GMDSS General Operators Certificate

The 8-day GMDSS General Operators Certificate (GOC) is the highest level GMDSS radio operator qualification and is suitable for professional mariners including Merchant Navy deck officers, offshore radio operators serving on mobile platforms, and commercial yachtmasters.

Holders of the GMDSS GOC are certified to operate all licensed marine radio equipment, including radiotelephony, digital selective calling, radio telex, and satellite mobile earth stations. The certificate can be STCW endorsed and permits the holder to operate the radio installation on GMDSS compliant/compulsorily equipped vessels operating in any of the GMDSS sea areas (A1-A4).

Course content

This intensive eight-day course prepares students for the GMDSS GOC exam. The course is delivered by a highly experienced team of professional communicators, providing both breadth and depth of operational and technical knowledge gained in industry. Course instructors are also experienced MCA GMDSS examiners who can provide targeted guidance and support to students.

The course is a structured mixture of theory and practical application and covers three main areas:

  • Radio regulations and procedures relating to Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
  • Practical operation of GMDSS systems
  • Radiotelephone procedures.

Students will gain detailed practical knowledge of the equipment of ship stations including digital selective calling (DSC), the principles of telex over radio, and to Inmarsat systems. Operational procedures and practices and the exchange of communications relevant to the safety of life at sea are also covered.

Course Availability & Fees

Open attendance courses are regularly available in the locations detailed below. Please select the appropriate link for further information, course dates/availability and fees.

Dover (Maritime Skills Academy)

Southampton (Warsash Maritime Academy)