WHO REQUIRES A GMDSS GOC CONVERSION?
Holders of an STCW GOC Certificate of Competence from an administration other than the MCA, who wish to obtain a UK STCW GOC certificate are permitted to attend only the last three days of a GOC course and sit the full examination in order to obtain a UK GOC Certificate.
WHERE IS THE GMDSS GENERAL OPERATOR CERTIFICATE (GOC) CONVERSION COURSE RUN?
- Chieftain Training, Hamble, Southampton
- Chieftain Training, Helensburgh, Scotland
The GMDSS GOC Conversion Course is run from both our Helensburgh and Hamble Training Centres.
GMDSS GOC GENERAL OPERATOR CERTIFICATE GOC OVERVIEW
The STCW GOC is the highest level marine radio qualification within the GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress & Safety System). GOC Certificate of Competence holders can operate any marine radio equipment on any vessel anywhere on the planet. The certificate complies with the STCW code.
HOW LONG DOES GOC CONVERSION COURSE TAKE?
The GOC course is 3 days including the exam.
WHAT ARE THE GMDSS GENERAL OPERATOR CERTIFICATE CONVERSION COURSE PRE REQUISITES?
- Candidates must be fluent in the English language
- Minimum age 18
- Have learnt the Phonetic Alphabet before your course
- Hold a GOC Course Completion Certificate from an alternative administration (nation)
- Hold a STCW GOC Certificate of Competence from an alternative administration (nation)
WHAT IS COVERED ON THE GMDSS GOC CONVERSION COURSE?
The GOC Conversion course is effectivly the last three days of our GOC course. It will help prepare you for the final exam. The exam has three components:
- Written Paper – Radio Procedures and Regulations
- Voice Exercise – Simulated Distress Communications
- Practical Exam – Use of GMDSS Equipment
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE GMDSS GENERAL OPERATOR CONVERSION COURSE?
- Use of our Class A VHF, MF, HF Radios
- Use of our Transas 5000 GMDSS simulators
- Use of our live Navtex sets and other simulators
- 3 days of training and exam
- GMDSS Course Notes (inc UK postage)
- Free Tea and Coffee
- Free (on street) parking
- GOC Course Completion Certificate
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE GMDSS GOC COURSE?
- Lunch
- Overseas postage of the pre course notes
- MCA certification fee (paid directly to them after your course for the issue of the Certificate of Competence).
The GOC certificate can be STCW endorsed by the MCA for those who require a Certificate of Competence to operate radio equipment onboard “GMDSS compulsory fit” vessels operating in GMDSS Sea areas (A1 – A4). This is done by completing the necessary form on the last day of your course.
WHAT RATIO IS THE GMDSS GENERAL OPERATOR CERTIFICATE (GOC) CONVERSION COURSE TAUGHT TO
A maximum of 12 students to 1 instructor, however we run the course with as few as 3 students, (or even 1:1 and 2:1 for bespoke courses).
The MNTB and MCA insist that GOC Training centres catering for up to eight students have at least one SSB, one Class A VHF, one Sat-C, one Fleet Broadband and one Navtex for use throughout their course. We smash those equipment ratios and in many cases have one radio per person. See GMDSS Courses for an up to date list of the equipment in our GMDSS suite.