§ 10.603 - Requirements for radio officers' licenses, and STCW certificates or endorsements for GMDSS radio operators.

(a) Each applicant for an original license or renewal of license shall present a current first or second class radiotelegraph operator license issued by the Federal Communications Commission. The applicant shall enter on the license application form the number, class, and date of issuance of his or her Federal Communications Commission license.

(b) An applicant for license as radio officer shall apply for a merchant mariner's document under part 12. This document will be endorsed See License as Radio Officer.

(c) Each applicant who furnishes evidence that he or she meets the standard of competence set out in STCW Regulation IV/2 (incorporated by reference in § 10.102), including the competence to transmit and receive information using subsystems of GMDSS, to fulfill the functional requirements of GMDSS, and to provide radio services in emergencies is entitled to hold an STCW certificate suitably endorsed for performing duties associated with GMDSS.

(d) Evidence required by paragraph (c) of this section must include a certificate—

(1) For operator of radio in the GMDSS issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); and

(2) Of completion from a Coast Guard-approved course for operator of radio in the GMDSS, or other approved programs of training and assessment covering the same areas of competence.