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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: GMDSS GOC Exam

MCA (since 12 May 2025)

Sole UK GMDSS examination and certification authority, taking over from AMERC (MIN 716 (M+F) Amendment 1)

UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency

3 components

Written paper(s), practical equipment exam and simulated distress voice exercise

MCA-approved GOC course specifications

Sea Areas A1-A4

GOC certifies operation of GMDSS equipment in all sea areas worldwide

SOLAS Chapter IV / STCW A-IV/2

CEPT harmonised

Examined to ERC/DEC/(99)01 based on the CEPT harmonised syllabus (ERC/REC 31-06)

CEPT/ERC

100

Free practice MCQs in this study bank

OpenExamPrep

The GMDSS General Operator's Certificate (GOC) is the MCA-administered top-level GMDSS radio qualification for SOLAS vessels in all sea areas A1-A4, assessed through written papers, a practical equipment exam and a simulated distress voice exercise after an approved 8-10 day course. Syllabus covers DSC, distress procedures, satellite systems, NAVTEX, EPIRBs/SARTs, SAR and radio regulations. Local 100 MCQs are an English study adaptation, not an official-format simulation.

Sample GMDSS GOC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your GMDSS GOC exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What does the acronym GMDSS stand for?

A.Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

B.General Marine Data and Signalling Service

C.Global Maritime Defence and Security System

D.Governmental Maritime Distress Satellite Service

Explanation: GMDSS is the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, the internationally agreed network of terrestrial and satellite communication systems designed to automate and improve distress alerting and maritime safety communications.

2Which GMDSS sea area is defined as the area within radiotelephony coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available?

A.Sea Area A2

B.Sea Area A3

C.Sea Area A1

D.Sea Area A4

Explanation: Sea Area A1 is the VHF coverage zone with continuous DSC alerting, typically extending about 20-30 nautical miles from the coast. VHF DSC on Channel 70 provides the continuous alerting capability that defines this area.

3Which chapter of the SOLAS Convention contains the GMDSS radio carriage requirements for ships?

A.Chapter II-1

B.Chapter IV

C.Chapter VI

D.Chapter XI-2

Explanation: SOLAS Chapter IV (Radiocommunications) sets out the GMDSS carriage requirements, functional requirements, watchkeeping obligations and power-source rules for SOLAS ships.

4Approximately how far offshore does a typical Sea Area A1 extend?

A.About 5 nautical miles

B.About 20-30 nautical miles

C.About 200 nautical miles

D.About 400 nautical miles

Explanation: VHF coverage is essentially line-of-sight, so Sea Area A1 typically extends about 20-30 nautical miles from the coast station, depending on antenna heights at the ship and the coast station.

5How is Sea Area A4 defined?

A.Any area more than 200 nautical miles offshore

B.The area outside Sea Areas A1, A2 and A3, essentially the polar regions

C.The area within HF coast station coverage only

D.Any ocean area not covered by NAVTEX

Explanation: Sea Area A4 comprises the areas remaining outside A1, A2 and A3. Because geostationary satellite coverage fades above roughly 70 degrees latitude, A4 is essentially the polar regions, where HF radio provides the primary GMDSS capability.

6Under the GMDSS functional requirements, every ship must be able to transmit ship-to-shore distress alerts by:

A.One primary means, provided it is tested daily

B.At least two separate and independent means

C.Satellite communication only

D.Any single means approved by the classification society

Explanation: A core GMDSS principle is redundancy: every ship must be able to transmit ship-to-shore distress alerts by at least two separate and independent means, using different equipment and communication paths.

7Sea Area A2 is best described as:

A.An area within MF coast station radiotelephony coverage with continuous DSC alerting, excluding Sea Area A1

B.An area within VHF coverage up to 30 nautical miles from shore

C.The whole area covered by geostationary satellites

D.Any area where only HF communication is possible

Explanation: Sea Area A2 is MF coast station coverage with continuous DSC alerting available, excluding A1. In practice it extends roughly 100-150 nautical miles offshore, depending on the coast station's MF propagation.

8Which three methods may a SOLAS ship use to ensure the availability of its GMDSS radio equipment?

