Long Range Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate
5. Examination Syllabus
The information contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 has been extracted from Annex 1 and 2 of the text of the recommendation proposed by the Working Group "Radio Regulatory (RR) for the Harmonised Examination Procedures for the General Operator's Certificate (GOC) - Recommendation T/R 31-05 E (Bonn 1994).
5.1 The Examination Syllabus for the CEPT Long Range Radiotelephone Operator's
Certificate of Competence (LRC) for vessels not subject to compulsory fit under the SOLAS Convention
The examination should consist of theoretical and practical tests and should include at least:
(a) General knowledge of radiocommunications in the maritime mobile service.
The general principles and basic features of the maritime mobile service.
(b) Detailed practical knowledge and ability to use radio equipment.
(i) The VHF radio installation. Use VHF equipment in practice.
(ii) The MF/HF radio installation. Use MF/HF equipment in practice.
(iii) Purpose and use of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) facilities.
(c) Operational procedures of the GMDSS and detailed practical operation of GMDSS subsystems and equipment appropriate to non-SOLAS vessels.
(i) Basic introduction to Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)procedures.
(ii) Distress, urgency and safety communication procedures in the GMDSS.
(iii) Protection of distress frequencies.
(iv) Maritime Safety Information (MSI) systems in the GMDSS.
(v) Alerting and locating signals in the GMDSS.
(d) Miscellaneous skills and operational procedures for radiotelephone communications.
(i) Ability to exchange communications relevant to the safety of life at sea.
(ii) Regulations, obligatory procedures and practices.
(iii) Practical and theoretical knowledge of radiotelephone procedures.
5.2 Guidelines for the CEPT Long Range Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate of Competence (LRC) for vessels not subject to compulsory fit under the SOLAS Convention.
5.2.1 General knowledge of radiocommunications and basic features of the maritime mobile service.
The general principles and basic features of the maritime mobile service.
(a) Types of communication in the maritime mobile service.
(i) Distress, urgency and safety communications.
(ii) Public correspondence.
(iii) Port operations service.
(iv) Ship movement service.
(v) Intership communication.
(vi) On board communications.
(b) Types of station in the maritime mobile service.
(i) Ship stations.
(ii) Coast stations.
(iii) Pilot stations.
(iv) Port stations etc.
(v) Aircraft stations.
(vi) Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC).
(c) Elementary knowledge of radio frequencies and frequency bands.
(i) Frequency and wavelength.
(ii) The unit of frequency: Hz, kHz, MHz, GHz.
(iii) The subdivision of the most significant part of the radio spectrum: MF, HF, VHF, UHF, SHF.
(iv) Propagation on MF, HF frequency bands, VHF and UHF.
(d) Frequencies allocated to the maritime mobile service.
(i) Usage of MF, HF, VHF, UHF and SHF frequencies in the maritime mobile service.
(ii) Modes of communications (e.g. radiotelephony, DSC NBDP, Facsimile) and classes of emission.
(iii) Bandwidth of different emissions, carrier frequency and assigned frequency.
(iv) Official designations of emission e.g. F1B, J3E, A3E, F4 etc.). Unofficial designations of emissions (e.g. TLX, SSB, AM, FM etc.).
(v) The concept of radio channel: simplex, semi-duplex and duplex; paired and unpaired channels.
(vi) Frequency plans and channelling systems in the VHF, MF and HF maritime mobile bands, including allocations for the GMDSS.
(vii) Distress and safety frequencies.
(viii)Small craft safety. Intership communications.
(xi) Port Operations. Ship movement.
(x) Calling frequencies.
(e) Maintaining the functionality of ship station equipment.
(i) Sources of energy of ship stations.
(ii) Types of batteries and their characteristics.
(iii) Charging. Maintenance of batteries.
5.2.2 Detailed practical knowledge and ability to use radio equipment.
(a) The VHF radio installation.
Channel selection and controls. Dual watch facilities.
Basic controls and usage, e.g. Connecting the power. Press to transmit switch. High/low output power switch. Volume control. Squelch control. Dimmer.
Portable two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus.
Maritime VHF antennae and their maintenance.
(b) The MF/HF radio installation.
Frequencies/channels and selection criteria.
Typical controls and usage, e.g. Connecting the power. Selecting RX frequency. Selecting Tx. frequency. Selecting ITU channel number. Tuning the transmitter. Selecting the class of emission. Using the volume control and squelch. Using the clarifier or RX fine tuning. Controlling the RF gain. Using the 2182 kHz instant selector. Testing the alarm generator. Using the alarm generator.
