Global Maritime Distress and Safety System Courses Criteria - Second Edition

The aim of this publication is to help create training courses that provide seafarers with the necessary knowledge, understanding and competency to transmit and receive information using GMDSS subsystems and equipment, fulfil the functional requirements of GMDSS and provide radio services in emergencies. Training courses developed in line with these criteria will cover:

• General Operator Certificate of Competence
• Restricted Operator Certificate of Competence.

The MCA has agreed with AMERC and the MNTB that the specifications described in this document satisfy the requirements for approved training and follow the provisions identified in the AMERC Administration Handbook.

What this document is about

This document provides the criteria for the development of courses to deliver training for the certification of GMDSS radio operators.

Training courses developed in line with these criteria, delivered at centres approved by the Association of Marine Electronic and Radio Colleges Ltd (AMERC) on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), will cover:

• General Operator Certificate of Competence (section 2)
• Restricted Operator Certificate of Competence (section 3).

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The MCA has agreed with AMERC and the MNTB that the specifications described in this document will satisfy the requirements for approved training and that the provisions identified in the AMERC Administration Handbook are followed. The Handbook provides full detail of the examination system, course approval process and audit arrangements, and also covers the AMERC requirements regarding course timetabling, lessons plans, course notes, in-course assessment, and equipment and support materials. The requirements for course approval are provided in the AMERC Handbook, which subsumes the MCA conditions for course approval. The AMERC Administration Handbook should therefore be read in conjunction with this document, and is available via the association’s website at www.amerc.ac.uk to member companies, and for non-members by application to the AMERC National Administration Centre.

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The national occupational standards relating to this training are:

B01 Contribute to maintaining a navigational watch

B02 Maintain a navigational watch

B03 Plan a navigational voyage

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There is also a suite of Maritime Studies Qualifications which contain units relevant to this training; the specific units are:

Communicate using equipment and visual means

Control vessel communications

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Why these criteria have been developed

These criteria have been developed to deliver education and training covering radiocommunications at the operational level to meet the regulatory requirements of Table A-IV/2 of the Annex to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, hereafter referred to as STCW. They also cover the current mandatory requirements of the European Radio Communications Committee Decision on the harmonised examination syllabi for the General Operator’s Certificate (GOC) and the Restricted Operators Certificate (ROC), plus the requirements of the EU Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT).

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Who the training is aimed at

This training is required by seafarers seeking certification under:

a. STCW Regulation IV/2 GMDSS radio operators.

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Aims of the training

The overall aim is to provide seafarers with the necessary knowledge, understanding and competency to transmit and receive information using GMDSS subsystems and equipment, and fulfilling the functional requirements of GMDSS, and to provide radio services in emergencies.

Section One: Introduction

Section Two: General Operator's Certificate (GOC) Course

Section Three: Criteria Restricted Operator’s Certificate (ROC)

Annex A: Course Criteria STCW Code: Table A-IV/2

Annex B: Instructor/Assessor Qualification and Experience Requirements

Annex C:
(i) Course Completion Certificate in GMDSS Radiocommunications (GOC)
(ii) Course Completion Certificate in GMDSS Radiocommunications (ROC)

The Merchant Navy Training Board is the shipping industry’s central body for promoting and developing sector specific education, training and skills.

https://mntb.org.uk/