How to get a GMDSS Endorsement Certificate?

The GMDSS endorsement certificate is a certificate that allows every GMDSS certificate holder to work on foreign-flagged ships. The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System came into being on February 1st, 1999, when years after several marine accidents which were often worsened by inability of vessels to make adequate distress calls, IMO finally came up with the new system.

Ever since then, a seafarer wishing to work on a vessel to handle radio communications must possess the GMDSS certificate. This certificate marks the competency of a seafarer in handling radio communications and operating laws, which is an essential skill in ship navigation.

bridge team

Why is GMDSS endorsement certificate necessary?

A GMDSS endorsement certificate, at present, is not a mere qualification. It is one of the most important certifications for a seafarer. Obtaining this endorsement certificate is very important as GMDSS certificate ensures proper training in handling radio communications which further helps a vessel in several ways.

  • Specialized equipment including the Digital Selective Calling, the NAVTEX, Search and Rescue Transponders are used for GMDSS. Holding an endorsement certificate for GMDSS will ensure you receive adequate training for handling these equipment.
  • Holding a GMDSS endorsement certificate makes a seafarer qualified to handle emergency situations
  • Since GMDSS is a system slightly different than traditional radio communications and includes both conventional and automated systems of communications, holding a GMDSS endorsement certificate is important for maximum utilization of these resources.
  • A GMDSS endorsement certificate is especially necessary if you wish to work on foreign flagged ships.

How to get a GMDSS endorsement certificate?

While getting a GMDSS certificate is pretty important, the procedure for GMDSS is very simple. In order to get your GMDSS certificate endorsed, you would need to do the following:

  • Obtain an application for endorsement of certificate.
  • Fill in the form and attach the desired documents. In most cases, you would be required to attach documents including but not limited to:

–          Original GMDSS Certificate of Competence

–          Valid Medical Fitness Certificate (ENG 1 or equivalent)

–          Valid Certificate of Competence of your country

Or

–          Fire prevention and fire fighting certificate

–          Personal Survival Techniques Certificate

–          Elementary First Aid

–          Personal safety and Social Responsibility

The above mentioned certificates would be sufficient in some places like UK. However, depending on your nationality, the certificates may also include:

–          CDC (all pages with entries)

–          PSSR

–          PSC and RB

–          MFA/Medicare

–          Indos Number

–          Proof of Sea service

–          Photos

  • Except for the GMDSS certificate, all other documents can be sent as attested photocopies.
  • You may or may not need to pay some basic application fee, as per the guidelines of your country. For example, as per the guidelines of IMO, in India, every seafarer seeking this certificate would need to pay a fee of Rs 1000 while in UK, a seafarer may not be needed to pay any sum besides postal charges of ÂŁ20 to obtain endorsed certificate via courier. Sometimes, you may be required to bring original documents of the attested copies in case you are collecting the endorsement personally.

The procedure for GMDSS is a short one. You can obtain your endorsed certificate and original documents via post or personally.

GMDSS

What is revalidation of GMDSS endorsement certificate and how to get it done?

Once you obtain your GMDSS endorsement certificate, it would need to be revalidated every five years. As the name suggests, GMDSS endorsement certificate revalidation is the re evaluation and renewal of GMDSS certificate after a stipulated period. This is necessary to maintain the authenticity of the certificate.  A GMDSS endorsement certificate holder can seek renewal of GMDSS certificate under following conditions (as mentioned by Australian Maritime safety Authority)-

  • Upon performance of radio service in a seafaring vessel, fully fitted with GMDSS equipment  for a period of at least 12 months in total within preceding five years or at least 3 months in total within the preceding 6 months
  • Upon successful completion of approved training or GMDSS revalidation course at an approved provider within 12 months to application for revalidation
  • Upon performing functions which are considered by the manager of the ship to be at least equivalent to the seagoing services. These functions may include GMDSS lectures in approved RTOs conducting GMDSS courses, radio technicians working with companies regularly involved with installations and handling of GMDSS equipment and radio operators in fully GMDSS equipped installations other than seagoing vessels.
  • Completion of revalidation course i.e. 5 years

The procedure of GMDSS endorsement certificate revalidation is simple and similar to the procedure you follow while obtaining the certificate. For revalidation

  • Obtain a revalidation form from official website
  • Attach the required documents which include but may not be limited to

–          Original GMDSS certificate

–          Attested copies of Medical Fitness Certificate

–          Entries from Discharge Book showing evidence of one year of service in preceding five years

–          Written statement from employer organization indicating the person’s competence in jobs, especially if seeking revalidation on basis of equivalent jobs

  • The revalidation procedure is completed within 14 days

References:

amerc, businesslink, dgshipping, gmdss, mmd, dft, amsa

Image Credits:

fatima, nmsa

 

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About Author

Raunek Kantharia is a marine engineer turned maritime writer and entrepreneur. After a brief stint at the sea, he founded Marine Insight in 2010. Apart from managing Marine Insight, he also writes for a number of maritime magazines and websites.

