M.S. Notice 20 of 1998
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Subject : Indian
Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS) General Operator's
Certificate (GOC) |
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01 Introduction 03 Syllabus 07 Approved Training Institutions 09 Eligibility for Foreign Nationals 11 GMDSS Certificates to NCV Certificate Holders 15 Continued Proficiency for STCW 1995 Endorsement Annexure I Course Outline Annexure III Payment of Fees Annexure V Application for STCW Endorsement
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02
GMDSS (GOC) Examination Schedule
06 Fees 10 Recognition of UK Certificates 12 Issuance of STCW Endorsement for GMDSS Certificate 16 Eligibility to operate GMDSS Equipment Annexure II GMDSS (GOC) Examination Sample Paper Annexure IV Approved Training Institutions List Annexure VI STCW Endorsement Certificate (Specimen) |
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DIRECTORATE
GENERAL OF SHIPPING
F.No.8-NT(1)/96-II
12TH
November, 1998
Merchant Shipping Notice No. 20/98 SUB: INDIAN GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS & SAFETY SYSTEMS (GMDSS) GENERAL OPERATOR'S CERTIFICATE (GOC) 1.1 As per STCW Convention 1978, as amended in 1995 (STCW 1995), Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Rule 1998 and Merchant Shipping (Distress & Safety Communication) Rules 1995, every person in-charge of or performing radiocommunication function on board a ship, shall hold an appropriate certificate related to the GMDSS issued or recognised by the Administration under the provisions of the Radio Regulations framed under International Telecommunication Union (ITU). 1.2. In India, ITU Conventions are implemented by the Wireless Adviser to the Government of India in the Ministry of Communications (MOC). As such, the same ministry upon successful completion of approved examination issues GOC for GMDSS. However, STCW 95 requires that the said GOC Certificate shall carry a STCW Endorsement issued by the administration. The Director General of Shipping (DGS) implements STCW 95 Convention in India under Ministry of Surface Transport. Hence the STCW Endorsement for GOC will be issued by the DGS. To facilitate above, MOC & DGS conduct GOC examination jointly. Absence of STCW endorsement renders the GOC invalid for performing the Radio communication function on board a vessel. All Shipping Masters, Ship Owners, Agents and Seafarers are required to ensure that GMDSS (GOC) certificates carry STCW endorsement prior to joining the vessel as Radio Operator on GMDSS vessel.
2. GMDSS (GOC) EXAMINATION SCHEDULE: GMDSS (GOC) examination approved by Government of India has commenced since April 1997. This examination is conducted jointly by the Ministry of Communications and DG Shipping once every month. 20 to 21 such examinations are proposed to be held every year from 1999. The schedule of dates of the examinations to be conducted in 1999 and there after will be circulated in advance every year.
The examinations shall be conducted after completion of the course and results thereof declared immediately after the examination. Provisional Certificates are issued immediately to successful candidates. It is intended to issue a full term certificates within 15 days from the date of issue of the provisional certificates. Backlog of issue of full term certificates to all candidates who have already passed the GMDSS (GOC) examinations and not issued with full term certificates is expected to be completed by end of November 1998. Approved institutions generally conduct the 90 hours course spread over ten working days. This schedule may be amended from time to time as jointly agreed by MOC and DGS. The examinations are conducted in two parts - 5.1 Part I consist of written examination including Regulation/Theory and SOLAS.
Regulations/Theory 30 marks Duration of the above examination is 1 hour. Passmarks required are 60 %. 5.2 Part II consists of Log Keeping and Practicals. The candidates are required to qualify in Part I to be eligible for appearing in Part II of the examination. After passing in Part I, candidate can appear for two re-sits within one year.
Practicals/Orals 70 marks Passmarks required are 70 %. Model question paper is enclosed as Annex II.
