GMDSS TRAINER vs USCG Navigation Rules Handbook
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
GMDSS TRAINER
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Master Your FCC Maritime Radio Exams with GMDSS TRAINER. Whether you are pursuing a Marine Radio Operator Permit (MROP) or a specialized GMDSS Radio Maintainer’s License, GMDSS TRAINER is the modern study companion designed to help you pass on your first attempt. Built for professionals and maritime students, this app combines the official FCC question pools with cutting-edge AI guidance to ensure you don’t just memorize answers—you understand the material. EXCLUSIVE: AI-POWERED EXPLANATIONS Stuck on a complex technical question about signal propagation or distress frequencies? Tap the AI icon to receive a detailed, easy-to-understand explanation generated specifically for that question. It’s like having a maritime electronics instructor in your pocket. COMPREHENSIVE FCC COVERAGE Study for all major FCC Commercial Radio Operator license elements, including: • Element 1: Marine Radio Operator Permit (MROP) • Element 3: General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) • Element 6: Advanced Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate • Element 7R: GMDSS Radio Operator's License • Element 8: Ship RADAR Endorsement • Element 9: GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License FLEXIBLE STUDY MODES • Practice Mode: Review questions at your own pace. Use hints to eliminate wrong answers and access AI explanations instantly. • Exam Mode: Simulate the real testing environment with timed sessions and official question counts. See if you can achieve the required 75% passing score under pressure. • Review Mode: Dive deep into your results. Identify weak areas with topic-based performance breakdowns and color-coded answer reviews. KEY FEATURES: • Official Databases: Always up-to-date with the latest FCC question pools. • Detailed Analytics: Track your progress over time with intuitive dashboards and performance history. • Smart Flagging: Bookmark difficult questions to review them later. • Topic Breakdown: See exactly which sub-elements you need to study more. • Modern Interface: A clean, responsive design optimized for study efficiency. Don't leave your maritime career to chance. Download GMDSS TRAINER today and take the first step toward your professional FCC certification.
USCG Navigation Rules Handbook
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The complete Navigation Rules, International (COLREGS) and Inland, side by side, rule by rule. Plus the Boat Crew Seamanship Manual and the International Code of Signals. Three public domain maritime references in one offline library. An independent reference app. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the US Coast Guard, the USCG Auxiliary, NGA, or the Department of Homeland Security. It reproduces their public domain publications, which are also free at navcen.uscg.gov. Free forever. No ads, no subscription, no account, no data sharing. NAVIGATION RULES HANDBOOK (COLREGS AND INLAND) The complete International Rules (72 COLREGS) and Inland Rules (33 CFR 83), presented side by side rule by rule exactly as the official handbook does, with a quick toggle to show only International, only Inland, or both at once. Parts A through F plus Annexes I through V. This is the whole rules of the road text, not a summary or a quiz bank. BOAT CREW SEAMANSHIP MANUAL The full manual: boat handling, towing, search and rescue, heavy weather, navigation, sound signals, anchoring. Every chapter, fully searchable. INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SIGNALS (NGA PUB 102) All 40 signal flags (26 letters, 10 numerals, 3 substitutes and the answering pennant) with their single letter meanings, plus the two letter Distress, SAR, Maneuvering and Weather sections. WHO IT IS FOR • Captains preparing for a USCG OUPV (six pack) or Master license • Anyone studying the rules of the road for a licence exam • Coast Guard Auxiliarists working through Boat Crew Member or Coxswain qualifications • Recreational boaters and sailors who want the real rules at a glance, not a paraphrase • Anyone responsible for the safe operation of a vessel WHY THIS ONE Most navigation rules apps charge between four and sixteen dollars for the text alone. Here the complete text of all three references, full search, and bookmarks are free, forever. A single $0.99 purchase adds the interactive study tools. There is no subscription and there never will be. PRO TOOLS, A SINGLE $0.99 PURCHASE SIDE BY SIDE RULE COMPARISON International (72 COLREGS) and Inland (33 CFR 83) shown in parallel for every rule. Toggle between Both, International, and Inland. This is the view license candidates need, because the exam asks which jurisdiction says what. KNOT LIBRARY Bowline, cleat hitch, clove hitch, square knot, sheet bend, round turn and two half hitches, anchor bend. Each with its use case, the verbatim Boat Crew procedure, and a deep link back to the manual section that covers it. SIGNAL FLAG DECODER A 40 flag grid with the phonetic name and glyph for every flag, plus a multi flag hoist decoder. Type the hoist, get the meaning. Works offline. QUALIFICATION CHECKLIST 42 Personnel Qualification Standards tasks across 10 categories including helmsmanship, navigation, engineering, communications, seamanship, first aid and damage control. Check off each task as you complete it. Every task deep links to the relevant Boat Crew Seamanship section so you can study it right there. OFFLINE BY DESIGN • Fully offline, no signal needed underway • Dark, low light interface for the wheelhouse at night • Fast search across all three references at once • Bookmarks and recently viewed sections • Progress saved on your device SAFETY DISCLAIMER This app is a study and reference tool. NOT FOR PRIMARY NAVIGATION. Always consult current official publications, Local Notices to Mariners, and current charts when actually underway. Maritime regulations are updated weekly, so verify any operationally significant rule or procedure against the current source. ATTRIBUTION The Navigation Rules Handbook and Boat Crew Seamanship Manual are US Coast Guard publications and the International Code of Signals is an NGA publication, all works of the United States Government in the public domain. This app is an independent product with no government affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement.
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Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: USCG Navigation Rules Handbook at 15.1 against GMDSS TRAINER's 26.1. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. GMDSS TRAINER sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and USCG Navigation Rules Handbook sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
GMDSS TRAINER ships an update every 6 weeks, USCG Navigation Rules Handbook monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 6, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | GMDSS TRAINER | USCG Navigation Rules Handbook |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 26.1 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 84 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Osprey Applications LLC | SEDX LLC |
In-app purchases
GMDSS TRAINER
- Full Access$14.99
USCG Navigation Rules Handbook
- Coxswain Pro$0.99





