Course Format

The course is taught in three evenings. the first evening consists of a lecture covering Module 1, sections one to five below. The second evening consists of a lecture on Module 2, covering the Global Marine Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), followed by an oral drill covering the material in Module 1 section 6. The official exam is given on the third evening. The exam consists of a 60 question multiple choice exam. A separate 20 question exam covering Module 2 only is available for those who already have an ROC(M).

Upon successful completion of the exam, the student will be issued a Temporary Operating Certificate. CPS will later mail a permanent certificate to the student. (Industry Canada has delegated the authority to certify marine radio operators on voluntarily fitted vessels to CPS.)

Students who already have a Marine Radio Operator's Certificate but wish to get the DSC endorsement can attend the second and third evenings, and will write a 20 question exam.

To purchase the course manual for self-study, or to arrange for an individual exam, please contact Peter Bennett at 604-817-4165.

Course manuals can also be ordered from the CPS National office at 1-888-CPS-Boat (1-888-277-2628)

Course Outline

1. Maritime Mobile Service
   • Radiotelephone Operator's Restricted Certificate (Maritime)
   • Radio Station Licence
   • Authorities: Industry Canada, ITU, Coast Guard
   • Radio Station Requirements: records and monitoring
   • Required and Recommended Documents
   • Secrecy of Communications
   • International Distress, Safety and Calling Frequencies
   • Propogation and the Transmitter Power Switch
2. Procedures
   • Use (and misuse) of Marine Radio
   • Radio Operation, Word Spelling (Phonetic Alphabet), etc.
   • Procedural Words and Phrases
   • Calling Procedure
   • Simplex and Duplex Operation
   • Choice of Frequencies
   • Control of Communication
   • Priorities
3. Distress Communications
   • Priority
   • Frequencies to be used
   • Distress Signal
   • Distress Call
   • Distress Message - examples
   • Acknowledging and Relaying a Distress Message
   • Control of Distress Traffic
   • Imposition of Silence
   • Cancellation of Distress
4. Urgency Communications
   • Priority
   • Frequencies to be Used
   • Urgency Signal
   • Urgency Message
   • Cancellation of Urgency
5. Safety Communications
   • Priority
   • Safety Signal
   • Procedures
6. Distress Simulations
   • Distress Call and Message
     • Acknowledgement of Mayday by CG Radio
     • Distress Relay
     • Acknowledgement/Assist by other station
     • Distress Traffic
     • Impose Silence by Controlling Station
     • Impose Silence by Another Station
     • Distress Traffic on Scene
     • Cancellation of Distress by Controlling Station
   • Homework Study
     • Distress Call and Message from a Ship
     • Acknowledgement by Another Ship
     • Distress Traffic
     • Imposition of Silence
     • Cancellation of Distress
     • Distress Call and Message
     • Relay by Another Vessel
7. Additional Information
   • Alarm Signals
     • Radiotelephone Alarm Signal
     • Navigational Warning Signal
     • Empergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
     • Emergency Position Indicating Buoy (EPIB)
   • General Electrical and Electronic Information
   • Alternative Radio Services

1. Traditional System
   • Regulations
   • Procedures
   • Shortcomings
2. Global Marine Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
   • System Overview
   • GMDSS Basic Concept
3. GMDSS Regulations and Application
   • Equipment Requirements
   • Sea Areas
   • Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) Number
4. Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Radios
   • GMDSS Primary Component
   • Classes of DSC Radios
   • DSC Functions
   • DSC Procedures
5. Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs)
   • EPIRBs
   • COSPAS-SARSAT Satellite System
6. Other GMDSS Equipment
   • MF DSC Radios
   • Portable VHF Radios
   • NAVTEX Receivers
   • Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTs)
7. DSC Practical Exercises