The basic concept of (GMDSS) is that search and rescue authorities ashore, as well as shipping in the immediate vicinity of the ship in distress, will be rapidly alerted to a distress incident so that they can assist in a co-ordinated SAR operation with the minimum delay.
The system also provides for agency and safety communications and the promulgation of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) - navigational and meteorological warnings and forecasts and other urgent safety information to ships. In other words, every ship is able, irrespective of the area in which it operates, to perform those communication functions which are essential for the safety of the ship itself and of other ships operating in the same area.
All Distress and Safety communication will be automated and watchkeeping on traditional voice and Morse code frequencies become history.
At the press of a button, a ship can send its identity, position and nature of distress by either satellite or terrestrial communication.
It will then be up to a shore based Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) to alert vessels in the area to go to the aid of the casualty.
This co-ordinating role of the RCC is a new one.
Under the SOLAS 1974 system, ships in the area were required to monitor for distress alerts and then respond directly. The GMDSS now makes this the responsibility of the RCC.
GMDSS also changes the nature of Routine and Safety Radio operation. These become fully automatic, enabling ship’s to deal with all incoming and outgoing ship’s radio communication. It is no longer be necessary to sail with a specialist radio officer onboard.
- Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
- NAVTEX
- INMARSAT
- EPIRBs
- SARTs
- VHF , MF and HF Communication.
Under IMO legislation, all passenger vessels had to be fitted with the necessary equipment by 1995, and all vessels over 300grt to be GMDSS equipped by the 1st February deadline.
National administrations are also being encouraged to provide the necessary shore based infrastructure in sufficient time.
Marine Radio Operator's Certificate
A marine
radio operator's licence is an international legal requirement.
Yachtsmen operating a VHF only radio require a
Short Range Certificate .
If
operating an SSB, VHF and Inmarsat from a yacht then a
Long Range Certificate is required.
Visit www.yachtcom.co.uk for
more information about otaining your marine radio operators certificate.
Long Range Certificate
The
Long Range Certificate is required for
operations on all marine frequencies from a leisure craft.
MCA approved course &
exam.
The course covers:-
- Marine VHF, SSB including DSC
-
Inmarsat
- Operation and procedures.
- EPIRB, SARTs and NAVTEX.
Course duration including exam:-
- 2 days with on-line e-study
- 4 days
with classroom study.
Click here for more information
Short Range Certificate
The
Short Range Certificate is required
for operations on marine VHF channels from onboard a leisure craft.
In
the UK the Short Range Certificate is issued by the
RYA.
The course
covers:-
- Marine VHF DSC radio
- Operation and procedures
- EPIRB,
SARTs and NAVTEX.
Course duration including exam:-
- 1 day
Click here for more information
On-Line e-study
Both the
Short Range Certificate (SRC)
and
Long Range Certificate (LRC)
can be studied on-line using YachtCom's e-study training package.
The LRC and SRC e-study packages have been used by mainy students to obtain
there marine radio operator's certificate.
Easy of use and informative
the on-line e-study package is an ideal way to study for your marine radio
operator's certificate. To study on-line just sign up for a course.