LACK OF MAINTENANCE ON BOARD & AT SHORE

This was the Area foreseen for our Radio Communications Graduates (2º & 1st Class) who had the neccessary "Maintenance Training and Background" of Radiocommunications & Navigational Equipmen of MMS & MMS by Sat & according with programs from (ERC/STCW & ITU), but it seens that was easier, in short term to replace it by: "Ground Mintenance", it was cheeper and more comfortable, but after 20 years of full application of (GMDSS) has led to the absence of "Preventive Maintenance on Borad".

Taking into account the work of Familiarization & Training neccessary for full aplication of (GMDSS) System, is clear that only those graduates of Radio-communications that can have the acknowledge required for maintenance on board, trough the practice of on Board training will adequatelly meet the needs of future for Graduates on Board an at Shore.

The (GMDSS) has workeed far enough but new technological challenges that go from "Maintenace On Borad to use even in distance Control of units with new Systems of Navigation (VDR, AIS, LRIT, SASS, ECDIS, etc), imply the need to be clear not only in quiqlly adaptations to new version Programs, Apps, etc & the acknowledge ana application of ISO´s that garantee the quality of full installation, but also update the information to know that we are navigation safely, without entering into need to garantee the Security of the future computerized installation onboard.

(GMDSS) was a big advance & has life ahead but it must recover Independence & adquire Security in the alternatives of nowdays as Civil Aviation had to do it & and & understood by go ahead & putting in march (GADSS) System to deal with the same problems and do not lose any planes and especially lives on time.

We must emphatize that the system must continue to be introduced with full garantee of control & identification of every element that is part of the System and correcty classifies and controles in the frecuencie indeicated by the authorityes in relation with Radioelectric part of the spectrum asignated, and full controlled so thah, the AIS Tech. like (PLB´S, EPIRB´S, TRANSPONDERS, etc), should be clearly identified like & not only with the manufacturer number, becouse every country has to pay in advance.

The International Organizations like, IHO, ILO, IMO, ITU, etc with competences on this matter of Safety of Radiocommunications at Sea in (MMS & SMMS) with his Internaional Agencies, must come back into play their Role to ensure nthe Safety and independence over commercial Pressures that must be maintained in its proper mesure .

Regards - Radio Surb. Miguel F. Espadas