GMDSS General Operators Certificate (GOC)

During the course you will learn the duties of a GMDSS radio operator including:

• Distress communication procedures, including Search and Rescue duties
• Urgency and safety communication procedures
• General radio communication procedures
• Use of Admiralty List of Radio Signals
• Use of the phonetic alphabet and standard marine navigation vocabulary
• How to avoid harmful interference
• Propagation of radio signals

A two week course designed to prepare students for assessment leading to the award of the GMDSS General Operators Certificate (GOC).

The GOC is the highest level marine radio qualification.

The GOC qualification is required for persons who have radio communication duties onboard a GMDSS equipped ship. Primarily it is aimed at Merchant Navy deck officers, commercial yachtmasters and offshore radio operators.

Once qualified GMDSS GOC holders are licensed to operate marine radio equipment

Delivery of the course is through a combination of theory and practical lessons. During the course extensive use is made of twelve touchscreen TRANSAS GMDSS radio simulators.

The course involves the theory and operation of the following pieces of equipment:

• VHF digital selective calling (DSC) and radio telephony (RT)
• MF/HF digital selective calling (DSC) and radio telephony (RT)
• Inmarsat Ship Earth Station (SES)
• Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)
• Radar Transponders (SART)
• AIS SART
• NAVTEX receiver
• Types of radio aerial
• Maintenance and safety with regards to radio batteries