Industry Canada Administers radiocommunications in Canada, based on both National and International Acts, Regulations and Conventions. Marine operations in Canada are generally regulated by the Marine Safety Branch of Transport Canada. Marine Safety Branch, through the Marine Personnel Regulations (Canada Shipping Act (CSA) 2001)) requires that ships, which are required to be fitted with a Ship Radio Station in accordance with the Ship Station (Radio) Regulations (SSR), carry persons who hold the appropriate Operator Certification.
In accordance with the Ship Station (Radio) Regulations (SSR), Compulsorily-Fitted Ships with Very High-Frequency (VHF) radiotelephones must carry persons who hold a Restricted Operator's Certificate - Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC), and compulsorily-fitted ships with Medium Frequency (MF) or Medium Frequency/High Frequency (MF/HF) radiotelephones, or ship earth stations, must carry persons who hold either a General Operator Certificate (GOC) or a Radiocommunication Operator General Certificate Maritime (RGMC). There are two exceptions to these requirements:
- Radio Operators on “Small Fishing Vessels.” A Small Fishing Vessel is defined in Transport Canada’s Small Fishing Vessel Inspection Regulations, as a vessel that is not a sailing ship, exceeds 15 tons (gross tonnage), is used in commercial fishing, but does not exceed 150 tons, (gross tonnage) and does not exceed 24.4 metres in length. This exception permits such vessels, when fitted with MF or HF transmitting equipment, or both, to carry radio operators holding only a Restricted Operator’s Certificate - Maritime Commercial.
- Radio Operators on Vessels using the Athabasca-Mackenzie Inland Waterways. Even though HF radios may be carried by vessels on this waterway, the HF frequency used is outside of the marine bands. The only marine frequencies used in certain areas of this waterway are in the VHF band. Consequently, operators on these vessels are only required to hold a Restricted Operator's Certificate - Maritime Commercial.
Industry Canada Requires the Candidate must be a minimum age of 18 years, to hold a ROC-MC Certificate and the Certificate is valid for life.
The GMDSS ROC-MC Course is of 24 hours duration comprised of:
- Fifty percent Theory Lectures; and
- Fifty percent Practical Instruction.
The Western Maritime Institute GMDSS ROC-MC is an Industry Canada Approved Training Course to provide:
- Knowledge of the Basic Features of the Maritime Mobile Service;
- Concept of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Regulations;
- Practical Knowledge, Operational Characteristics and Ability to use the GMDSS Equipment of a Ship Station:
- VHF DSC Radiotelephone;
- Survival Craft Radio Equipment: Basic Operational Specifications, Characteristics and Routine Testing:
- NAVTEX Receiver.
- Distress, Safety and Routine Communication Procedures in the GMDSS.
Successful completion of the GMDSS ROC-MC Course requires:
- A pass mark of 70% on an Industry Canada approved written examination; and
- Demonstrate proficiency through practical operational procedures, using the following approved equipment:
- a GMDSS Communication Simulator, where appropriate; and
- Radiocommunication laboratory equipment.
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TRANSPORT CANADA REQUIRES THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE FOR THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY:
- Master Mariner Certificate Program;
- Master, Near Coastal Certificate Program;
- Master 3,000 Gross Tonnage, Near Coastal Certificate Program;
- Master 500 Gross Tonnage, Near Coastal Certificate Program;
- Master 3,000 Gross Tonnage, Domestic Certificate Program;
- Master 500 Gross Tonnage, Domestic Certificate Program;
- Master 150 Gross Tonnage, Domestic Certificate Program;
- Chief Mate Certificate Program;
- Chief Mate, Near Coastal Certificate Program;
- Watchkeeping Mate and Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal Certificate Program;
- Chief Mate 500 Gross Tonnage, Domestic Certificate Program;
- Chief Mate 150 Gross Tonnage, Domestic Certificate Program;
- Fishing Master, First Class Certificate Proram;
- Fishing Master, Second Class Certificate Program.
- Fishing Master, Third Class Certificate Program.
- Fishing Master, Fourth Class Certificate Program.
- Watchkeeping Mate on a Fishing Vessel not more than 150 Gross Tonnage Certificate Program.
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