft and Technical Committee sets ops. standards and provides technical advice as required.

 

5.4 The Roles of the Area and Regional Staff.

5.4.1. The Area Staff Officers are responsible to the CSO for ensuring that the professional standards of training are achieved and maintained, and also for advising Council on operational matters.

 5.4.2. Regional Volunteer Officers oversee the overall management and function of their units, promote the Service, co-ordinate relations with outside bodies, guide and monitor training and exercises, and contribute to the management of the Service nationally as Trustees.

 5.4.3. Both ASOs and RVOs are responsible for ensuring that all Service activities are carried out in a safe manner, as per requirements of “Health and Safety at Work Act” and they also have a Duty of Care towards the members, and others with whom the MVS may work.

 5.4.4. ASOs and RVOs are assisted by Area and Regional Staff Officers for seamanship, engineering and shore support.

 

 

6. Own Area and Regional Structure.

 

6.1 Area and Regional Staff Officers.

6.1.1. It is important that all members know who their Area and Regional Staff Officers are, so, for future reference, fill in relevant names against the titles below. You will also need to know where these officers are located, so a brief address for each of them should be included.

 

page11.)

6.1.2.   Area Staff Officer:

Area Seamanship Officer:

Area Engineering Officer: Ray Craig

Area Shore Support Officer:

 

6.1.3    Regional Seamanship Officer: 

Regional Engineering Officer: Tom Bloore

Regional Shore Support Officer:

 

6.2 Units within your Region and their Roles.

 6.2.1. All members should know which other Units are in their Region and where they are located,. Fill in the names and towns for these Units. Some Units specialise in particular fields. Give a brief description of the key roles for each Unit listed above. In most cases, a one-word answer will do.

 
Unit                              Name                          Town                        Specialisation

 Thanet, Eastbourne, Shoreham, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Poole, Plymouth

6.3 Regional activities.

 

6.3.1. Additionally, members need to be aware of the main activities undertaken in their Region, so make a brief note of these below.

 London flood relief and wildfowl survey/rescue

 Eastbourne run East Sussex 1 Act as a region training centre

7. Own Unit Structure.

 

7.1 Specialisations.

 

7.1.1. You need to understand the roles of the Seaman, Engineering and Shore Support Specialisations and how they operate in your Unit. You also need to be aware that cross-training is actively encouraged, and the choice of one branch does not exclude you from participating in the activities of the other two.

 7.1.2. In the space below, briefly list the salient points of each branch.

 
Head of Seamanship:                          currently vacant

 Head of Engineering: Roby Stewart

 Head of Shore Support:                     currently vacant

 page12.)

7.2 Head of Unit and Key Personnel.

7.2.1. You need to know the names of the key personnel in your Unit.

List these names below against the titles.

 

Head of Unit: Richard Upton

 

Deputy Head of Unit: vacant

 

Head of Seamanship:

Head of Engineering:             Roby Stewart

Head of Shore Support:

 

Unit Secretary:

Unit Treasurer:  John Douce

 
7.3 Subscriptions, local Fund Raising, Insurance.

 7.3.1. The MVS Annual Subscription is currently £30 (November 2007). The sub includes a large element for Personal Accident Insurance. An understanding of the scope of this insurance is essential, so that you know what is covered and, more importantly, what is not covered.

 7.3.2. There may be an additional unit subscription which may be levied to help with the unit running costs. This is N/A to CityOfLondon unit. There will be local fund raising initiatives to enable the unit to fund its activities, and you need to know the name of the chairman of the Unit Fund Raising Committee (where appointed):

 
7.4 Training Opportunities and Programme.

 7.4.1. There will be training opportunities available in and through your unit. These may be local, regional, area and national courses and cruises, some of which may attract subsidies towards the overall cost. Also, you need to be aware of the unit and region training programmes.

 
7.5 Unit Logistics.

 

7.5.1. You need to be familiar with the arrangements within your Unit. These include the place, day and time of normal unit training activities, the layout of the unit, the location of the First Aid kit and the names of the qualified First Aiders, and the procedures for fire and accidents.

7.5.2. Use the space below to make a note of these points.

 Mondays 1900-2130 HMS President and on board L1 First Aid kit is under Skipper's position on board L1

page13.)

8 Qualifications, Grades and Training.

8.0.1 This section covers national training standards, qualifications via RYA and the internal competence-based training scheme & how these relate to the grade structure.

 

8.1 National Training Standards.

8.1.1. A common training system, with common standards, is essential throughout the Service. MVS has decided to adopt a competence-based scheme similar to National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), but without the bureaucracy which has grown up around the NVQ system.

 

8.1.2. An additional avenue is available through the RYA and RYA qualifications are also recognised and acceptable in the civilian world, where RN certification is not. However, RYA qualifications do not cover as wide a scope as MVS requirements, and there is a limit on the size of vessel which can be commanded under RYA certification.

 

8.2 Competence-based Qualifications.

8.2.1. The competence-based approach has been selected as the qualification route for all specialisations since it is nationally recognised, is flexible in delivery and allows credit for relevant, provable work completed outside the system. For instance, a person who held a RN Command Certificate can count the Certificate towards the appropriate civilian qualification.

 

8.2.2. As the MVS is now an accredited Training School under the RYA banner, our courses will lead to RYA qualifications, which are universally recognised. The RYA has recently revised its courses which are now much more in line with the MVS requirements. As an accredited school, the training courses for shore-based subjects can be undertaken in the Units provided that suitably qualified instructors and assessors are available.

