# Analyzing Port State Control Data to Explore Future Improvements to GMDSS Training
## 4 Discussion
### GMDSS Education and Training  
The detention of the ship is undoubtedly the most drastic repercussion of any PSC inspection. Regarding maritime communications, the immobilization of the ship is not only connected with serious defects in the radio equipment dedicated to distress communications but may also be motivated by the incompetence of the officers when addressing the distress operation of any equipment at GMDSS and the lack of knowledge of procedures. Figure 5 shows that this fault (code 5118) related to training is one of the most important causes of detention because it is a critical factor in an emergency. However, maintaining proper GMDSS usage capabilities is crucial because emergencies at sea rarely occur. Therefore, the deck officers require regular updating to refresh relevant knowledge and skills and maintain safety at sea [57; 59]. The project E-GMDSS is an example of how e-learning can solve the Maritime Education and Training (MET) requirements for refreshing radio communications competencies. Even though some technological solutions [58] can alleviate and automate some processes related to the correct use of the GMDSS, in this study deficiencies 5115 and, of course, 5118 have been used as an indicator that identifies a problem of a higher nature, which is the correct qualification of the OOWs in the management of communications equipment. In other words, it is an indicator of ships with safety deficiencies, possibly due to a lack of training in marine communications. MET is an essential component in ensuring maritime safety, given its reliance on human factors. Inadequate MET procedures may result in insufficient competency, which can lead to potential accidents [60]. Figure 4: The most significant radio defective codes (Table 5), due to their high number, are shown in their progression over 18 years. The codes represented on the left (**a**) have decreased considerably, while those shown on the right (**b**) have had a smaller decrease. The inevitable transition towards Industry 4.0 is also being implemented in maritime transport, which implies a constant review of some aspects of education and training in digital and technological competencies adapted to seafarers. When exploring the concerns of current publications on this topic, we find an increasing number of publications, of course, without pretending to be exhaustive. E.g., [61, 62, 63, 64] and the review [65]. New concepts come into place, and seafarers and nautical students need to become familiar with decarbonization, sustainability, cybersecurity, autonomous ships, smart ports, e-navigation, and many others. Nothing has been found in the literature about the MET needs with the modernization of the GMDSS facing its next entry into force. But far from these concerns, the current maritime communications are supported by a communications system that has barely changed in the last 30 years. Today's students have smartphones in their pockets that allow for much more sophisticated communications than those provided by the current GMDSS. Faced with this reality, some things will have to change, whether it is the GMDSS equipment itself seeking greater simplicity, automation, and transmission/reception capacity [58, 66] or how to maintain and improve knowledge and skills through continuous training. In recent years, an informal survey has been carried out on those students enrolled in the course \"Maritime Communications\" at the University of Cadiz who had no previous experience in navigation on board ships or radio communication about their perception of the contents and skills they are about to acquire during theoretical and practical classes in simulators (posed as an open question). This course leads to the GMDSS general operator certificate. This survey (with this and other questions) has been formalized starting this year. In general, students believe that the course is about the operation of radiocommunication equipment, both from the point of view of hardware and software.