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13 Comments

  1. ‎ Sir, my GMDSS certificate will expire in 2 months and I was not able to endorse it still, because I was not able to work onboard a big vessel in last 7 years. Is it possible to endorse it now? if possible, how many years service should I have and is the service onboard big yachts is accepted. Please do give me details.

  2. hello sir,

    i have done gmdss course from india. but i sailed as a deck cadet on radio officer cdc..

    i am not sure whether i will get gmdss endorsement from mmd india.
    right now am giving exams from singapore. shall i do gmdss course from singapore again.

    can i sail on FG SHIPS as officer without taking endorsement on gmdss.

    regards

  3. Hi,
    I live in UK and my indian GOC got lost. Can you please advice me how to apply for a replacement.
    Thank you

  4. hi..
    sir/mam/ friends
    i did my uk gmdss .now iam doing as a radio operater in shore ( control room))) .can u pls advice me how can i get a job in abroad…

  5. Hello Sir,
    I am 45 years old work on Oil Rig since last 22 years as a radio Officer mostly MI/PANAMA registered Rigs in indian offshore Mumbai High / QATAR offshore
    my Radio officer licence Indian COP Special class expired in 2003
    But I have valid indian GMDSS Licence. I dont have indian CDC but am holding Marshall Island CDC.
    1). Can i get STCW GMDSS Endoresment with out indian CDC ?

    Recently in 8-OCT-14 I have received my Endos no from seacom Marine College & they told me to register with DG shipping.
    I fed all information on line on DG Shiiping site , Now what is the next step I will have to do. Should I register my self with MMD Mumbai also? I am not from shipping field “PLEASE GUIDE ”

    Best Regards
    Rajesh

  6. Hello Sir,
    I am 45 years old work on Oil Rig since last 22 years as a radio Officer mostly MI/PANAMA registered Rigs in indian offshore Mumbai High / QATAR offshore
    my Radio officer licence Indian COP Special class expired in 2003
    But I have valid indian GMDSS Licence. I dont have indian CDC but am holding Marshall Island CDC.
    1). Can i get STCW GMDSS Endoresment with out indian CDC ?

    Recently in 8-OCT-14 I have received my Endos no from seacom Marine College & they told me to register with DG shipping.
    I fed all information on line on DG Shiiping site , Now what is the next step I will have to do. Should I register my self with MMD Mumbai also? I am not from shipping field “PLEASE GUIDE ”

    Best Regards
    Rajesh

  7. Problem i am facing is ….have a master-unlimited from australia ,gmdss from india…agaist my indian gmdss ,AMSA has issued a cert of recoganisation. in order to work in qatar need coe…which qatar maitime affairs in not issuing as they want a endrosment from india as my gmdss is from india. Now indian MMD does not issue a endrosment as …endrosment is already issued by AMSA and have master from australia . so i dont know how to convince qatar maritime authority .

  8. Hi sir/ madam
    I have sent my GOC to Uk for endorsement..As i hv done uk Gmdss….But it stilll more than 3 weeks but i have not received my GOC….As i hv sent according to the procedure ….Advice my What should i do ? Im delayed to join vessel bcz of GOC

  9. dear sir
    I have Singapore coc but gmdss certificate is Indian pls advise me how to get gmdss endorsement in india because I try one in kolkata mmd they refused to me

  10. SIR i have applied for GMDSS endorsement renewal . after successfully fill up all option i proceed for fee payment option. i paid my fee and same amount was deducted from my account which is in favor of DG shipping but its not updated on DG site. still showing fee payment option. please advice me for correct procedure. it will be update automatically or i have to pay again.
    thanks

  11. good day sir,
    Im deck cadet i have done gmdss for some reaons i want to go as radio operator but for the endorcement online they are asking for EXN45 form which is i dont have please guide me how i can get done for endorcement.

    thank you

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