In compliance with the ITU International Radio Regulations and the provision of the STCW Convention particularly the Resolutions of the 1995 Conference, Chapter IV/1 and IV/2 on the application and mandatory minimum requirements for certification of GMDSS radio personnel, the National Telecommunications Commission, pursuant to the powers vested upon it, hereby promulgates the following additional guidelines in the issuance of the General Operators Certificate.

1. In addition to those mentioned under Section II of Memorandum Circular No. 13-11-91, a qualified applicant for General Operator Certificate shall have knowledge, understanding and proficiency in the following aspects:

1.1    Search and rescue radiocommunications, including procedures in the IMO Merchant Ship Search and Rescue Manual (MERSAR).

1.2    The means to prevent the transmission of false distress alerts and the procedures to mitigate the effects of such alerts.

1.3    Ship reporting systems.

1.4    Radio medical services.

1.5    Use of International Code of Signals and the Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary as replaced by the Standard Marine Communication Phrases.

1.6    The English language, both written and spoken, for the communication of information relevant to the safety of life at sea.

1.7    If a licensed deck officer, he must have attended and completed a training on radiotelephony from any NTC accredited radio training school in addition to the requirements in Section I (d) of M.C. No. 13-11-91.

2. An applicant must also have competence to provide radio services in emergencies such as:

2.1    Abandon Ship

2.2    Fire and board ship

2.3    Partial or full breakdown of radio installation.

3. An applicant for GOC examination may be any of the following:

3.1    Deck Officers who are holders of a valid Master, Chief, Second or Third Mate license issued by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), or

3.2    Radio Officers who are holders of a valid First Class Radiotelegraph Operator ™s Certificate issued by the NTC.

4. Examination Elements - A GOC examination shall comprise of the following elements:

4.1    Element 1 (Ship radiotelephony) - Basic theory to understanding voice VHF telephony.

4.2    Element 2 (GMDSS) - Theory and practice on the operation and control of GMDSS sub-systems and equipment.

4.3    Element 3 (Inmarsat) - Theory and practice on the operation of all Inmarsat terminal, component and sub-systems.

4.4    Practical Examination on plotting the azimuth, elevation and operational/regional satellite as well as the knowledge to transmit the alphabet by morse code, through keyer or voice.

5. Examination Requirements - An applicant for General Operator Certificate is required to pass the elements as follows:

5.1    For Deck Officers (Elements 1, 2, 3 Practical Examination and Code)

5.2    For Radio Officers and Deck Officers who are holders of Restricted Radio Operator ™s Certificate (Elements 2, 3 and Practical Examination)

6. Passing Grade - A passing average of 70% is required on all elements of written examinations, provided, that no rating shall be below 50% in any element. A grade of 100% is required for the Practical Examination and Code.

An applicant who passes in an examination but fails to secure a GOC certificate within one (1) year from date he is advised of the result of his or her examination, will not be issued a certificate without taking anew the examination.

7. Fees 

7.1 Examination Fee P 50.00 7.2 GOC Certificate Fee per year P 150.00 7.3 Duplicate Fee P 100.00

All applicants shall adhere strictly to the herein prescribed guidelines and any misrepresentation made by an applicant shall be a ground for the revocation or suspension of the certificate issued and/or the imposition of the appropriate penalties in accordance with law.

All existing memoranda, guidelines, circulars, rules and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this circular are repealed or amended accordingly.

This circular may be revised, revoked or amended as necessary in accordance with law and shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation, provided further, that at least three (3) certified true copies thereof shall be filed with the U.P. Law Center.

Adopted: 20 July 1998

(SGD.) PONCIANO V. CRUZ, JR.
Commissioner

(SGD.) ROBERTO L. DUQUE
Deputy Commissioner