MT02 - AMSA Approval - Global Maritime Distress & Safety System, General Operator's Certificate Course (GMDSS GOC)
1. Purpose
The following provides detail of the GMDSS equipment, lecturer's qualifications, reference information and assessment requirements for AMSA approval of the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS), General Operator's Certificate (GOC) Course. The approval method is aligned with the requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Model Course (1.25). Competency outcomes are prescribed in the Transport & Logistics Industry Skills Council (TLISC), Maritime Training Package (MTP) (reference TDMME807C).
For Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) approval of the GMDSS GOC course, a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) will be subject to the audit process as outlined in the AMSA Audits - STCW Certificates of Competency & Short Courses and will be required to make a submission as outlined in the guidance note, AMSA Approval - STCW Certificate of Competency and Short Courses.
2. Rejection of RTO submissions for AMSA course approval
AMSA reserves the right to reject a submission from an RTO seeking approval to provide training leading to the issue of an AMSA seafarer certificate under Marine Orders Part 3 – Seagoing Qualifications.
AMSA may reject a submission at its discretion, and will reject its submission when:
- There are already existing AMSA approved providers of the proposed course in the same area with under utilised facilities.
- Submissions are inadequate with respect to compliance with AMSA course guidelines or IMO Model courses, as appropriate.
- The RTO does not have appropriately qualified and experienced lecturers for delivery of the proposed course.
- The RTO does not have the necessary equipment or facilities to conduct the proposed course.
- The RTO does not have an audited and verified quality management system.
If a submission is rejected by AMSA feedback will be provided to the RTO stating the reasons why the submission was unacceptable. AMSA will then not accept a further submission from the RTO for a period of 12 months from the date of rejection. If the RTO chooses to make a new submission AMSA will charge the appropriate approval assessment fee.
3. Definitions
For clarification of terms and abbreviations within this procedure refer to the Definitions
4. Equipment
4.1 General
All GMDSS equipment used is to be SOLAS type approved. It is preferable that the type and make of equipment used is that which is commonly found on the majority of modern GMDSS equipped vessels.
The RTO is required to comply with the current performance standards for each type of equipment as detailed in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS) and Marine Orders Part 25 and 27. Where the RTO has an item of equipment duplicated only one of each type needs to comply with the current performance standard, with the other item of equipment permitted to comply with a previous performance standard. Where any equipment is replaced, the replacement equipment must comply with the current performance standard.
Where delays occur in the refitting of equipment to meet changes in performance standards, students are to be provided with brochures and material highlighting the major differences between the training provider's equipment and the equipment they are likely to encounter on a variety of vessels. Under such circumstances replacement equipment must be procured as soon as practicable.
4.2 Minimum equipment to be provided
1 x MF/HF transceiver
This is to be connected to an antenna, to enable 'on-air' testing. The antenna must be of a type normally found on GMDSS equipped ships, so that common faults and maintenance procedures may be demonstrated.
To prevent inadvertent transmission of distress messages to air, 'dummy' antenna facilities must be provided.
1 x complete operational MF/HF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) system, plus an additional DSC modem(s) able to be connected back/back to simulate DSC operations.
This may be either a combined modem/watchkeeping receiver, or a stand alone unit. The watchkeeping receiver must be a scanning MF/HF model.
The complete operational DSC system must be interfaced to the MF/HF transceiver. The installation must be able to generate the 'test' protocol on all DSC channels, and be capable of reliably exchanging 'test' protocol calls.
1 x Narrow Band Direct Printing (NBDP) system
This must be interfaced with the MF/HF transceiver, and be capable of communication with New Zealand coast radio stations.
1 x INMARSAT C system
This must be a complete system, with an approved message processor, printer, remote incoming message alarms and a remote distress initiation device.
Additional computers must be provided with INMARSAT C software, in order that more than one student may be instructed in operational procedures of the INMARSAT C system.
1 x VHF transceiver
1 x VHF DSC system with watch-keeping receiver
This may be incorporated in the VHF transceiver.
To prevent inadvertent transmission of distress messages to air, 'dummy' antenna facilities must be provided.
1 x NAVTEX receiver
1 x Search & Rescue Radio Transmitter (SART)
A dummy model to be provided for demonstration purposes only.
1 x AIS-Search and Rescue Transmitter (AIS-SART)
These devices are permitted to be carried in lieu of a radar SART from 1 January 2010.
While dummy AIS-SART's are not expected to be available for some time, RTOs should endeavour to obtain a dummy model for demonstration purposes only.
1 x 406 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) with float free bracket & hydrostatic release mechanism
Batteries must be removed, or the transmitter disabled from transmitting a 406 MHz data stream.