 

8.2.3. The current situation for off-shore courses is that these must be carried out at RYA approved off-shore schools. The Service is working towards accreditation in this field, but the process is more complicated than for the shore-based courses.

 

8.2.4. Where members have studied relevant material before joining the system, they can prepare a portfolio of evidence that is assessed against the requirements and credit for previous achievement can be given. This system is called the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL). Qualifications and experience gained through other avenues; such as at work, but which apply to MVS activities can be assessed through the same process.
 

page14.)

 
8.3 Relationship between qualifications and grades.

 
8.3.1. Promotion within the Service is linked to MVS qualifications gained through the system, or, exceptionally, through accelerated advancement based on the APL system (the fast track). This is provided so that the Service retains the ability to make full use of valuable knowledge and experience without the possessor of this information being asked to start at the bottom of the learning ladder again.

 

8.3.2. Details are listed in MVS001, Policy Number POL104.

8.3.3. Grades of List A membership are defined below:

 

Grade                                                                                         Abbrev.  Epaulettes

New Entry Pass New Entry Course to qualify as:                                            NE         None

Probationary Volunteer Pass Maritime Foundation Course to qualify as:    PV         "MVS"

Volunteer Pass defined branch modules with reqd. service to qualify          V     MVS and Star

Able Volunteer Pass defined branch modules with reqd service to qualify AV   MVS and Crown

Leading Volunteer Pass def. br. modules with reqd service to qualify:        LV 

The epaulette slider for LV is:                                                     MVS, Crown and Fouled Anchor

Petty Officer Volunteer Pass def. br. modules with reqd service to qualify as:   POV

The appropriate epaulettes are                                                MVS, Crown and Crossed Anchors

 Chief Volunteer Pass defined branch modules with required service.

Be selected/elected for officer post and                                                                  CV

pass Officer Appointment Board to qualify as:

                                                             MVS, Crown and Fouled Anchor in Laurel Leaves

 

Volunteer Officer

Be selected or elected for a middle management position to become:                      VO

                                                                                                   Single gold stripe with “V”

 

Volunteer Lieutenant

Be selected for a staff position as [inter alia] Deputy Regional Volunteer Officer: V.Lt

                                                                                                    Two gold stripes with “V”

 

Volunteer Lieutenant Commander This is the highest volunteer rank. V.Lt.Cdr

 

                                              Two standard gold stripes, one narrow gold stripes with “V”

 

page15.)

 

 

8.3.4. There is one fundamental difference between the MVS and most other, similar organisations with regard to “rank”. In the MVS, the officer appointments within the MVS are filled by election, and the “rank” is, in fact, a grade which is held for the duration of the appointment. The exceptions are the Chief Staff Officer and the Area Staff Officers, who are appointed as full-time officials by Council.

 

 

8.3.5. Thus, a Volunteer Officer holds his grade as an officer for the duration of his appointment.  On completion of a duty, he/she may go on to a Regional or Area staff position, or may revert to Chief Volunteer within her/his own Unit. There is no slur or disgrace, implied or otherwise, in this reversion process. The full details are contained in the Policy and Procedures Manual, MVS 001, current edition, Policy Number POL105.

 

8.3.6. The matrices attached to Training Memorandum 3/96 show the relationship between knowledge elements and grade, and in the competence-based system.

For all specialisations, these indicate the following:

 

Skilled operator: Able Volunteer (AV);

Supervisor: Leading Volunteer (LV);

Junior manager: Petty Officer Volunteer (POV);

Middle manager: Chief Volunteer (CV);

Senior manager: Volunteer Officer (VO).

 

8.4 Maritime Foundation Course.

8.4.1. On completion of the New Entry Course, the next step for all members is the Maritime Foundation Course (MFC), which has been designed to give all new entrants a firm grounding in the work of the Service in all its aspects, so that everyone appreciates what the three specialisations actually do.

This method has three advantages: 1.) Cross-specialisation support is easier; 2.) Choice of specialisation is based on sound knowledge rather than preconceptions; 3.) Cross training is easier.

 

8.4.2. The MFC is not a course leading to a competence-based qualification but it has been written in the same style, and will be assessed in a similar manner so as to provide a gentle introduction to everything that comes afterwards.

 

8.5 Cross-training.

8.5.1. Each member can choose to work within one specialisation or may opt, at any time, to cross-train [in] any other specialisation up to any level. This option follows from the theme of the MFC. It provides flexibility and is to be encouraged.

 

page16.)

 

9 Abridged List of Appropriate Abbreviations.

 

Emboldened references are especially pertinent to MVS City of London.

“HWJ” has been left in to give an idea what abbreviations were edited out.

 

APL Accreditation of Prior Learning

AV Able Volunteer

ASO Area Staff Officer

CoM Coz\mmittee of Management

CSO Chief Staff Officer

CV Chief Volunteer

DHoU Deputy Head of Unit

EPG Emergency Planning Group

EPO Emergency Planning Officer

FPC Future Policy Committee

HoB Head of Branch

HoD Head of Department

HoU Head of Unit

HWJ Heavy Wool Jersey ('uniform' component along with 'cargo' trousers + 'dark' blue shirt)

LV Leading Volunteer

MFC Maritime Foundation Course

MVS Maritime Volunteer Service

MVS Maritime Volunteer Ship

NE New Entry

NVQ National Vocational Qualification

PLO Port Liaison Officer

POV Petty Officer Volunteer

PV Probationary Volunteer

PVO Port Volunteer Officer

RFA Royal Fleet Auxiliary

RN Royal Navy

RNR Royal Naval Reserve

RVO Regional Volunteer Officer