A.Duplication of equipment, shore-based maintenance, and at-sea electronic maintenance

B.Weekly testing, annual surveys, and crew training

C.Satellite backup, radar transponders, and portable radios

D.Shore power, emergency batteries, and hand generators

Explanation: SOLAS permits three equipment availability methods: duplication of equipment, shore-based maintenance, and at-sea electronic maintenance. Ships operating in A3 and A4 must generally use a combination of at least two approved methods.

9On what date was the GMDSS fully implemented for SOLAS ships, ending the era of the dedicated Morse radio officer?

A.1 January 1992

B.1 February 1999

C.1 July 2002

D.1 January 2010

Explanation: The GMDSS was phased in from 1992 and became fully mandatory on 1 February 1999, when the SOLAS amendments took full effect and Morse telegraphy distress watchkeeping was finally phased out.

10Following the GMDSS modernization amendments to SOLAS that entered into force on 1 January 2024, how is Sea Area A3 determined for an individual ship?

A.It is a fixed global zone printed on charts between 70 degrees N and 70 degrees S

B.It is determined by the coverage of the recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station installed on that ship

C.It is determined by the range of the ship's HF DSC equipment

D.It applies identically to every ship regardless of fitted equipment

Explanation: The 2024 SOLAS amendments redefined A3 and A4 ship-by-ship: A3 is the area, excluding A1 and A2, within the coverage of the recognized mobile satellite service ship earth station carried on board. A ship with Iridium (global coverage) may therefore have no A4, while an Inmarsat-C fitted ship keeps the classic pattern.

About the GMDSS GOC Exam

The GMDSS General Operator's Certificate (GOC) is the highest-level GMDSS radio operator qualification, required for masters and deck officers performing radiocommunication duties on SOLAS vessels operating in any GMDSS sea area (A1-A4). It certifies competence across all GMDSS subsystems: VHF/MF/HF radiotelephony, DSC, NAVTEX, Inmarsat-C and other recognized mobile satellite services, EPIRBs, SARTs and SAR procedures, examined to the CEPT-harmonised syllabus and STCW A-IV/2. Since 12 May 2025 the MCA administers all UK GMDSS examinations and certificates (previously AMERC). Local 100 MCQs are an English study adaptation of the theory syllabus; they do not reproduce or replace the official written, practical or voice assessments.

Assessment

Written paper(s) on radio procedures and regulations; practical examination on live or simulated GMDSS equipment; simulated distress voice communications exercise. All components must be passed. Syllabus harmonised to CEPT ERC/DEC/(99)01 and STCW A-IV/2, covering GMDSS fundamentals and sea areas (12%), VHF/MF/HF communications (12%), DSC (14%), distress/urgency/safety procedures (16%), satellite systems (12%), NAVTEX & MSI (10%), EPIRB/SART locating (10%), SAR (6%), regulations & watchkeeping (5%), and power/antennas (3%).

Time Limit

Examination typically held on the final day(s) of an approved course of about 8-10 days.

Passing Score

Competency-based: every written and practical component must be passed; no single percentage pass mark is published.

Exam Fee

Fees are set by MCA-approved training centres (course including exam typically around £1,450–£1,550). No MCA fee is charged for GMDSS certificate endorsement or revalidation. (Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) — sole UK GMDSS authority since 12 May 2025 (MIN 716 (M+F) Amendment 1); previously delivered by AMERC on the MCA's behalf.)

GMDSS GOC Exam Content Outline

16%

Distress, Urgency & Safety Communications

MAYDAY, PAN PAN and SECURITE procedures, distress message format, acknowledgement and relay, false-alert cancellation, radio silence and the SOLAS duty to assist.

14%

DSC Procedures & Equipment

Digital Selective Calling on VHF Channel 70, MF 2187.5 kHz and HF bands, MMSI formats and MIDs, distress alert content, watchkeeping, testing and acknowledgement rules.

12%

GMDSS Fundamentals & Sea Areas

GMDSS functional requirements, Sea Areas A1-A4 definitions including the 2024 SOLAS modernization, equipment carriage and availability methods.

12%

VHF/MF/HF Terrestrial Communications

VHF channels and emissions, simplex/duplex working, MF/HF propagation, SSB radiotelephony and distress frequencies.

12%

Satellite Communications

Inmarsat ocean regions, Inmarsat-C operation, EGC SafetyNET/FleetNET, distress priority alerting and Iridium's global GMDSS coverage.

