The course is obligatory for all future skippers.
This certificate is required by most companies for yacht charter.
- The trainee completed this course successfully and passed the examination will be able to use GMDSS equipment effectively and perform main responsibilities concerning radio communications in case of distress, urgency, accidents and ordinary cases for NON-SOLAS vessels navigating only in maritime zone A1.
- He/she won’t be able to work with GMDSS equipment on a registered SOLAS vessel notwithstanding maritime zone which the given vessel navigates. In this case one needs to hold at least A Restricted Operators Certificate (ROC) or certificate of higher level.
- He/she won’t be allowed to use HF or CB equipment on NON-SOLAS vessels. In this case one needs to hold at least A Long Range Certificate (LRC) or higher.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has 4 professional levels of certification in descending order for SOLAS* vessels (mandatory compliance):
- First class Radio Electronics Certificate
- Second class Radio Electronics Certificate
- General Operators Certificate –GOC
- Restricted Operators Certificate –ROC
IMO recognizes 2 recreational levels for NON-SOLAS vessels (non-mandatory compliance):
- Short Range Certificate (GMDSS Sea area A1**) (VHF)
- Long Range Certificate (GMDSS Sea Areas A1-A2***) (HF/ СВ –MF)
The course for holding Short Range Certificate (SRC) considers training recommendations included in Resolution 343 adopted at World Radio Communication Conference 2012 concerning SRC for NON-SOLAS vessels. Radio communications regulations 2012 Section 9 – Sea services, Paragraph 47 – Operators certification – in reference to Resolution 343 concerning GMDSS licensing for NON-SOLAS vessels.
Notes:
SOLAS* - International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
Sea area A1** - the area within coverage at least one coastal VHF station, providing steady watch and radio traffic at channels 16 and 70 (DCS) (30 nautical miles).
Sea Areas A1-A2*** - the area within coverage at least one coastal MF station, providing steady watch and radio traffic at frequency 2187.5 kHz (DCS) and radio traffic in telephony mode at frequency 2182 kHz (150 nautical miles) except area A1.
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