They are as under: i) Ministry of Communication GMDSS (GOC) examination fees Rs.500/- or as amended from time to time. ii) Directorate General of Shipping fees Radiocommunication function written Rs. 500/- and orals Rs. 500/- i.e. Total of Rs.1000/- [as per Rule 50 Schedule Fees 1. (d) or as amended from time to time.] 6.3 All GMDSS (GOC) approved training institutions shall collect the above mentioned fees in advance at the time of application from all candidates appearing in the examinations. Fees of Rs.1000/- per candidate collected for Radio Communication function shall be deposited by the Approved Institutions to the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department of the respective district by Demand draft / Pay Order drawn in the name of Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department. Fees shall be deposited along with a duly completed form in the prescribed format enclosed as Annex III. 7. APPROVED TRANING INSTITUTIONS: 7.1 The GMDSS (GOC) Certificate Course is being conducted presently at the following approved training institutions listed in Annex IV 7.2 Details of other institutions as approved from time to time will be circulated. The permission to conduct GMDSS (GOC) training to the approved institutions may be suspended / withdrawn, if it is observed that the guidelines as laid down by MOC/DGS and as amended from time to time are not complied with or there is frequent discontinuity in conducting the course as per schedule prescribed by MOC/DGS. Any candidate who is holding a valid Certificate of Competency issued by DGS or Certificate of Proficiency issued by MOC can appear for the GMDSS (GOC) Examination except as provided in para 11. Eligibility criteria for other candidates are laid down in the MOC guidelines, which may be obtained from any of the approved institutions. 9. ELIGIBILITY FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS: Foreign nationals holding Certificate of Competency, Certificate of Proficiency or meeting other eligibility criteria as laid down in MOC guidelines are also permitted to appear at the GMDSS (GOC) Examination subject to their submitting their particulars in the prescribed form as issued by MOC. Provisional certificates will be issued to the successful foreign nationals immediately after the declaration of the results but the full term certificate will only be issued on MOC obtaining clearance from the Home Ministry which may take upto three months. 10. RECOGNITION OF UK CERTIFICATES Suitable guidelines will be issued by the DG Shipping in consultation with the Wireless Planning and Co-ordination (WPC) Wing of Ministry of Communications detailing the procedure for recognition of U.K. Certificates. 11. ISSUE OF GMDSS CERTIFICATES TO NCV CERTIFICATE HOLDERS The NCV candidates may attend the GMDSS (GOC) course and appear for the examination on the basis of a declaration issued by the head of the Post-Sea Institute in which they are undergoing education and training for appearing in NCV certificate examination. The said declaration should confirm that the candidate is eligible for appearing in the said NCV examination. The candidates who qualify in the GMDSS (GOC) examination will be issued with provisional certificate. However, full term certificates will be issued only after the candidate has obtained NCV Certificate of Competency. 12. ISSUANCE OF STCW ENDORSEMENT FOR GMDSS CERTIFICATE Article VI(2) of STCW 95 prescribes that the certificates for master and officers shall be endorsed In accordance with Regulation I/2.3 of STCW 95, it has been decided by Indian Administration that every "Radio Operator" holding GMDSS Certificate will be required to undergo following courses to obtain STCW 1995 endorsement: 13.1 Personal safety and Social Responsibilities as per A-VI/1-4 13.2 Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat as per A-VI/2-1. 13.3 Advance Fire Fighting Course as per A-VI/3. 13.4 Medical First Aid as per A-VI/4-2. Every such Radio Operator complying with the above requirements shall apply for issue of above STCW Endorsement in a prescribed format as per Annex V, to the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department Mumbai / Calcutta / Chennai. The concerned Principal Officer shall issue such endorsement for a period not exceeding five years.
Every such Radio Operator complying with the above requirements shall apply for issuance of above STCW Endorsement Certificates in a prescribed format as per Annex V, to the Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department Mumbai / Calcutta / Chennai. The Principal Officer shall issue such STCW 1978 endorsement which shall not be valid beyond 31/01/2002. 14.2 Application for STCW endorsement can be submitted to Principal Officer through the owners or local agents. Application should contain a copy of all relevant certificates / documents as enclosures. Such copies are required to be authenticated by Indian Master of the vessel giving his certificate No. and place of issue or by an Indian owner, an agent of foreign shipowner based in India or by a Member of FOSMA or MASSA. The Applicant may arrange to pay the requisite fees to Principal Officer for such endorsement. 14.3 The applicant may authorise any of said representative as stated in para 14.2 to collect the endorsement on his behalf for onward delivery. On receiving the endorsement the candidate shall immediately affix his signature on the endorsement. It is essential that the candidate's signature on the said endorsement and that on the application for endorsement should match with his signature as entered on GMDSS (GOC) Certificate. 15. Continued Proficiency for STCW 1995 Endorsement. In addition every Radio Operator for continued proficiency for STCW 95 endorsement is required to produce following. 15.1. Medical fitness Certificate, particularly regarding eyesight, hearing and speech. 15.2.1Approved seagoing service, performing functions appropriate to the certificate held, for a period of at least one year in total during the preceding five years; OR 15.2.2Having performed functions considered to be equivalent to the sea going service required in para 15.2.1; OR 15.3 One of the following: 15.3.1 Passing an approved test, OR 15.3.2 Successfully completing an approved course or courses, OR Having completed approved sea going service, performing functions appropriate to the certificate held, for a period of not less than 3 months in a supernumerary capacity.
16. ELIGIBILITY TO OPERATE GMDSS EQUIPMENT:
Every
Radio Operator holding GMDSS (GOC) Certificate and STCW endorsement,
shall before taking charge of a radio installation on board the
ship shall perform duties associated with radio watch keeping and
maintenance under the guidance of a qualified radio operator for
a total period of at least 30 days at sea.
Sd/-
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xiv) GMDSS satellite Distress, Urgency and Safety communication Procedures.
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