(c) Purpose and use of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) facilities.
The general principles and basic features of DSC.
DSC messages.
DSC single frequency call attempt and multi-frequency call attempt.
Call acknowledgement. Call relay.
Types of call. Distress call. All ships call. Call to individual station. Geographical area call. Group call. Call to individual station using automatic/semi-automatic service.
The Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) Number System. The MMSI system. The nationality identification: Maritime Identification Digits (MID). Ship station numbers. Group calling numbers. Coast station numbers.
Call categorisation and priorit€n-)istress. Urgency. Safety. Ship business. Routine.
Call telecommand and traffic information. Distress alerts. Designated distress alerts. Undesignated distress alerts. Distress co-ordinates. Time and validity of distress co-ordinates. Other calls and messages. Working frequency and channel information.
DSC facilities and usage. The channel-70 instant alert selector The 2187.5 kHz instant alert selector. Manual settings J2B and F1B modes, e.g.. 2187.5 kHz, 2185.8 kHz and 8414.5 kHz/8412.8 kHz.. DSC data entry and display. Updating vessel position. Entering pre-set message, entering traffic information, reviewing received messages. DSC watchkeeping functions and controls.
Testing of DSC. Internal self testing procedures. Live transmission testing.
5.2.3 Operational procedures of the GMDSS and detailed practical operation of the GMDSS subsystems and equipment appropriate to non-SOLAS vessels.
(a) Search and Rescue (SAR) Procedures in the GMDSS.
(i) Sea Areas, the GMDSS master plan, and access to GMDSS facilities.
(ii) The role of RCCs.
(iii) Organisation of Search and Rescue.
(b) Distress, urgency and safety communication procedures in the GMDSS.
(i) Distress communications via DSC equipment. DSC distress alert- the definition of DSC alert, transmission of a distress alert, transmission of a shore-to-ship distress alert relay, transmission of a distress alert by a station not itself in distress. Receipt and acknowledgement of DSC distress alert acknowledgement procedure, receipt and acknowledgement by a coast station, receipt and acknowledgement by a ship station. Handling of distress alerts- preparations for handling of distress traffic, distress traffic terminology. On-scene communications. SAR operations.
(ii) Urgency and Safety communications via DSC equipment. The meaning of urgency and safety communications. Procedures for DSC urgency and safety calls. Urgency communications. Safety communications.
(c) Distress, urgency and safety communication procedures by radiotelephony in the old distress and safety system.
(i) Distress communications. Radiotelephone alarm signal- format and purpose. Distress signal- correct use and meaning of the signal MAYDAY. Distress call. Distress message. Acknowledgement of a distress message - obligation to acknowledge a distress message, correct form of acknowledgement, action to be taken following acknowledgement. The control of distress traffic - correct use and meanings of the signals: SEELONCE MAYDAY, SEELONCE DISTRESS, PRUDONCE, and SEELONCE FENEE.
Transmission of a distress message by a station not itself in distress - correct use and meaning of the signal MAYDAY RELAY.
(ii) Urgency communications. Urgency signal - correct use and meaning of the signal PAN-PAN. Urgency message. Obtaining urgent medical advice through a Coast Radio Station.
(iii) Safety communications. Safety signal - correct use and meaning of the signal SECURITE. Safety message. Special procedures for communications with appropriate national organisations on matters affecting safety.
(d) Protection of distress frequencies.
(i) Avoiding harmful interference.
(ii) Transmissions during distress traffic.
(iii) Prevention of unauthorised transmissions.
(iv) Test protocols and procedures. Testing DSC equipment.
(v) Radiotelephone test procedures.
(vi) Guard bands.
(vii) Procedures to follow when a false distress alert is transmitted.
(e) Maritime Safety Information (MSI) systems in the GMDSS.
(i) Safety information transmitted by VHF/MF/HF radiotelephony.
(ii) The NAVTEX system. Purpose of NAVTEX. NAVTEX frequencies. Antenna for the NAVTEX receiver. Reception range. Message format (transmitter ID, message type, message number). The NAVTEX receiver - selection of transmitters, selection of message type, messages which cannot be rejected, use of subsidiary controls, ensuring the integrity of message output.
(f) Alerting and Locating Signals in the GMDSS.
(i) Purpose and definition.
