WHAT IS GMDSS?

GMDSS, (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System), is the international system of marine communications at sea. It includes Marine radio (VHF, MF, HF), Search and rescue transponders, satellite beacons and satellite communications by Inmarsat and Iridium.

WHAT ARE THE 4 GMDSS CERTIFICATES?

There are four separate marine radio courses in the UK and Europe. Anyone  can take any of the four courses, there is no requirement to hold one certificate before taking a higher level course (however we recommend you hold the 1-day SRC before progressing to the 4-day LRC course. There are also two endorsement courses. If you hold an LRC you can take the 1 day satellite endorsement. If you hold an overseas STCW GOC you can take the 3 days conversion course to receive a UK GOC Certificate of Competence.

• SRC – Short Range Certificate 1-day or online course (min age 16)
• LRC – Long Range Certificate  4-day course (min age 16)
• ROC – Restricted Operator’s Certificate 3-day course (min age 18)
• GOC – General Operator’s Certificate 8-day course (min age 18)

The table below identifies which GMDSS certificate of Competence you are required to hold;

	Sea Area A1	Sea Areas A2 – A4
Type of vessel	VHF Range of coast station	Beyond VHF Range
Yacht, Workboat up to 24m, Fishing Vessel up to 12m or Cargo ship under 300 gt	SRC or higher	LRC or GOC
Yacht, Workboat up to 24m, Fishing Vessel over 12m, Cargo Ship over 300 gt or Passenger Ship (any size)	ROC or GOC	GOC

WHAT IS THE LRC SATELLITE MODULE?

Seafarers operating offshore and using GMDSS satellite equipment such as Inmarsat C, Inmarsat Fleet Broadband (with MST) or Iridium GMDSS require an appropriate certificate. Satellite is included within the GOC course, however small craft operators may upgrade their LRC by attending a one-day LRC Satellite Module course and exam.

SHORT RANGE CERTIFICATE -VHF

VHF (Very High Frequency) is the standard marine radio around the coastline. The RYA Short Range Certificate (SRC) course can be taken online or in the classroom.

The SRC course is followed by the RYA SRC Exam which is usually taken at our centre. If you book the classroom course there is no need to book the exam as it will follow on at the end of the day. If you book the online course then we will need to agree a time for the face to face exam (which can only be take in person, not online). Most online students take the exam at our centre in Southampton or Helensburgh, but we have access to examiners across the globe.

 

LONG RANGE CERTIFICATE – VHF, MF /HF (SSB)

Medium Frequency and High Frequency sets, often know as Single Sideband (SSB) give the operator more range and are popular for ocean cruising, blue water sailing and long distance passages.  The LRC refreshes and builds on the content of the SRC.

If the vessel is fitted with SSB then there is a legal requirement for the operator to be trained and qualified in its use. The 4-day course includes the MCA exam.

If the vessel is fitted with GMDSS satellite equipment such as Inmarsat C, you can attend a separate 5th day to obtain the Satellite Endorsement to your LRC.

RESTRICTED OPERATOR CERTIFICATE – VHF

The ROC is basically the commercial seafarers equivalent of the SRC. Like the SRC course this longer courses focuses on VHF Radio. The longer course is required by SOLAS vessels over 24m. It can be use on any sized vessel as an alternative to the SRC.

GENERAL OPERATOR CERTIFICATE – VHF, MF /HF & Inmarsat

The GOC is basically the commercial seafarer’s equivalent of the LRC and sits above the other 3 courses. The GOC holder can  operate any marine radio on on any vessel, at sea anywhere in the world. Like the LRC course this longer courses focuses on long range communication, so covers MF and HF (SSB) as well as Inmarsat C and Inmarsat Fleet Broadband. The course is required by vessels over 24m. It can be used by anyone as an alternative to SRC, LRC or ROC. The 8-day course includes a 2.5 hour exam on the last day.

