All radio communications station users on board of a ship have to hold a radiotelephone operator's certificate for a ship station.
The Institute is in charge of the organisation of the examinations giving access to operator’s certificates for ship stations.
There are four types of certificates:
- VHF used for inland navigation (commercial and pleasure sailing) and for navigation at sea (pleasure sailing).
- SRC (limited GMDSS certificate) used for pleasure sailing at sea.
- ROC (GMDSS certificate) mainly intended for a professional use at sea (along the coasts).
- GOC (GMDSS certificate) mainly intended for professional use at sea.
LRC examinations are not organised anymore.
The equipment that can be used by the holders of a certificate is covered by the examination regulations.
The GMDSS certificates automatically integrate the VHF certificate.
GMDSS (or SMDSM): Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
On the occasion of Boatshow 2007 BIPT has published a newsletter in which information is given on maritime radio communications; you find here the 2008 edition of it. The 2009 edition is also available, as the 2010 edition. These documents are in Dutch or French.