BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA

The purpose of these standards is to establish the conditions and requirements to be met by merchant marine personnel in order to be certified in maritime radiocommunications.

The Aquatic Authority is the competent body to recognize the education, training, and instruction of Seafarers provided by universities recognized by the State in the field of maritime radiocommunications, which must be consistent with national legislation and the provisions established in the international conventions to which the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is a party and which govern the matter.

The Aquatic Authority shall establish the general requirements necessary for obtaining each of the certificates issued to Seafarers in the field of maritime radiocommunications. Likewise, it shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with the specific requirements and processes outlined in this Administrative Provision for obtaining each certificate.

The Aquatic Authority shall certify as ship station operators, ship earth station operators, and coast station operators those personnel graduated from State-recognized universities in Maritime Radiocommunications or related fields who demonstrate competence and knowledge in the area, have successfully completed the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Radio Operator course, and have fulfilled any other general requirements established by the Aquatic Authority, under the guidelines and conditions set forth in this Administrative Provision, in accordance with the categories and levels stipulated by the ITU Radio Regulations and the STCW 78/10.

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Radio Operators shall be governed by the regulations established by the Aquatic Authority, in accordance with national legislation and the provisions set forth in the international conventions to which the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is a party and which govern the matter; and shall be classified into four (4) categories:

1. First Class Radio
2. Second Class Radio
3. GMDSS General Operator
4. GMDSS Restricted Operator

Specialists in the operation of maritime radiocommunication equipment in categories not corresponding to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), as indicated by the ITU, shall be governed by the regulations established by the Aquatic Authority, in accordance with national legislation and the provisions set forth in the international conventions to which the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is a party and which govern the matter; and shall be classified into two (2) categories:

1. General Maritime Radiocommunications Operator
2. Basic Radiotelephony Operator

Maritime Radiocommunication Inspectors shall meet the requirements established by the Aquatic Authority, with the essential condition of having successfully completed the Maritime Radiocommunication Inspector course at an educational center duly authorized by the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces (INEA), possessing the level of education and training required by international conventions and national legislation, as well as proven experience in the field of maritime radiocommunications; and shall be classified into two (2) categories:

1. Unrestricted Maritime Radio Inspector
2. Maritime Radiocommunications Inspector Restricted

Maritime radiocommunications specialist personnel described in Articles 5, 6, and 7 who, based on their category, meet the requirements for a higher-category certificate shall have automatically fulfilled the requirements for lower-level certificates; therefore, they may directly qualify for such certificates without prejudice to fulfilling all other requirements established by the Aquatic Authority.

The GMDSS First-Class Radio Operator shall be authorized to operate GMDSS systems, sub-systems, and equipment in maritime areas A1-A2-A3-A4, as well as radionavigation aid equipment, in compliance with the provisions of STCW 78/10 and the ITU Radio Regulations; to serve as GMDSS radio station supervisor; and shall possess sufficient theoretical and practical knowledge of electricity, radio theory, and electronics principles to locate and repair faults at the module and component level for the corrective maintenance of GMDSS equipment and installations.

The GMDSS Second-Class Radio Operator shall be authorized to operate GMDSS systems, sub-systems, and equipment in maritime areas A1-A2-A3, as well as radionavigation aid equipment, in compliance with the provisions of STCW 78/10 and the ITU Radio Regulations; to serve as a GMDSS operator; and shall possess theoretical and practical knowledge of electricity principles, radio theory, and electronics sufficient to locate and report faults at the module and component level, as well as to perform preventive maintenance on GMDSS equipment and installations.

The GMDSS General Operator shall be authorized to operate GMDSS sub-systems and equipment for maritime areas A1-A2-A3, as well as radionavigation aid equipment, in compliance with the provisions established by STCW 78/10 and the ITU Radio Regulations.

The GMDSS Restricted Operator shall be authorized to operate GMDSS systems, sub-systems, and equipment for radiotelephony in maritime areas A1-A2, as well as radionavigation aid equipment, in compliance with the provisions established by STCW 78/10 and the ITU Radio Regulations.

The General Operator of Maritime Radiocommunications shall be authorized to operate short- and long-range radiocommunication equipment, with general knowledge of the operation of GMDSS sub-systems and equipment for all maritime areas, and to operate radionavigation aid equipment, in compliance with the provisions established by the ITU Radio Regulations.

The Basic Radiotelephone Operator will be authorized to operate short-range radiocommunications equipment with basic knowledge of the operation of GMDSS equipment for A1-A2 maritime areas, complying with the requirements established in the ITU Radio Regulations.

The Inspector of Unrestricted Maritime Radiocommunications shall be empowered to conduct radio inspections on all ships or shore stations with radiocommunications equipment with range for sea areas A1-A2-A3-A4 and all shore stations.

The Restricted Maritime Radiocommunications Inspector shall be empowered to conduct radio inspections on ships smaller than 500 AB that have shore stations with radiocommunications equipment with range to sea areas A1-A2, as well as radio inspections on shore stations with range to sea areas A1-A2.

