Entry & progression
Certificate: the full GMDSS operator qualification for vessels operating in all sea areas, covering VHF, MF/HF and satellite communications. Required for officers on larger yachts and the MCA deck CoCs. Entry: none formally, though prior radio experience helps. It supersedes the ROC and SRC for professional use.
Equipment for every sea area
Because the GOC operator may work anywhere, they must know the whole GMDSS toolkit and choose the right bearer for the sea area. VHF with DSC serves A1; MF and HF with DSC serve A2 and A4; and Inmarsat satellite communications serve A3. Alongside these, NAVTEX and the satellite EGC (SafetyNET) receive maritime safety information automatically, and the survival-craft equipment — the EPIRB (a satellite distress beacon) and the SART (a radar/AIS locating device) — provides distress alerting and location if the ship is abandoned.
- VHF/DSC for A1; MF and HF with DSC for A2/A4; Inmarsat satellite for A3.
- NAVTEX and the satellite EGC (SafetyNET) for receiving maritime safety information automatically.
- EPIRB (satellite distress beacon) and SART (radar/AIS locating) for the survival craft.
- Every station carries an MMSI, and HF working requires selecting the right frequency and mode.
NOTE — One system, many bearers GMDSS is one distress concept carried over several radio bearers. The GOC operator chooses the right bearer — VHF, MF/HF or satellite — for the sea area and the situation, and knows how each works.
WARNING — Test and maintain the equipment and its power The GMDSS equipment must be tested and maintained, and its reserve power source kept ready, so that it works when needed. A distress system that has not been tested is a system you cannot rely on.