(ii) Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs). Registration and Coding. Information contents of a distress alert. Operation including automatic (float-free) and manual activation and avoidance of false alerts - COSPAS/SARSAT 406 MHz EPIRB, Inmarsat-E 1.6 GHz EPIRB, VHF-DSC EPIRB, 121.5 MHz homing function, mounting considerations. Routine maintenance. Battery expire date, checking the float-free mechanism.
(iii) Search and Rescue Radar Transponder (SART)The main technical characteristics. Operation - operating height, effect of radar reflector. Range of a SART transmitter. Routine maintenance of a SART - checking battery expire date.
5.2.4 Miscellaneous Skills and operational procedures for radiotelephone communications.
(a) Ability to exchange communications relevant to the safety of life at sea.
(i) Awareness of the existence and use of the IMO Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary and knowledge of the basic signals: ALL AFTER; ALL BEFORE; CORRECT; CORRECTION; IN FIGURES; IN LETTERS; I SAY AGAIN; I SPELL; OUT; OVER; RADIO CHECK; READ BACK; RECEIVED; SAY AGAIN; STATION CALLING; TEXT; TRAFFIC; THIS IS; WAIT; WORD AFTER; WORD BEFORE; WRONG.
(ii) Recognised standard abbreviations and commonly used service codes.
(iii) Use of international phonetic alphabet.
The general principles and basic features of the maritime mobile service.
(a) Types of communication in the maritime mobile service.
(i) Distress, urgency and safety communications.
(ii) Public correspondence.
(iii) Port operations service.
(iv) Ship movement service.
(v) Intership communication.
(vi) On board communications.
(b) Types of station in the maritime mobile service.
(i) Ship stations.
(ii) Coast stations.
(iii) Pilot stations.
(iv) Port stations etc.
(v) Aircraft stations.
(vi) Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC).
(c) Elementary knowledge of radio frequencies and frequency bands.
(i) Frequency and wavelength.
(ii) The unit of frequency: Hz, kHz, MHz, GHz.
(iii) The subdivision of the most significant part of the radio spectrum: MF, HF, VHF, UHF, SHF.
(iv) Propagation on MF, HF frequency bands, VHF and UHF.
(d) Frequencies allocated to the maritime mobile service.
(i) Usage of MF, HF, VHF, UHF and SHF frequencies in the maritime mobile service.
(ii) Modes of communications (e.g. radiotelephony, DSC NBDP, Facsimile) and classes of emission.
(iii) Bandwidth of different emissions, carrier frequency and assigned frequency.
(iv) Official designations of emission e.g. F1B, J3E, A3E, F4 etc.). Unofficial designations of emissions (e.g. TLX, SSB, AM, FM etc.).
(v) The concept of radio channel: simplex, semi-duplex and duplex; paired and unpaired channels.
(vi) Frequency plans and channelling systems in the VHF, MF and HF maritime mobile bands, including allocations for the GMDSS.
(vii) Distress and safety frequencies.
(viii)Small craft safety. Intership communications.
(xi) Port Operations. Ship movement.
(x) Calling frequencies.
(e) Maintaining the functionality of ship station equipment.
(i) Sources of energy of ship stations.
(ii) Types of batteries and their characteristics.
(iii) Charging. Maintenance of batteries.
5.2.2 Detailed practical knowledge and ability to use radio equipment.
(a) The VHF radio installation.
Channel selection and controls. Dual watch facilities.
Basic controls and usage, e.g. Connecting the power. Press to transmit switch. High/low output power switch. Volume control. Squelch control. Dimmer.
Portable two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus.
Maritime VHF antennae and their maintenance.
(b) The MF/HF radio installation.
Frequencies/channels and selection criteria.
Typical controls and usage, e.g. Connecting the power. Selecting RX frequency. Selecting Tx. frequency. Selecting ITU channel number. Tuning the transmitter. Selecting the class of emission. Using the volume control and squelch. Using the clarifier or RX fine tuning. Controlling the RF gain. Using the 2182 kHz instant selector. Testing the alarm generator. Using the alarm generator.
(c) Purpose and use of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) facilities.
The general principles and basic features of DSC.
DSC messages.
DSC single frequency call attempt and multi-frequency call attempt.
Call acknowledgement. Call relay.
Types of call. Distress call. All ships call. Call to individual station. Geographical area call. Group call. Call to individual station using automatic/semi-automatic service.
The Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) Number System. The MMSI system. The nationality identification: Maritime Identification Digits (MID). Ship station numbers. Group calling numbers. Coast station numbers.
