In line with the latest Government Guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, BIM’s National Fisheries Colleges in both Castletownbere, Greencastle and our Coastal Training Units will be closed until the end of January 2021.
We will publish updates as they become available.
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) is primarily vessel-to-shore alerting system where Rescue Co-ordination Centres (RCCs) receive distress alerts from vessels and then co-ordinate an appropriate rescue response.
Next courses scheduled:
GMDSS Short Range Certificate (Modules 1 and 2)
Duration: 3 days
Course Cost: €175.00
- 26-28 Jan, 2021, CTU1 Newport, Co. Mayo, contact Bob Walsh on +353 87 6837134
- 29-31 Mar, 2021, NFC Greencastle, contact maria.mccarron@bim.ie on +353 74 9381068
GMDSS Short Range Certificate (Module 2)
- No courses scheduled at the moment
GMDSS General Operator Certificate (GOC)
Duration: Two weeks
Course Cost: €650.00
- 18-29 Jan 2021, NFC Castletownbere, contact della.osullivan@bim.ie on +353 27 71230
- NFC Greencastle, contact maria.mccarron@bim.ie on +353 74 9381068
GMDSS Restricted Operators Certificate (ROC)
Duration: Five days
Course Cost: €250.00
-
No courses scheduled at the moment
GMDSS Long Range Certificate (Modules 1,2 and 3)
Duration: One week
Course Cost: €325.00
- For next scheduled course in our college in NFC Greencastle, contact maria.mccarron@bim.ie on +353 74 9381068
What GMDSS Radio Operator Certification do I require?
The required certification depends on:
- Classification of Vessel
- Area of Operation
1. Classification of Vessel
Classification |
Registered Length |
Class I |
Greater than or equal to 24 metres |
Class II |
Greater than or equal to 17 metres and less than 24 metres |
Class III |
Greater than or equal to 12 metres and less than 17 metres |
Class IV |
Less than 12 metres |
2. Area of Operation
Classification |
Limits of Sea Areas |
Area A1 |
Operates within range of a coast radio station fitted with VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment, approximately 30 to 35 nautical miles |
Area A2 |
Operates within range of a coast radio station fitted with MF Digital Selective Calling equipment, approximately 100 to 150 nautical miles |
Area A3 |
Operates within range of the Inmarsat satellite system |
Area A4 |
Operates in the polar regions of 70 degrees North and South of 70 degrees |
3. Certification Required
Class of Vessel |
Area of Operation |
Certification required |
Training duration |
Class I |
A1 |
GMDSS Restricted Operators Certificate |
4 Days |
Class I |
A2, A3, A4 |
GMDSS General Operators Certificate |
10 Days |
Class II & III |
A1 |
GMDSS Restricted Operators Certificate |
4 Days |
Class II & III |
A2, A3, A4 |
GMDSS Long Range Certificate |
5 Days |
Class II & III |
A1 |
GMDSS Short Range Certificate (Module 1) |
2 Days |
Class IV |
A1 and A2 |
GMDSS Long Range Certificate |
5 Days |
Successful completion of a course leads to a Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport GMDSS Radio Communications Certificate.