Radio Communications for Maritime Operations
A total of five radio courses can be sub-divided under this title which include training in both the Aeronautical and Maritime categories. The correct Communication procedures via radio is vital and ensures that all relevant operations are conducted in a safe manner.
In this Blog we unpack the various radio licenses for all Offshore operations, and how each of them plays an important part in the safety management of a vessel at sea. This includes Helicopter movements for the transit of passengers and cargo at sea, as well as Land Based operations that facilitate all the logistics for Offshore operators.
Let`s take a look now at the make-up of each of these radio disciplines, in order to identify their exact purpose in Maritime Operations.
Offshore Aeronautical Radio Operators Certificate
(In accordance with UK CAP452 & 413)
Extract from UK CAP 452An Offshore Communication Service (OCS), also known as an Offshore Aeronautical Service, involves the transmission of messages to helicopters operating in the vicinity of offshore oil rigs, platforms and vessels through the use of Aeronautical radio stations and Non-Directional Beacons (NDBs), located on these instillations.
Target Audience: Those personnel appointed, or to be appointed to, the role of an Offshore Radio Operator, Helicopter Landing Officer, Helicopter Deck Assistants and Standby Vessel Bridge Watchkeeping.
Delegate Pre-requisites: An applicant for this course can be any personnel that are currently employed Offshore who may interested in changing their duties and responsibilities, and therefore need to include this certification onto their profile. It is also suited for those personnel interested in obtaining work offshore in any of the disciplines as mentioned under `Target Audience. `
Benefits: The Operator will have an in-depth knowledge of Aeronautical Communications for Offshore Operations.
Outcome: The successful applicant will be permitted to legally operate, communicate on and monitor all radio telephony communications on an Aeronautical VHF Frequency, which are associated with Offshore Operations.
Offshore Radio Operator during Emergencies
(In accordance with OPITO Standard Code: 7060)
Extract from OPITO Standard Code: 7060Appointment of Radio Operators During Emergencies - The Installation, MODU or vessel Duty Holder is responsible for ensuring that personnel appointed to the Offshore Radio Operator during Emergencies role have received sufficient training and gained relevant experience to undertake the role competently and safely. The Duty Holder must ensure that, apart from the provision of onshore training, workplace training is provided, and competence assessment is conducted. The Offshore Radio Operator During Emergencies Initial Training.
Target Audience: Those personnel appointed, or to be appointed to, the role of an Offshore Radio Operator during Emergencies.
Delegate Pre-requisites: An applicant for this course must hold a valid Offshore Aeronautical Certification covering the operation of both the aeronautical and marine radio communications equipment.
Benefits: The Operator will have been trained to manage various emergency situations through the utilisation of a radio transceiver, as part of their resources available for this purpose.
Outcome: The successful applicant will have a thorough concept of how to manage themselves both on, as well as when off frequency when reacting to an emergency that may arise while monitoring any radio frequency or channel.
Marine Short-Range Certification
(In accordance with International Maritime Organisation and as per Safety of Life at Sea [SOLAS] Convention)
Extract from SOLASDigital Selective Calling also allows mariners to initiate or receive distress, urgency and routine radiotelephone calls to or from any similar equipped vessel or shore station, without requiring either party to be near a radio loudspeaker. DSC acts like the dial and bell of a telephone, allowing you to `direct dial` and `ring` other radios, or allow others to `ring` you without having to listen to a speaker.
This is an interactive one-day VHF Marine course for the short-Range Certificate (SRC) that allows the legal use of Marine VHF/DSC radios. The course teaches all you need to know to operate a marine band VHF radio fitted with a Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) DSC controller.
In addition to teaching the use of VHF radio for normal voice communications, this course includes the emergency operating procedures for the use of VHF radio DSC controllers, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) and Search and Rescue Transponders (SART). Extensive use is made of our training equipment enabling you to practice in realistic scenarios.
Target Audience: Any Operator that is required to make Marine VHF Transmissions Offshore within Sea Areas A1 to A4
Note: In certain instances, particularly in the Leisure category, where the Operator plans to stay within 1nm from the coastline at all times, they need only complete a Marine radio course that does not include DSC. In other words, a Marine radio course would need to be completed which excludes DSC for rom the training syllabus.
Delegate Pre-requisites: The applicant needs to be fulfilling the discipline of any personnel who are employed, or are wanting to be employed Offshore, in the capacity of Marine Crew.
Benefits: The Operator will be legally permitted to communicate on a Marine VHF Transceiver which has the additional capabilities through the DSC functionality.
Outcome: The successful applicant will have a better understanding of the integration between voice activation and push button technology.
Marine Long-Range Certification
(In accordance with International Maritime Organisation and as per SOLAS Convention)
Extract from SOLASThe GMDSS provides for automatic distress alerting and locating in cases where a radio operator does not have time to send an SOS or MAYDAY call, and, for the first time, requires ships to receive broadcasts of maritime safety information which could prevent a disaster from happening in the first place.
Target Audience: This course is for applicants who wish to hold, (or are required to hold) a Long-Range Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency as issued by the Office of Maritime Communications, in order to operate Marine VHF / HF and MF Radios.
Delegate Pre-requisites: The applicant needs to be fulfilling the discipline of any personnel who are employed, or are wanting to be employed Offshore, in the capacity of Marine Crew.
Benefits: The Operator will be legally permitted to communicate, and operate on all Marine VHF (for short range), plus HF and MF frequencies to facilitate long range communication.
Outcome: The successful applicant will have a better understanding of the integration between voice activation and push button technology.
Onshore Aeronautical Radio Operators Certificate for Base Operations Personnel
(In accordance with UK CAP452 & 413)
Extract from UK CAP 452An aeronautical station which is licensed and established for company operational control communications, may be used as a base station for communication with company aircraft, or aircraft for which the company is the operating agency.
Target Audience: For any staff member who fulfils the working role associated with the head office from where helicopter operations are managed entirely on behalf of the company itself.
Delegate Pre-requisites: This is suited for an individual employed by the Company that serves as a base station for communication with company aircraft on an Aeronautical VHF frequency.
Benefits: The Operator will be exposed to an extension of their office working environment, and how their interactions via radio communications with the helicopter as part of their ground operation duties, can facilitate a streamlined operation.
Outcome: The successful applicant will have a more in-depth concept of how Offshore Operations are managed with Helicopter facilitation, and how their Operations room can support the safety management of the entire such operation.
If you or your company are interested in finding out more about any of these related radio courses mentioned in this Blog please email dylan@talkingradio.net.
Until next time, stay safe.