U.S. GMDSS IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE

Captain Jack Fuechsel, USCG (Ret)
Task Force Director
7425 Elgar Street
Springfield VA 22151

23 June 2000

Thomas J. Sugrue
Chief, Wireless Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street S.W.
Washington, DC 20554

The GMDSS Task Force was chartered by the Coast Guard to supplement government functions in implementing the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in the U.S. The Task Force has a broad based membership from all sectors of the maritime community and has made numerous recommendations to the FCC and the Coast Guard on matters affecting the implementation of GMDSS services.

The Task Force, at it's recent meeting on May 12, 2000, approved a recommendation from it's Training Task Group for a revised GMDSS Question Pool to replace the one currently approved by the Coast Guard for examining candidates for the Coast Guard STCW-95 GMDSS certification. The STCW Question Pool currently in use was also recommended by the Task Force but after use by the GMDSS training institutions for several years, the Training Group felt that there were a number of ambiguous questions which should be clarified. The review also eliminated questions involving the implementation dates for GMDSS ships since those dates have already passed.

The new Question Pool was developed by a broad based ad hoc group headed by Owen Anderson one of our GMDSS instructors, with active participation by about twenty other GMDSS instructors. It draws heavily on the existing pool and also on the FCC's GMDSS Question Pool used to examine candidates for the GMDSS Operator's Certificate (GOC).

The new Question Pool consists of 600 multiple choice questions built around 100 key topics. Each of the key topics has six related questions. The questions are presented on 100 pages, each of which contains a key topic and it's six related questions. Thus a random selection of one question from each page should result in a well balanced 100 exam.

The new Question Pool was recommended to the Coast Guard's National Maritime Center (NMC) which has just responded approving the Task Force recommendations and indicating that the new Question Pool will be posted on their web site and used by GMDSS training institutions for competency examinations.

When the Task Force approved the new Question Pool, it also directed that, following Coast Guard approval, the same new Question Pool also be recommended to the FCC as a replacement for the GMDSS Question Pool currently used to examine candidates for the FCC's GMDSS Operators Certificate (GOC). The Task Force felt that the FCC's GMDSS Question Pool was also in need of updating and that it would be appropriate to use the same Question Pool for the requirements of both agencies.

I have therefore attached a paper copy of the proposed new Question Pool and an electronic copy has been forwarded to Mr. Ghassan Khalek of your staff in order to facilitate internal review and, if and when appropriate, posting on the FCC web site. I have also attached copies of the Task Force correspondence with the Coast Guard on this subject.

The Task Force plans to keep the Question Pool under continuing review and make further recommendations as appropriate. Should you wish to implement the new pool for optional use before replacing the existing pool, we suggest that you advise the COLEMs accordingly. The Task Force stands ready to assist the FCC in other GMDSS related matters which you may have occasion to refer to us for advice. Should your staff wish to raise questions, I can be reached at 703-941-1935 or by E-mail at gmdss@erols.com.

Sincerely,

JACK FUECHSEL

Attachments: Proposed new GMDSS Question Pool

Task Force letter of 5 June 2000 to the Coast Guard NMC

Coast Guard NMC letter of 15 June 2000 granting approval