GMDSS INFORMATION BULLETIN TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION OF GMDSS RADIO OPERATORS Available Licenses The FCC issues licenses to radio operators and equipment maintainers under the general guidance of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to personnel involved in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Both licenses are issued to candidates who pass a multiple choice examination administered by FCC contractors drawn from question pools which are in the public domain. The GMDSS Radio Operator Certificate is required for designated GMDSS shipboard radio operators. At least two operators must have that qualification once the ship has been certified for GMDSS operation. The GMDSS Maintainer License is required for at least one shipboard person on GMDSS vessels which have elected on-board maintenance as one of the available options. The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for compliance with the new 1995 revision of the IMO treaty on the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchstanding (STCW). The U.S. implementation of this treaty revision mandates that all deck officers complete resident training at a Coast Guard approved GMDSS course by 1 February 2002. The Coast Guard will issue an STCW 95 endorsement on successful completion of such a course. Certain GMDSS vessels, fishing vessels for example, are exempted from the STCW training requirement. The more stringent STCW requirements were imposed by IMO in recognition that many GMDSS operators certified under existing national regulations were marginally competent as evidenced by an excessive false alert rate in most GMDSS systems. At present, GMDSS ships must comply with both the FCC and the Coast Guard requirements so it is logical that ships without dedicated radio operators arrange for mates to hold the FCC license and receive the training required for the Coast Guard endorsement. The FCC license can be acquired through a self study program but the Task Force strongly recommends resident GMDSS training courses for improved operator competence. Although any person aboard ship may hold an FCC GMDSS Radio Operator Certificate, most ship operators are certifying mates for this purpose since they will all require GMDSS training by 2002. Which Operators Require Licenses? U.S. cargo and other commercial vessels, regardless of their area of operation, are required to be GMDSS compliant by 1 February 1999 if they are over 300 Gross Tons. Vessels carrying more than 12 passengers for hire and operating on international voyages are also required to be GMDSS compliant by 1 February 1999. Vessels carrying more than 6 passengers operating on domestic routes only are not required to be GMDSS compliant but are subject to other radio and licensing requirements and the operators must hold a General Radiotelephone Operator's License. Small commercial vessels and recreational vessels are not required to outfit for GMDSS but may use any GMDSS equipment on a voluntary basis without any operator licensing requirements. GMDSS Training Institutions and Coast Guard Approved GMDSS Courses There are a number of maritime training institutions which offer GMDSS training. These are listed in the Coast Guard's GMDSS web site at http://www.navcen.uscg.mil/marcomms/marcomms.htm. Courses approved by the Coast Guard's National Maritime Center to meet the GMDSS training requirements of STCW 95 will be listed in a separate web site in the future. In the meantime, status can be obtained by contacting John Bobb of the National Maritime Center at 703- 235-1062 or by email at jbobb@ballston.uscg.mil. Question Pools for GMDSS Examinations The FCC maintains a Question Pool for the examination for GMDSS Radio Operator's License which can be found on the FCC web site at http://www.fcc.gov. There are also sources for paper and CD Rom versions of the pool which can be determined by calling 1-888-Call-FCC. The Coast Guard is in the process of approving a Question Pool for the competency exam required to demonstrate GMDSS proficiency and qualify for the STCW 95 certification. The Coast Guard Question Pool will also be made available in the future but in the meantime, its status can be determined from John Bobb at the contact points given in the previous paragraph. Special Restricted GMDSS Operator License for Sea Area A1 The Task Force has petitioned the FCC to create a special GMDSS License for Sea Area A1 which is the coastal zone extending to about 20 miles from a shore network providing continuous coverage by Digital Selective Calling (DSC) on the maritime VHF Radiotelephone system. It is envisioned that this special license would apply to operators of GMDSS ships which sail exclusively in Sea Area A1. The Task Force also believes that voluntary operators of GMDSS systems should receive at least minimal training and that qualification for a Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator's License would serve this purpose. If the FCC acts favorably on the Task Force request, it is expected that brief one or two day courses would be offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Squadrons, and most of the established GMDSS training institutions. The GMDSS Task Force This Information Bulletin was approved on 14 January 1998 by the National GMDSS Implementation Task Force, a Coast Guard sponsored group established to resolve implementation problems and disseminate GMDSS information. The Task Force is soliciting feedback on problems encountered and invites responses to Captain Jack Fuechsel, Task Force Executive Director, 7425 Elgar Street; Springfield, VA 22151; phone 703-941-1935; fax 703-941-6154; or email: gmdss@erols.com. See also the Coast Guard GMDSS internet web site: http://www.navcen.uscg.mil/marcomms/marcomms.htm.Duplication and reprinting of this Bulletin is authorized in order to reach the widest possible audience. file: tfib-tr.wpd/.txt