1 x survival craft portable VHF transceiver, and charger
A sealed primary battery is to be provided for demonstration purposes. This battery may be a 'demonstration' unit (either expired or 'hollow') however the seals must be in place.
1 x portable dummy VHF transceiver for on-scene communication for 121.5 and 123.1 Mhz
1 x Set of lead-acid wet-cell batteries, charger and DC power distribution arrangements (i.e.: circuit breaker panel as fitted to a GMDSS equipped ship)
It is desirable to leave one battery discharged, so that students may see the difference between specific gravity (SG) readings with a discharged and a charged battery. At least one hydrometer is to be provided.
If it is not possible to provide a safe lead-acid wet-cell battery/charger installation at the RTO for OH&S reasons, then the RTO shall provide sufficient dummy batteries or simulated batteries with a hydrometer for demonstration purposes.
Sealed lead-acid or other sealed batteries may be used with the charger and DC power distribution system.
4.3 Other equipment (optional)
In addition to the minimum equipment requirement details above, it is recommended the RTO considers supplying the following items of equipment for demonstration/training purposes:
- An Inmarsat Fleet77 live terminal, or computer simulation, for demonstration purposes;
- A Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) or Simplified Voyage Data Recorder (S-VDR);
- Shipboard Automatic Identification System (AIS), or computer simulation, for demonstration purposes.
Note: This equipment is a mandatory requirement as per SOLAS V/19.2.4 [refer to MSC 73/21/Add.2 - Annex 7] for ships constructed from 01 July 2002. All existing passenger ships and tankers have been equipped with this equipment since 01 July 2003, with other classes of vessels phased in thereafter. Although not strictly part of GMDSS equipment, as some form of interface with INMARSAT C is highly probable, tuition /introduction to this technology during the course is considered desirable.
The RTO may also consider supplying material/information for the following items of equipment, which GMDSS GOC operators may come into contact with during their career:
- Global Position Indicating Radio Beacon (GPIRB). A beacon incorporating a GPS unit capable of using COSPAS/SARSAT satellites;
- Personal Locating Beacon (PLB) designed for marine use.
5. Lecturer's Qualifications
The AMSA requirements for a prospective GMDSS GOC course lecturer are in accordance with the IMO Model Course (1.25), which states that 'instructors are required to have considerable experience in maritime radio communications, including GMDSS, and possess a good general knowledge of ships, maritime distress, urgency and safety as well as search and rescue matters'.
For a RTO to gain AMSA approval to present a GMDSS GOC course, the lecturer(s) should:
- Hold as a minimum:
- A valid Australian GMDSS GOC, or
- An Australian GMDSS GOC, Certificate of Recognition, or
- An equivalent or higher qualification.
AND
- A Level IV Certificate for Assessment & Workplace Training. - Under supervision, have delivered at least one full approved GMDSS GOC course to the satisfaction of an already approved AMSA GMDSS GOC course lecturer.
It is highly recommended that a prospective GMDSS GOC lecturer understudy (as an assistant lecturer to an already approved AMSA GMDSS GOC lecturer) at least one AMSA approved GMDSS GOC course before conducting a course themselves.
6. Student / Lecturer Ratio
AMSA requires that the student to lecturer ratio is limited to a maximum of 10:1. This will permit small group tuition in the practical training of operating the equipment and students to practice individually in the operating the equipment.
7. Syllabus / Course duration
The course is to be structured on:
- Maritime Training Package (TDMME807C);
- The IMO Model Course (1.25), and
- The Australian Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Handbook.
As recommended by the IMO Model Course the course is to be conducted over an 8 to 10 day period and, in addition to the 66 nominal hours, involve additional practical periods as deemed necessary, theoretical tutorial time and assignment homework.
8. Assessment
The assessment is to be conducted by the AMSA approved lecturer at the conclusion of the course, in a two-part assessment aligned with the recommendation of the IMO Model Course (1.25):
- A fifty (50) question multiple choice examination (minimum pass mark is to be set at seventy percent (70%)); and
- Each student is to individually complete a practical assessment in operating the GMDSS equipment.
The multiple-choice examination is to be created from a standard question bank, which AMSA will supply on request. The practical assessment is to be conducted in accordance with a standardised format and assessment regime.
9. Reference material
Suitable resource material is to be provided, and must include, but is not limited to:
- At least one current copy of each of the publications required under Marine Orders Part 27;
- A current Australian Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Handbook;
- Current Marine Orders Part 6;
- Relevant IMO documentation, and
- Operator Manuals for the GMDSS equipment provided by the training provider.