Association of Marine Electronic and Radio Colleges Limited (AMERC) privacy information notice
Updated 27 June 2025
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Please note that as of 12 May 2025 Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) applications are no longer administered on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) by Association of Marine Electronic and Radio Colleges Limited (AMERC).
These applications are now issued directly by the Seafarer Training and Certification branch of the MCA. 聽The below is only relevant to GMDSS applications processed before 12 May 2025.
For all applications processed on or after 12 May 2025 please see seafarer training and certification privacy information notice.
This privacy statement explains how the MCA use any personal information that we collect about you when you apply for GMDSS certification with the AMERC.
Applications for GMDSS certification were administered on behalf of the MCA, which is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT). The MCA is the data controller for the personal data we collected through the services provided by AMERC for the conduct of GMDSS examinations; course approvals, audits and collection of fees.
AMERC oversaw the provision and delivery of courses leading to examinations for GMDSS certification. Examination co-ordination centres provided trained examiners to conduct GMDSS examinations at AMERC approved examination venues.
1. What information do we collect about you?
On behalf of the MCA, AMERC collected information about you when applied for a:
- GMDSS general operators certificate (GOC)
- GMDSS restricted operators certificate (ROC)
- GMDSS long range certificate (LRC)
- GMDSS long range certificate satellite module
- GMDSS conversion
- Electronic navigation equipment maintenance certificate
- GMDSS radio maintenance certificate
The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2015, implement the requirements of the International Convention and Code on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) 1978, as amended; including the provisions prescribing the mandatory minimum requirements for certification of radio personnel appointed for distress and safety communication purposes, in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations 1998. The Radio Regulations implemented in the UK, Chapter IV of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS).
2. How will we use the information about you?
AMERC collected information about you when you applied for GMDSS certification. The personal information you provided is processed by AMERC staff in the UK to assess your application and for correspondence purposes. Your information may be used for investigations, complaints, legal claims or important incidents. Audits were undertaken by AMERC and the MCA and your application may have been randomly selected during this process.
3. Financial information
Financial information which you provided to AMERC, such as credit card details will only have been used to process your payment for your application and destroyed once payment has been authorised.
4. How long we will retain your information
Application forms for GMDSS certification will be held securely for one year by AMERC and the MCA and then destroyed.
Your information will be held electronically for as long as you have a valid certificate of competency (COC). If you have not revalidated your COC and have not returned to sea after 25 years your personal information will be removed from the system.
5. Who we share your information with
After you have successfully undertaken a GMDSS approved course and passed your examination at your chosen examination/course centre, your application form, containing your personal information was submitted to AMERC for the processing and issue of your GMDSS certificate. Your personal information will not be shared with any other parties.