Content of the GMDSS Courses

	SRC	ROC	LRC	Sat.	GOC
Overview of GMDSS	✅	✅	✅		✅
Navtex	✅	✅	✅		✅
SART	✅	✅	✅		✅
EPIRB	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Hand Held VHF	✅	✅	✅		✅
GMDSS Survival Craft HH VHF		✅	✅		✅
Voice Procedures (RT)	✅	✅	✅		✅
GMDSS Logbook		✅	✅		✅
Class D VHF inc. DSC (short range radio)	✅		✅
Class A VHF inc. DSC (short range radio)		✅	✅		✅
MF inc. DSC (medium range radio)			✅		✅
HF inc. DSC (long range radio)			✅		✅
Acknowledging distress alerts		✅	✅		✅
DSC Relay		✅	✅		✅
Backup power supply		✅	✅		✅
Battery maintenance		✅	✅		✅
Testing fuses		✅	✅		✅
Inmarsat C				✅	✅
Inmarsat Fleet Broadband				✅	✅
AMVER				✅	✅
Iridium GMDSS				✅	✅
Telex				✅	✅
ALRS		✅	✅	✅	✅
	SRC	ROC	LRC	Sat.	GOC

Maritime & Coastguard Agency MCA MSN 1864 outlines the requirements for radio operators in the UK and on UK vessels.

CHIEFTAIN TRAINING GMDSS TRAINING EQUIPMENT

Hamble GMDSS Equipment:

Our GMDSS suite relies on our 18 primary live sets which are all, Icom (Class A and D VHF and Class A MF/HF). While we are fans of ICOM we recognise that not everyone is equipped with this brand so our GMDSS suite is also equipped with a selection of Simrad, Sailor, Silva, ICS, Lokata, Nasa, McMurdo, and Jotron equipment.

Equipment	Type	Sets	SRC Course	LRC Course	ROC Course	GOC Course	Sat. Mod.	SRC Assessor
SSB (HF & MF)
Icom GM800 SSB (MF & HF)	Live	2		✅		✅
Icom M801 SSB (MF & HF)	Live	1		✅
Icom M804 SSB (MF & HF)	Live	1		✅
Sailor 6301 SSB (MF & HF)	PC Simulator	6				✅
CLASS A VHF
Icom GM600 Class A VHF	Live	7		✅	✅	✅		✅
Sailor 6222 Class A VHF	PC Simulator	6			✅	✅
CLASS D VHF
Icom M423GE VHF	Live	8	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
Icom M323 VHF	Live	1	✅					✅
Silva S10 VHF	Live	1	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
Standard Horizon VHF	PC Simulator	6						✅
SATELLITE COMMS
Sailor 250 Inmarsat Fleet Broadband	PC Simulator	6				✅	✅
Sailor 6110 Inmarsat Sat-C	PC Simulator	6				✅	✅
NAVTEX
ICS Nav 4 Navtex	Live	2				✅		✅
ICS Nav 5 Navtex	Live	8		✅	✅	✅		✅
ICS Nav 6 Navtex	Live	2			✅	✅		✅
Nasa Navtex Target	Live	3	✅	✅				✅
Nasa Clipper Navtex	Live	2	✅	✅				✅
McMurdo Smartfind Navtex	Live	1			✅	✅		✅
ProSailor 6004 Navtex	PC Simulator	6				✅
EPIRBs
Various EPIRBS	Dummy	15	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
McMurdo 406	PC Simulator	6				✅
Various PLBs	Dummy	8	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
SARTS
Radar SART	Live	1	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
Radar SART	Dummy	9	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
McMurdo S4 Radar SART	PC Simulator	6				✅
Jotron AIS SART	PC Simulator	6				✅
AIS SART	Dummy	3	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
HAND HELD VHFs
H/H GMDSS VHF	Dummy	6	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
Jotron Tron Air H/HVHF	PC Simulator	6				✅
Sailor SP3920 H/H VHF	PC Simulator	6				✅

Chieftain Helensburgh GMDSS Equipment:

Our GMDSS training room relies on our 17 primary live sets which are all, Icom (Class A and D VHF and Class A MF/HF) which are supplemented with other brands.

