General Operator For Global Maritime Distress And Safety System Course

This is the training handbook for the GMDSS General Operator (GOC) course, which prepares ship radio operators under IMO Resolution A.703(17) and STCW’78 Regulation IV/2, run by PT Hugos Maritime Services with STIP and approved by the Panama Maritime Authority. The course lasts 108 hours over 14 days (55 theory, 53 practical on a Wartsila simulator) for a maximum of 8 participants, who must be over 18, know English, have basic computer skills, and hold a valid medical certificate, and who pass with 90% attendance and a final score of at least 71 (written exam 40%, practical exam 60%). Its ten units cover the history of GMDSS, the legal framework (SOLAS Chapter IV, Radio Regulations, sea areas A1 to A4, certificates, call priorities, radio logs), station identification, service publications, technical basics (propagation, antennas, batteries, DSC, radiotelex), and the core GMDSS components such as VHF and MF/HF DSC and voice procedures (MAYDAY, PAN PAN, SECURITE), Inmarsat, COSPAS-SARSAT, EPIRBs, SARTs, NAVTEX, and EGC, followed by AIS, SSAS, search and rescue under the IAMSAR Manual, ship reporting systems (AMVER, JASREP, MASTREP, LRIT), and maritime English communication skills. Throughout, it emphasizes efficient emergency communication, preventing false distress alerts, and the rule that every ship sailing in areas A2, A3, or A4 must carry at least one GOC holder.