Those who aspire to obtain certification for any of the categories of maritime radiocommunications described in this Administrative Ruling must submit to the Aquatic Authority both the “general requirements” established by it and the “specific requirements” that demonstrate the documentation of competence corresponding to each category for which they opt, which are developed in the following articles.

Those seeking certification under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) must submit the competency documents corresponding to the category requested, according to the classification described below:

a. First Class Radio Operator’s Certificate

1. Certificate of approval of the GMDSS general operator course, issued by an educational center or institute authorized by the Aquatic Authority.
2. Black background of the University Degree (engineer or bachelor’s degree) in the area of Maritime Radiocommunications or related career in the area of communications that is in accordance with the preparation stipulated in the ITU Radio Regulations and other national and international standards (only in the case of opting directly for this Certificate).
3. Proof of English language proficiency according to the technical functions to be performed in the maritime area, being valid any of the following options:
   • The certificate of proficiency in Maritime English issued by the Venezuelan Nautical Education Center (CENAVE), or;
   • Diploma obtained after having completed and passed the IMO 3.17 Maritime English course, or;
   • If you have taken an English language course at a language school, a certificate issued by the school indicating that you have an intermediate or advanced level (according to the syllabus), or;
   • In the case of graduates of the Universidad Marítima del Caribe, a certificate issued by that university indicating the level of English obtained.
4. Proof that he/she holds or has held the position of Second Class Radio Operator, in radio stations on board GMDSS or shore stations, for a minimum period of one (1) year in the last five (5) years.
5. Proof of having completed maintenance courses on the radio communications equipment and systems that make up the GMDSS.
6. Proven experience in the maintenance of GMDSS equipment.
7. Photocopy of the Second Class Radio Operator’s Certificate (when applicable).

b. Second Class Radio Operator’s Certificate

1. Black background of the University Degree (engineer or graduate) in the area of Maritime Radiocommunications or related career in the communications area, which is in accordance with the preparation stipulated in the ITU Radio Regulations and other national and international standards.
2. Certified Notes that support the University Degree presented.
3. Proof of English language proficiency according to the technical functions to be performed in the maritime area, being valid any of the following options:
   • The certificate of proficiency in Maritime English issued by the Venezuelan Nautical Education Center (CENAVE), or;
   • Diploma obtained after having completed and passed the IMO 3.17 Maritime English course, or;
   • If you have taken an English language course at a language school, a certificate issued by the school indicating that you have an intermediate or advanced level (according to the syllabus), or;
   • In the case of graduates of the Universidad Marítima del Caribe, a certificate issued by that university indicating the level of English obtained.
4. Certificate of approval of the GMDSS General Operator course, issued by an educational center authorized by the Maritime Authority.
5. Proof of having completed maintenance courses on the radio communications equipment and systems that make up the GMDSS.

c. GMDSS General Operator Certificate

1. Black background of the University Degree (TSU, Engineer, Bachelor) of a career related to the maritime area and that is in accordance with the preparation stipulated in the ITU Radio Regulations and other national and international standards.
2. Certified Notes that support the University Degree presented.
3. Proof of time spent on vessels or time spent working at a GMDSS station.
4. Certificate of approval of the GMDSS General Operator course, issued by an Institute authorized by the Maritime Authority.
5. Proof of English language proficiency according to the technical functions to be performed in the maritime area, being valid any of the following options:
   • The certificate of sufficiency of Maritime English issued by the Venezuelan Center of Nautical Studies (CENAVE), or;
   • Diploma obtained after having completed and passed the IMO 3.17 Maritime English course, or;
   • If you have taken an English language course at a language school, a certificate issued by the school indicating that you have an intermediate or advanced level (according to the syllabus), or;
   • In the case of graduates of the Universidad Marítima del Caribe, a certificate issued by that university indicating the level of English obtained.

d. GMDSS Restricted Operator Certificate

1. Black background of the Título de Bachiller.
2. Proof of English language proficiency according to the technical functions to be performed in the maritime area, being valid any of the following options:
   • The certificate of proficiency in Maritime English issued by the Venezuelan Nautical Education Center (CENAVE), or;
   • Diploma obtained after having completed and passed the IMO 3.17 Maritime English course, or;
   • If you have taken an English language course at a language school, a certificate issued by the school indicating that you have an intermediate or advanced level (according to the syllabus).
3. Certificate of approval of the GMDSS operator course, issued by the Institute authorized by the Aquatic Authority.

However, in order to obtain any certification belonging to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), the Aquatic Authority may request any other requirement it deems pertinent, in order to confirm that the knowledge and training is in accordance with the category requested.

