Seafarer documentsCertificates and qualifications
GMDSS general operator's certificate (GOC)
GOC
- ITU RR 47.22; STCW IV/2
- Full entry
- Checked 6 October 2026
- Document type
- Radio operator certificate
- Validity
- As issued; competence shown every 5 years
- Names in other countries
- 21 countries
Contents7
1 What it covers
General Operator’s Certificate (GOC) (ITU RR 47.22) certifies general GMDSS operator competence, including distress and safety communication procedures. It is needed by radio operators and deck officers assigned GMDSS duties. Validity: as issued; competence shown every 5 years.1–4
2 What it consists of
The standard of competence is set by table A-IV/2 of the Code.1–3
3 Validity and renewal
Document validity. The expiry date, if the issuing system sets one, is shown on the document itself. This reference does not calculate personal expiry dates.
Maintaining competence. To keep serving at sea on ships under STCW, the holder revalidates this certificate at intervals not exceeding 5 years.4
4 Which positions
The need follows from the ship and the duties on board, not from the title of the position. In this reference the document appears in the requirements of these positions:
- Master
- Chief Officer
- Second Officer
- Third Officer
- Fourth Officer
- Officer of the Watch (OOW)
- Chief Radio Officer
- Radio Electronic Operator (GMDSS)
Show all 9
5 Names in 21 countries
How national systems name this document. The original name is given where the source has it; the English name is our editorial rendering.
Same document
| Country | Name in the issuing country |
|---|---|
| South Africa | GMDSS general operator’s certificateIssued by: South African Maritime Safety Authority · source |
| Ukraine | GMDSS General Operator's Certificatesource |
| Estonia | Raadiosideoperaatori tunnistusGeneral Radio Operator CertificateIssued by: Transpordiamet · source |
| Spain | Operador General del Sistema Mundial de Socorro y Seguridad MarítimaGMDSS General Operator's CertificateIssued by: Dirección General de la Marina Mercante · source |
| Bulgaria | Ship GMDSS General Radio Operator Certificatesource |
| Germany | Allgemeines Betriebszeugnis GOCGMDSS General Operator's Certificate (GOC)Issued by: BSH · source |
Show all 21 countries
Same document
| Country | Name in the issuing country |
|---|---|
| France | Certificat général d'opérateur (CGO)GMDSS General Operator's Certificate (CGO)Issued by: French maritime administration · source |
| Mexico | Operador General del SMSSMGMDSS General OperatorIssued by: SEMAR, Dirección General de Marina Mercante · source |
| Portugal | Certificado geral de operador no GMDSSGMDSS General Operator's CertificateIssued by: DGRM · source |
| Thailand | General Operator’s CertificateIssued by: Marine Department · source |
| Algeria | Certificat général d’opérateur des radiocommunications (C.G.O)General Operator’s CertificateIssued by: Agence nationale des fréquences · source |
| Norway | Certificate of Competency GOC (General Operator's Certificate)GMDSS General Operator's Certificate (GOC)Issued by: Norwegian Maritime Authority / Sjøfartsdirektoratet · source |
| Hong Kong | General Operator’s CertificateIssued by: Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) · source |
| Myanmar | GMDSS Radio Operator Certificate of CompetencyIssued by: Department of Marine Administration · source |
| New Zealand | GMDSS radio operatorIssued by: Maritime New Zealand · source |
| Sri Lanka | Certificate of competency – GMDSS Radio OperatorIssued by: Merchant Shipping Secretariat / Director General of Merchant Shipping · source |
| Colombia | Radio Operador GeneralGMDSS General OperatorIssued by: Dirección General Marítima (DIMAR) · source |
| Ecuador | Operador general del sistema mundial de socorro y seguridad marítima (GMDSS)GMDSS General Operator TrainingIssued by: Dirección Nacional de los Espacios Acuáticos (DIRNEA), Armada del Ecuador · source |
| Slovenia | GMDSS-radijski operater s splošnim pooblastilomGMDSS General Operator CertificateIssued by: Uprava Republike Slovenije za pomorstvo · source |
| Taiwan | 通用級全球海上遇險及安全系統值機員適任證書GMDSS General Operator Certificate of CompetencyIssued by: Maritime and Port Bureau / Ministry of Transportation and Communications · source |
Related document
| Country | Name in the issuing country |
|---|---|
| United States | Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Radio OperatorIssued by: United States Coast Guard, National Maritime Center · source |
| Ecuador | Oficial de RadioperacionesRadio Operations OfficerIssued by: Dirección Nacional de los Espacios Acuáticos (DIRNEA), Armada del Ecuador · source |
"Related document" is a national document of its own system that relates to this type but is not automatically equal to it.
6
Meets the requirements of the lower category: Restricted Operator’s Certificate (ROC) ITU RR 47.23; STCW IV/25
Its requirements are met by the higher category: Second-Class Radio Electronic Certificate ITU RR 47.21; STCW IV/25
7 Frequently asked questions
Who needs the General Operator’s Certificate (GOC)?
How long is the General Operator’s Certificate (GOC) valid?
The expiry date, if the issuing system sets one, is shown on the document itself. This reference does not calculate personal expiry dates. To keep serving at sea on ships under STCW, the holder revalidates this certificate at intervals not exceeding 5 years.4
What else is the General Operator’s Certificate (GOC) called?
Also known as GMDSS General Operator's Certificate (GOC) (STCW IV/2). National names in 21 countries are listed on this page.