ABSTRACT: Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) are expected to redistribute rather than eliminate human work, creating new competency requirements for Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) operators and shipboard navigation officers. This exploratory study examined practitioner priorities within a literature-informed six-domain framework and explored occupational-group differences. Three substantively aligned online survey streams generated 198 submissions, of which 146 cases were retained after screening (76 VTS operators and 70 shipboard navigation officers). Group comparisons, covariate-adjusted models, response-pattern sensitivity analyses, and exploratory dimensional analyses were conducted. Safety, risk, and emergency response competence was the most frequently selected future priority (61.0%) and the most frequently identified area requiring current strengthening (54.8%). Technical and digital competence ranked second as a future priority, whereas communication and coordination ranked second among current strengthening needs. Shipboard navigation officers reported higher unadjusted appraisal scores across the domains, but the adjusted occupational pattern was sensitive to covariate coding and recruitment-context differences. The exploratory dimensional analyses suggested a dominant general appraisal dimension rather than six clearly distinct dimensions. The framework should be regarded as a conceptually organized practitioner-appraisal model, not a validated six-factor instrument. The findings support continued development of integrated MASS education, including role-specific assessment using behavioral anchors and operational scenarios.

KEYWORDS: Automation, Safety of Navigation, Maritime Education and Training (MET), Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), Emergency Response, Situational Awareness (SA), Human Factors and Crew Resource Management, Vessel Traffic Services

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