Those who aspire to obtain the certification as Maritime Radiocommunications Operator must submit the competency documents corresponding to the category requested, according to the classification described below:

a. General Maritime Radiocommunications Operator’s Certificate

1. Black background of the Middle Technician or Higher Technician Degree issued by a Technical Institute of Electronics and Basic Electricity or a University with a related career.
2. Certificate of approval of the GMDSS General Operator course, issued by an Institute authorized by the Maritime Authority or of a radiocommunications course that is in accordance with the preparation stipulated in the ITU Radio Regulations.
3. Proof of English language proficiency according to the technical functions to be performed in the maritime area, being valid any of the following options:
   • The certificate of proficiency in Maritime English issued by the Venezuelan Nautical Education Center (CENAVE), or;
   • Diploma obtained after having completed and passed the IMO 3.17 Maritime English course, or;
   • If you have taken an English language course at a language school, a certificate issued by the school indicating that you have a basic level (according to the syllabus).

b. Basic Radiotelephony Operator’s Certificate

1. Certificate of approval of the Basic Course of Radiocommunications, issued by the Venezuelan Nautical Education Center (CENAVE), or by an Institute authorized by the Maritime Authority that adapts to what establishes the Regulation of Radiocommunications of the UIT for stations with range of VHF.

However, in order to obtain any certification as a Maritime Radio Operator, the Aquatic Authority may request any other requirement it deems pertinent, with the purpose of confirming that the knowledge and training is in accordance with the category requested.

Those who aspire to obtain the certification of Inspector of Maritime Radiocommunications must submit the competency documents corresponding to the category requested, according to the classification described below:

a. Unrestricted Maritime Radio Inspector

1. Black background of the University Degree in the area of engineering or a career related to the communications area (minimum 3 years of training), and that is in accordance with the preparation stipulated in the ITU Radiocommunication Regulations.
2. Study syllabus duly certified by the respective University.
3. Demonstrate experience in the area of Maritime Radiocommunications, through any of the following options:
   • Have been certified as a First Class Radio Operator, with a minimum of three (03) years of experience with such certificate, or;
   • Have worked in Maritime Radiocommunications stations for a minimum of ten (10) years, or;
   • Have worked as a Restricted Maritime Radiocommunications Inspector for a minimum of three (03) years, or;
   • Proof of having worked at least five (05) years in an Electronics Maintenance Center.
4. Proof of English language proficiency according to the technical functions to be performed in the maritime area, being valid any of the following options:
   • The certificate of proficiency in Maritime English issued by the Venezuelan Nautical Education Center (CENAVE), or;
   • Diploma obtained after having completed and passed the IMO 3.17 Maritime English course, or;
   • If you have taken an English language course at a language school, a certificate issued by the school indicating that you have an intermediate or advanced level (according to the syllabus), or;
   • In the case of graduates of the Universidad Marítima del Caribe, a certificate issued by that university indicating the level of English obtained.
5. Certification issued by an Institute authorized by the Aquatic Authority, stating that he/she has successfully completed and passed the Maritime Radiocommunications Inspector course.

b. Maritime Radiocommunications Inspector Restricted

1. Black background of the University Degree (minimum 3 years of training), which is in accordance with the preparation stipulated in the ITU Radio Regulations.
2. Curriculum duly certified by the educational center.
3. Demonstrate experience in the area of Maritime Radiocommunications through any of the following options:
   • Have been certified as a First Class Radio Operator, or;
   • To have worked in Maritime Radiocommunications stations for a minimum of five (05) years, in the case of a university professional; in the case of a mid-level technician, the minimum time will be ten (10) years, or;
   • Proof of having worked for a minimum of two (02) years in an electronics maintenance center, in the case of a university professional; in the case of a mid-level technician, the minimum time will be five (05) years.
4. Proof of English language proficiency according to the technical functions to be performed in the maritime area, being valid any of the following options:
   • The certificate of proficiency in Maritime English issued by the Venezuelan Nautical Education Center (CENAVE), or;
   • Diploma obtained after having completed and passed the IMO 3.17 Maritime English course, or;
   • If you have taken an English language course at a language school, a certificate issued by the school indicating that you have an intermediate or advanced level (according to the syllabus), or;
   • In the case of graduates of the Universidad Marítima del Caribe, a certificate issued by that university indicating the level of English obtained.
5. Certification issued by an Institute authorized by the Aquatic Authority, stating that he/she has successfully completed and passed the Maritime Radiocommunications Inspector course.

Every vessel between 5 and 150 GT navigating in A1 sea areas shall have a VHF station with digital selective calling (DSC) and a crew member certified as GMDSS Restricted Operator on board. When navigating in A1-A2 sea areas, in addition to the above mentioned VHF equipment, a MF station with digital selective calling (DSC) must be installed, and a crew member certified as GMDSS Restricted Operator or GMDSS General Operator, according to the type of vessel, must be on board.

This provision includes sport, recreational, fishing and general cargo vessels. In the case of passenger vessels, they must comply with this provision and with the provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) for passenger vessels, and other national and international standards for each type of vessel.

All vessels larger than 150 GT must have on board certified personnel according to the maritime zone in which they navigate and have the equipment stipulated by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

Maritime Radiocommunications Inspectors who have been certified prior to the entry into force of this Administrative Ruling, shall have a period of ninety (90) days to recertify under the electronic certification modality issued by the Aquatic Authority, which shall be valid for five (05) years.

Maritime Radiocommunications Inspectors shall take refresher courses in accordance with the procedures implemented by the Aquatic Authority for this purpose.