Entry & progression
Governing: RD 1185/2006 (maritime radio); RD 804/2014 art. 8; Orden FOM/2296/2002; RD 875/2014 art. 18. Builds on: L1.2, L2.2.
Professional radio: GOC and ROC
| Certificate | Sea areas | Minimum course | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operador General SMSSM (GOC) | A1, A2, A3, A4 | ≥120 h (50 theory + 70 practical), or an 80 h conversion from ROC | Age 18 |
| Operador Restringido SMSSM (ROC) | A1 only | ≥40 h (15 theory + 25 practical) |
Both are revalidated every 5 years, by sea service (one year in the last five, or three months in the last year) or a refresher course (16 h for GOC). Only GOC or ROC holders may keep watch on a GMDSS station (RD 1185/2006 art. 28).
On a Spanish buque de recreo RD 804/2014 art. 8 requires:
- a continuous watch on the DSC or satellite distress frequencies of the equipment carried;
- a permanent VHF Ch 16 watch at sea;
- NAVTEX (and Inmarsat group call where fitted) switched on and tuned;
- the watch and operation carried out only by a crew member with a GOC (A2, A3 or A4) or ROC (A1 only).
A GOC or ROC is also a prerequisite for the PPER (RD 269 art. 93.3.d).
Recreational radio
RD 875/2014 art. 18 and Anexo IV set radio courses for recreational titles:
- PNB: radio course of at least 4 h.
- Short-range operator (SRC level): at least 12 h, 8 h on a simulator. Mandatory for PER, PY and CY.
- Long-range operator (LRC level): at least 16 h. Optional.
Simulators must be certified, with no more than 2 students per station. GOC and ROC holders are exempt from the recreational courses. On recreational craft the title holder is responsible for the radio equipment (RD 1185/2006 art. 53).
CAUTION — SRC is not ROC A recreational short-range certificate does not qualify you to keep the GMDSS watch on a professional-crewed yacht. It is the ROC or GOC that counts.
Radio zones for recreational craft
RD 1185/2006 art. 3.6 defines zones used for recreational equipment scales: 1 (unlimited), 2 (60 nm), 3 (25 nm), 4 (12 nm), 5 (5 nm), 6 (2 nm) and 7 (sheltered waters). They match the navigation zones of RD 339/2021, so a boat certified for zone 3 carries both the radio and the safety kit for 25 nm.
The ship's side
Any transmitter needs a Licencia de Estación de Barco (LEB), and the boat's MMSI must be programmed into DSC sets and EPIRBs (RD 1435/2010 art. 2.j–k).
TIP — Check coverage, not distance Sea area A1 is defined by VHF DSC coast-station coverage, not a fixed distance. Before an offshore passage with only ROC holders aboard, check the published A1 limits for your route. If the route leaves A1 at any point, a GOC holder must be aboard and on watch for that leg.
For the UK equivalents, see the GMDSS courses in the MCA library.