Call categorisation and priorit€n-)istress. Urgency. Safety. Ship business. Routine.
Call telecommand and traffic information. Distress alerts. Designated distress alerts. Undesignated distress alerts. Distress co-ordinates. Time and validity of distress co-ordinates. Other calls and messages. Working frequency and channel information.
DSC facilities and usage. The channel-70 instant alert selector The 2187.5 kHz instant alert selector. Manual settings J2B and F1B modes, e.g.. 2187.5 kHz, 2185.8 kHz and 8414.5 kHz/8412.8 kHz.. DSC data entry and display. Updating vessel position. Entering pre-set message, entering traffic information, reviewing received messages. DSC watchkeeping functions and controls.
Testing of DSC. Internal self testing procedures. Live transmission testing.
5.2.3 Operational procedures of the GMDSS and detailed practical operation of the GMDSS subsystems and equipment appropriate to non-SOLAS vessels.
(a) Search and Rescue (SAR) Procedures in the GMDSS.
(i) Sea Areas, the GMDSS master plan, and access to GMDSS facilities.
(ii) The role of RCCs.
(iii) Organisation of Search and Rescue.
(b) Distress, urgency and safety communication procedures in the GMDSS.
(i) Distress communications via DSC equipment. DSC distress alert- the definition of DSC alert, transmission of a distress alert, transmission of a shore-to-ship distress alert relay, transmission of a distress alert by a station not itself in distress. Receipt and acknowledgement of DSC distress alert acknowledgement procedure, receipt and acknowledgement by a coast station, receipt and acknowledgement by a ship station. Handling of distress alerts- preparations for handling of distress traffic, distress traffic terminology. On-scene communications. SAR operations.
(ii) Urgency and Safety communications via DSC equipment. The meaning of urgency and safety communications. Procedures for DSC urgency and safety calls. Urgency communications. Safety communications.
(c) Distress, urgency and safety communication procedures by radiotelephony in the old distress and safety system.
(i) Distress communications. Radiotelephone alarm signal- format and purpose. Distress signal- correct use and meaning of the signal MAYDAY. Distress call. Distress message. Acknowledgement of a distress message - obligation to acknowledge a distress message, correct form of acknowledgement, action to be taken following acknowledgement. The control of distress traffic - correct use and meanings of the signals: SEELONCE MAYDAY, SEELONCE DISTRESS, PRUDONCE, and SEELONCE FENEE.
Transmission of a distress message by a station not itself in distress - correct use and meaning of the signal MAYDAY RELAY.
(ii) Urgency communications. Urgency signal - correct use and meaning of the signal PAN-PAN. Urgency message. Obtaining urgent medical advice through a Coast Radio Station.
(iii) Safety communications. Safety signal - correct use and meaning of the signal SECURITE. Safety message. Special procedures for communications with appropriate national organisations on matters affecting safety.
(d) Protection of distress frequencies.
(i) Avoiding harmful interference.
(ii) Transmissions during distress traffic.
(iii) Prevention of unauthorised transmissions.
(iv) Test protocols and procedures. Testing DSC equipment.
(v) Radiotelephone test procedures.
(vi) Guard bands.
(vii) Procedures to follow when a false distress alert is transmitted.
(e) Maritime Safety Information (MSI) systems in the GMDSS.
(i) Safety information transmitted by VHF/MF/HF radiotelephony.
(ii) The NAVTEX system. Purpose of NAVTEX. NAVTEX frequencies. Antenna for the NAVTEX receiver. Reception range. Message format (transmitter ID, message type, message number). The NAVTEX receiver - selection of transmitters, selection of message type, messages which cannot be rejected, use of subsidiary controls, ensuring the integrity of message output.
(f) Alerting and Locating Signals in the GMDSS.
(i) Purpose and definition.
(ii) Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs). Registration and Coding. Information contents of a distress alert. Operation including automatic (float-free) and manual activation and avoidance of false alerts - COSPAS/SARSAT 406 MHz EPIRB, Inmarsat-E 1.6 GHz EPIRB, VHF-DSC EPIRB, 121.5 MHz homing function, mounting considerations. Routine maintenance. Battery expire date, checking the float-free mechanism.
(iii) Search and Rescue Radar Transponder (SART)The main technical characteristics. Operation - operating height, effect of radar reflector. Range of a SART transmitter. Routine maintenance of a SART - checking battery expire date.
