8 January 2025

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) will assume direct responsibility for approving training programs for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and Radio Certification. Currently, this responsibility lies with the Association of Marine Electronic and Radio Colleges (AMERC). The transfer of responsibilities will occur on 12 May 2025.

The approval and monitoring of GMDSS courses has been delegated to an associated body on behalf of the MCA. AMERC will continue to provide this service until 12 May 2025. As part of AMERC’s role, they carry out the approval of courses and the administration of examinations for the GMDSS certificates issued by the MCA.

The MCA will be taking on the responsibility of approving GMDSS courses. This will be in line with its current short course approval process set out in Annex F of MSN 1865 (Amendment 1). Exams will continue to be completed by the training centre.

The process for the issuance of GMDSS certificates and the endorsement will also be changing. For candidates, to obtain a GMDSS Certificate and/or Endorsement, you will be required to apply directly to the MCA and submit all necessary evidence to GMDSS@mcga.gov.uk. Application form MSF 4354 will be updated to reflect the new process. The application form will need to be completed and submitted to the MCA following the successful completion of an MCA-Approved GMDSS course and examination.

To facilitate the transition, AMERC will continue to approve courses, provide examiners, and issue GMDSS booklets until 12 May 2025. After this date, these responsibilities will be transferred to the MCA.

For training centres delivering GMDSS and Radio Operator Courses, there will be no major changes to the structure of the existing courses. Centres will still be able to conduct GMDSS and Radio Operator Courses as prescribed in MSN 1864 (M) as amended. It should be noted that the syllabus is currently under review with the goal of modernising it to reflect onboard practices.

Centres currently approved by AMERC will remain approved up until the date that their current approval expires, at which point they will need to apply to stc.courses@mcga.gov.uk for re-approval.

New training centres that wish to obtain MCA approval to run these courses, please follow the approval process outlined in MSN 1865 Amendment 1, Annex F. Training centres should contact stc.courses@mcga.gov.uk for any submission/approval queries.

A link to the full document can be found HERE.

British Marine members can obtain guidance by emailing technical@britishmarine.co.uk