MARC043 Transmit and Receive Information by Marine Radio

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to:

• Transmit and receive information by marine radio, including using marine very high frequency (VHF) and high frequency (HF) radio according to regulations.
• Carry out user maintenance and fault-finding procedures on radio equipment and power supplies.
• Operate emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs), search and rescue radar transponders (SARTs), automatic identification system search and rescue transmitters (AIS-SARTs), AIS man overboard (AIS-MOB) devices and digital selective calling MOB (DSC-MOB) devices.

This unit applies to people working in the maritime industry in the capacity of:

• Master on commercial vessels <80 m in length within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), or
• Chief mate or deck watchkeeper on a vessel <80 m in length within the EEZ.

This unit is offered over a three-month period through a blended delivery model of face-to-face and online training and assessment. The face-to-face component is delivered as a practical workshop (1 day). Prior to commencement of the face-to-face component of the unit, online pre-learning and formative assessment activities must be completed. You will have online support from trainers and assessors throughout the duration of the unit.

You are welcome to attend more than one face-to-face workshop during the three-month program if you would like extra learning or if the trainer and assessor has identified that you need extra time in order to gain competence. Extra workshops incur no further costs and are included in your original unit fee/s.

Please note: The unit can be completed prior to the three-month period; however, this is based on a student's current level of knowledge and experience.

You will need a computer or tablet with internet access for the online components of this program. All resources required for the practical workshop will be provided by PTG. 

Legislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this unit. The Radiocommunications Act 1992 (the Radcomm Act), through the Radiocommunications License Conditions (Maritime Ship License) Determination 2015 requires that operators of VHF maritime ship stations are appropriately qualified to operate the stations. This means that operators are required to hold a relevant Australian maritime radio operator's certificate of proficiency or an equivalent overseas qualification.

The Australian Maritime College (AMC) acts as the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) delegate in providing marine radio certificate services under the Radcomm Act, including the issue of Long Range Radio Operator’s Certificates of Proficiency (LROCPs). Operators who have attained a Statement of Attainment from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) for this unit can apply to the AMC for the issue of a LROCP without the need to sit a further examination. This unit is one of the requirements to obtain Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification as defined in the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part D and Marine Order 505.

Therefore, once you have achieved a satisfactory result for this unit of competency, you will receive a statement of attainment. You will then need to submit an application for the recognition of a Unit of Competency (UOC) with The Office of Maritime Communications at the Australian Maritime College to obtain a Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP) license. 

For more information:
Marine radio certificates (amsa.gov.au)
How to Obtain a Certificate of Proficiency - Australian Maritime College (amc.edu.au)

For information on PTG payment plans, please contact Paradigm Training Group.