10%

NAVTEX & Maritime Safety Information

NAVTEX 518/490 kHz services, B-code message structure, non-rejectable categories and the WWNWS warning tiers.

10%

EPIRBs, SARTs & Locating

406 MHz Cospas-Sarsat EPIRBs, hydrostatic releases, 121.5 MHz homing, registration, radar SART and AIS-SART locating.

Search & Rescue Procedures

RCC/SMC/OSC roles, IAMSAR manual, Cospas-Sarsat alert chain and on-scene SAR communications.

Regulations, Watchkeeping & Licensing

SOLAS Chapter IV watchkeeping, radio logbook, Ofcom Ship Radio Licence vs operator certificate, and the 2025 MCA takeover.

Power Sources, Antennas & Installation

Reserve source of energy capacity requirements, battery maintenance and antenna tuning units.

How to Pass the GMDSS GOC Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Competency-based: every written and practical component must be passed; no single percentage pass mark is published.
Assessment: Written paper(s) on radio procedures and regulations; practical examination on live or simulated GMDSS equipment; simulated distress voice communications exercise. All components must be passed. Syllabus harmonised to CEPT ERC/DEC/(99)01 and STCW A-IV/2, covering GMDSS fundamentals and sea areas (12%), VHF/MF/HF communications (12%), DSC (14%), distress/urgency/safety procedures (16%), satellite systems (12%), NAVTEX & MSI (10%), EPIRB/SART locating (10%), SAR (6%), regulations & watchkeeping (5%), and power/antennas (3%).
Time limit: Examination typically held on the final day(s) of an approved course of about 8-10 days.
Exam fee: Fees are set by MCA-approved training centres (course including exam typically around £1,450–£1,550). No MCA fee is charged for GMDSS certificate endorsement or revalidation.

Keys to Passing

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GMDSS GOC Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorise the core distress frequencies: VHF Ch 16 (156.800 MHz) and Ch 70 DSC (156.525 MHz); MF 2182 kHz voice and 2187.5 kHz DSC; HF DSC on 4207.5, 6312, 8414.5, 12577 and 16804.5 kHz.

2Practise the full MAYDAY message format until it is automatic: MAYDAY x3, identity x3, position, nature of distress, assistance required, persons on board, other information, OVER.

3Know the MMSI formats cold: ship MIDXXXXXX, group 0MIDXXXXX, coast station 00MIDXXXX, SAR aircraft 111MIDXXX; UK MIDs are 232-235.

4Understand why, not just what: ionospheric day/night behaviour, why SSB saves power, why ships must not acknowledge VHF DSC distress alerts by DSC.

5Review false-alert cancellation procedures for every system - VHF voice cancellation, MF/HF, Inmarsat-C and EPIRB - and the obligation to notify the RCC immediately.

6Study the 2024 SOLAS GMDSS modernization: sea areas A3/A4 are now defined by the recognized mobile satellite service earth station actually fitted on the ship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs the GMDSS General Operator's Certificate (GOC)?

Masters, deck officers and other personnel who perform radiocommunication duties on GMDSS-equipped SOLAS vessels operating beyond Sea Area A1. Operators limited to Sea Area A1 may hold the Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC) instead.

Who administers the UK GOC exam in 2026?

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has administered all UK GMDSS examinations, certification and endorsements since 12 May 2025 (MIN 716 (M+F) Amendment 1), taking over from AMERC. Courses and exams are delivered at MCA-approved training centres.

What does the GOC exam consist of?

Written paper(s) on radio procedures and regulations, a practical examination on live or simulated GMDSS equipment, and a simulated distress voice communications exercise. All components must be passed; the exam is normally taken at the end of an approved 8-10 day course.

How much does the GOC cost in the UK?

Course fees including the exam are set by MCA-approved centres and typically run around £1,450-£1,550. There is no MCA fee for GMDSS certificate endorsement or revalidation (form MSF 4354).

Do these practice questions replace the official GOC assessment?

No. The official GOC includes practical equipment handling and a simulated distress voice exercise that MCQs cannot replicate. These 100 English-language questions are a study adaptation covering the theory syllabus only.

Is the GOC internationally recognized?

Yes. The GOC is examined to the CEPT-harmonised syllabus under ERC/DEC/(99)01 and meets STCW A-IV/2, so certificates are recognized by CEPT countries that have adopted the decision, and STCW endorsement is available through the MCA.