# Analyzing Port State Control Data to Explore Future Improvements to GMDSS Training
## 4 Discussion
### Radio Deficiencies Linked to a Lack of Competencies in Maritime Communications of OOWs  
In the review [56], the analysis of deficiencies that were behind the port state control inspection was conducted. Three major factors were highlighted: (i) onboard crew training; (ii) the insufficient number of correctly trained and educated seaferers onboard; and (iii) the age of the ship. The idea revolving around these findings is clear and implies that better continuous training on board the crew will reduce the number of deficiencies. Paradoxically, the same study reflects that the largest number of recommendations are located around safety systems and the smallest has been recorded in crew training and \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Country**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Proportion of Inspections Using Different Datasets**} \\  & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Values in \% of the Total**} \\ \cline{2-3}  & **Total 23,175 Inspections** & **HRSC2 Subset. 1979 Inspections that Led to the Detention of 1667 Ships** \\ \hline Spain & 12.5\% & 17.8\% \\ Romania & 7.6\% & 7.1\% \\ Italy & 6.7\% & 18.7\% \\ Greece & 5.1\% & 11.2\% \\ France & 3.3\% & 3.6\% \\ Croatia & 1.3\% & 3.3\% \\ Malta & 1\% & 2.0\% \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 13: Importance of Country Mediterranean ports in the identification of radio failures that lead to detention putting the focus on HRSC2 subset. drills for emergencies. When the former is caused by the latter, it is like putting the cart before the horse. Certainly, PSCOs are authorized to verify that OOWs are certified for the functions they perform, but also that they are competent in their watchkeeping and are guarantors of safety. If there is reason to believe that standards are not being met, the inspector has the right to assess the seafarer's ability to maintain watchkeeping standards [57]. It should be remembered that the choice of the HRSC3 subset is made in terms of repeat inspections where training problems are detected. This indicator connects with the IMO recommendation [57] that continuous familiarization with the GMDSS operational performance of OOWs (particularly in DISTRESS situations) should be verified during port State Control. And in case the inspections turn out to be negative, the company must take appropriate measures. Therefore, to evaluate poor compliance with this recommendation, again, the number of inspections with findings related to the GDMSS per time unit is more revealing than the number of deficiencies. Figure 3 shows that the total number of radio deficiencies has been decreasing until it has stabilized in recent years, which is good news. This stabilization is camouflaged by the years of the pandemic, mainly the year 2020. Another thing that is striking is that the ratio of deficiencies re-coded as \"equipment\" and those re-coded as \"lack of OOWs training\" has evened out over time. When seeing the time evolution of the proportion of deficiencies labeled as \"training\", it seems to indicate a tendency to surpass the deficiencies labeled as \"equipment\" in importance. Deficiencies labeled \"Others\" (5199) are decreasing, which can perhaps be attributed to better training of the PSCOs themselves. The common deficiencies in the category \"Equipment\" are due to causes such as unsatisfactory levels of transmission and reception of radio equipment, deteriorated aerials, emergency power sources with supply problems, and automatic alarms that do not do their job for multiple reasons. Many of these failures are not noticeable at first glance since the officer does not appreciate the lack of communication performance while interacting with the human-machine interface. All this could reveal a lack of adequate maintenance, and consequently, it could also be attributed in certain cases to a lack of training in checkup routines and maintenance procedures, which should be investigated.