5.2.4 Miscellaneous Skills and operational procedures for radiotelephone communications.
(a) Ability to exchange communications relevant to the safety of life at sea.
(i) Awareness of the existence and use of the IMO Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary and knowledge of the basic signals: ALL AFTER; ALL BEFORE; CORRECT; CORRECTION; IN FIGURES; IN LETTERS; I SAY AGAIN; I SPELL; OUT; OVER; RADIO CHECK; READ BACK; RECEIVED; SAY AGAIN; STATION CALLING; TEXT; TRAFFIC; THIS IS; WAIT; WORD AFTER; WORD BEFORE; WRONG.
(ii) Recognised standard abbreviations and commonly used service codes.
(iii) Use of international phonetic alphabet.
(b) Regulations, obligatory procedures and practices.
(i) Awareness of international documentation. Publications of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) - List of Ship Stations, Annex to the List of Coast Stations which contains particulars of coast stations participating in the GMDSS, The Alphabetical List of Call Signs, The Manual for Use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services, List of Coast stations with which communications are likely to be established (watch- keeping hours, frequencies and charges), List of Coast Stations providing navigational and meteorological warnings and other urgent information for ships.
(ii) Availability and knowledge of national documentation.
(iii) Knowledge of the regulations and agreements governing the maritime mobile service. Requirements for Ship Radio Licence. Regulations concerning control of the operation of radio equipment by the holder of an appropriate certificate of competence. Regulations concerning the radiotelephone log. Preservation of the secrecy of correspondence.
(c) Practical and theoretical knowledge of radiotelephone procedures.
(i) Practical traffic routines using radiotelephony. Preliminary operations. Correct use of call signs. Procedures for establishing radio communications - intership calling, public correspondence, small craft safety, Port operations and ship movement channels, calling a station providing a pilot service. Control of communications and the role of coast stations - selection of frequencies to be used for traffic, reply procedures, duration of calls, traffic lists transmitted by coast stations, traffic reports transmitted by ship stations. Procedures for unanswered calls and garbled calls. Difficulties in reception and inability to accept traffic. Types of call and types of message which are prohibited.
(ii) Practical traffic routines using DSC. Calling a coast station or ship station by DSC. Acknowledging receipt of a call using DSC. Subsequent handling of traffic.
(iii) Public correspondence procedures. Establishing a radiotelephone link call via a coast station - ordering a manually switched link call, ending the call, calls to ships from coast stations, special facilities calls. Traffic charges - the international charging and accounting system, Accounting Authority Identification Code (AAIC).
5.3 Examination Module for the Maritime Mobile Satellite Service
(for Vessels not subject to a compulsory fit under the SOLAS Convention).
(for Vessels not subject to a compulsory fit under the SOLAS Convention).
The examination consist of theoretical and practical tests and should include at least the following.
5.3.1 The general principles and basic features of the maritime mobile-satellite service relevant to non-SOLAS vessels. The general principles and basic features of the maritime mobile-satellite service relevant to non-SOLAS vessels.
(a) Maritime satellite communications via Inmarsat system.
(i) Inmarsat space segment.
(ii) Ocean areas and satellite acquisition.
(iii) Communication services.
Telephone services
Telex services
Facsimile and Data services
(b) Types of station in the maritime mobile satellite service
(i) Coast Earth Stations (CES), Land Earth Stations (LES).
(ii) Network Co-ordination Station (NCS)
(iii) Ship Earth Station (SES), Mobile Earth Stations (MES).
(iv) Inmarsat A, B, C and M systems.
5.3.2 Operational procedures and detailed practical operation of ship earth stations in the GMDSS appropriate to non-SOLAS vessels. Operational procedures and detailed practical operation of ship earth stations in the GMDSS appropriate to non-SOLAS vessels.
(a) Inmarsat - C Ship Earth Station.
(i) Components of an Inmarsat - C Terminal.
(ii) Entering/updating position.
(iii) Usage of an Inmarsat - C Ship Earth Station.
(iv) Sending and receiving text messages.
(v) Distress and Safety services.
Sending a distress alert.
Sending a distress priority message.
2 - digit code safety services.
(vi) Avoidance of initiating a false distress alert.
Procedures to follow when a false distress is transmitted.
(b) Inmarsat Enhanced Group Call (EGC) system.
(i) Purpose of the EGC system.
(ii) Programming an SES for EGC reception.
Updating position.
Selecting NAV/MET areas.