Equipment	Type	Sets	SRC Course	LRC Course	ROC Course	GOC Course	Sat. Mod.	SRC Assessor
SSB (HF & MF)
Icom GM800 SSB (MF & HF)	Live	2		✅		✅
Sailor 6301 SSB (MF & HF)	PC Simulator	4				✅
CLASS A VHF
Icom GM600 Class A VHF	Live	5		✅	✅	✅		✅
Sailor 6222 Class A VHF	PC Simulator	4			✅	✅
CLASS D VHF
Icom M423GE VHF	Live	12	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
SATELLITE COMMS
Sailor 250 Inmarsat Fleet Broadband	PC Simulator	4				✅	✅
Sailor 6110 Inmarsat Sat-C	PC Simulator	4				✅	✅
NAVTEX
Lokata 1 Navtex	Live	3	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
ProSailor 6004 Navtex	PC Simulator	4				✅
EPIRBs
Various EPIRBS	Dummy	4	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
Various PLBs	Dummy	3	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
SARTS
Radar SART	Dummy	3	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
AIS SART	Dummy	2	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
HAND HELD VHFs
H/H GMDSS VHF	Dummy	5	✅	✅	✅	✅		✅
Sailor SP3920 H/H VHF	PC Simulator	4				✅

GMDSS Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to have my GMDSS certificate endorsed?

All officers under STCW must have their GMDSS Certificate of Competence endorsed by the MCA. This does not apply to LRC or SRC certificates.

Do I have to revalidate my radio certificate?

The Certificate of Competence does not expire, but STCW endorsements must be revalidated with evidence of sea time or recent basic training every 5 years.

What are the STCW Basic Safety Training changes from January 2017?

Refresher training for some elements is required every five years under the Manila Amendments. Refer to MIN 469 (M) from the MCA for more details.

Which GMDSS certificate is required for working on rigs?

It depends on the rig role. Crane operators often hold SRC; others may need LRC or GOC. Always check with the employer.

What certificate is required on an FPSO?

GOC for FPSOs under MCA jurisdiction. Fixed rigs fall under HSE; check with them directly.

What certificate is required for an SSB-equipped yacht?

The Long Range Certificate (LRC).

Do I need an LRC for a VHF and Iridium SAT phone on a yacht?

No. You need an SRC for VHF. No certificate is needed for Iridium.

Is a course required before the GMDSS exam?

Yes, an MCA-approved course is mandatory before taking the ROC or GOC exams.

Can I take the exam at a different location from the course?

It is technically possible but not recommended due to different equipment used at other centres.

Is the GMDSS exam booked separately?

No it is included as part of your course, unless you take the SRC online course in which case we will arrange it once you are ready. Please note the SRC course is subject to an exam fee to the RYA. The LRC, ROC and GOC courses are not.

Does military radio experience count?

No. You still must complete an MCA-approved course before taking the ROC or GOC exam.

Can a licensed amateur radio operator use marine transceivers?

No. Amateur licences do not allow use of marine frequencies, and vice versa.

Should I take ROC before GOC?

No, we cover all content from the ROC during the GOC course.

Is there any pre-course reading for my GMDSS course?

For all GMDSS courses you should start by learning the phonetic alphabet. For SRC courses we will send you a copy of the RYA SRC Handbook. For LRC courses we have produced some pre-reading – see the joining instructions for links. For ROC and GOC there is no pre-reading.

Who is AMERC?

AMERC (Association of Marine Electronic and Radio Colleges) previously oversaw GMDSS exams in the UK. From 12 May 2025 this function was brought in-house by the MCA, so AMERC has ceased trading and is now closed down.