Revalidation of the GMDSS General Operator Certificate (GOC) and Restricted Operator Certificate (ROC)

13 Jun 2019 / Singapore

According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Shipping Circular to Ship Owners No. 7 of 2019, the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) has issued a circular on the requirements for the revalidation of GMDSS General Operator Certificate (GOC) and Restricted Operator Certificates (ROC).

According to the circular, the certificates of competency for ship station operators issued by the IMDA are in accordance with the requirements of Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers ("STCW Convention") of the International Maritime Organisation ("IMO"). The holder of a certificate of competency for ship station operators who is serving on board ship at sea or intending to serve on board ship after a period ashore shall, in order to continue to qualify for sea service as a radio operator, have his certificate of competency revalidated by IMDA.

Under the Telecommunications (Certificates of Competency for Ship Station Operators) Regulations, a certificate holder shall revalidate his GOC or ROC at intervals not exceeding 5 years from the date of issue or revalidation.

With effect from 01 August 2019, the following procedures will be adopted for the revalidation of GOC or ROC:

Scenario 1

Revalidation of GOC or ROC within 12 months before its expiry date:

  • Working on board ship for at least a period of 12 months in total during the preceding 5 years or 3 months in total during the preceding 6 months immediately prior to revalidation - Proceed to submit application to IMDA for revalidation of certificate
  • Working on board ship for less than a period of 12 months in total during the preceding 5 years or 3 months in total during the preceding 6 months immediately prior to revalidation - Attend a refresher course for GMDSS GOC at a Singapore training institution recognised by IMDA and attend a full GMDSS ROC course at a Singapore training institution recognised by IMDA.
  • Working ashore without sea service record - Applicant to provide company letter stating relevant work scopes and experiences for IMDA review. Subject to approval on case by case basis.

Scenario 2

Revalidation of GOC or ROC within 12 months before its expiry date:

  • Attend a full GMDSS GOC/ROC course at Singapore training institution recognised by IMDA.

Ship owners are advised to disseminate the above information to personnel involved in operating the ship radio station for compliance.

Please note that a valid GOC or ROC is required for the issuance and revalidation of Deck Officer’s Certificate of Competency.

For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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