The Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) is an internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment, and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft. The GMDSS consists of several systems and is intended to perform: Alerting, Search and Rescue coordination and locating, Maritime Safety information broadcasts, General Communications, and Bridge to Bridge Communications.

About This Course:

This nationally mandated ten day course is an essential pre-requisite for anyone seeking employment in the international maritime industry. Successful completion of this course can lead to the issue of an AMSA GMDSS General Operators Certificate. This course is for seafarers who intend working as watch keepers on GMDSS vessels. You will learn how to operate all GMDSS equipment. Training is conducted on a simulator and on live equipment. It is conducted in accordance with the requirements of Regulation IV/2 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended in 1995. There is a written, oral and practical examination at the end of the course.

The Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS) course is approved by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). All ships over 300 gross tonnes are subject to the International Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and for international voyages are required to be GMDSS compliant. All Australian GMDSS equipped ship stations must be under the control of an operator holding either First Class Radio-Electronic Certificate, Second Class Radio-Electronic Certificate, or the GMDSS GOC.

Governments worldwide are now implementing the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). The basic concept of GMDSS is that search and rescue authorities ashore, as well as ships in the immediate vicinity of a ship in distress, will be rapidly alerted to a distress incident so they can assist in a co-ordinated search and rescue operation with the minimum of delay. GMDSS uses digital selective calling techniques for communication using MF, HF and VHF radiotelephone, HF radio telex and satellite communication using INMARSAT-C ship earth stations. Anyone who operates this equipment must hold a GMDSS General Operator's Certificate.

On successful completion of the program students can apply for an Australia GMDSS General Certificate to the Australia Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). The certificate is valid for 5 years.