GMDSS General Operators Certificate (GOC)

An intensive course of study involving the use of computer simulation and live equipment, this course is intended for commercial maritime operators in area A3 with satellite communications as part of the vessel equipment.

Practical application sessions are used to allow the candidate to put into practice the knowledge and skills developed whilst on the course. Mock examination papers are set as homework in preparation for the written examinations.

The course covers three main areas:

Regulations and procedures

Demonstration and maintenance of equipment

‘Safety of Life at Sea’ and practical operations

The certificate qualifies the holder to operate a suitably licensed marine radio-telephony, radio telex or satellite mobile earth station.

The course allows the candidate to acquire detailed practical knowledge of the equipment of a ships station, Digital Selective Calling (DSC), the principles of Narrow Band Direct Printing, Telex over Radio Systems and to INMARSAT systems.

Operational procedures and practices and the satisfactory exchange of communications relevant to the safety of life at sea are also covered in the syllabus. You will learn how to operate and describe the function of the following equipment:

MF/HF/VHF transmitters/receivers using telephony and Narrow Band Direct Printing (NBDP)

DSC encoder/decoder

Inmarsat Ship Earth Station (SES)

COPAS/SARSAT & INMARSAT

Radar Transponders

NAVTEX receiver

Propagation

Aerials

Batteries

Use of BITE