Communication on board is the most important feature. Different systems will bring Vast Floating online: some can simply be bought in a store and are ready to go: satellite phones, or WLAN systems for close-to-land operation for example.
For the important ham radio (SSB) you need a license – in Germany it’s called „Amateurfunkzeugnis“.
The learning material seems to fit for a degree in electrical engineering. Evening classes proved not to be very helpful – especially when not attended consistently… Consequence: finish the „non-electrical part“ in the first step. Success. The second part has to be rescheduled in 2014.