Penarth next week.

[keana]

You`ve got me thinking now. I`ll have to find out where I stand on this one. I`ve tried to do everything to the letter of the law as far as being licenced is concerned. I would be mortified if I knew I was committing any offence. Please advise me someone.........

[Kaptin Kod]

Picked this up off the ofcom site :- the bit you need is between *****-*****

What is required to use marine radio legally?
Article S18 of the international Radio Regulations requires that:

No transmitting station may be established or operated by a private person or any enterprise without a licence issued in an appropriate form and in conformity with the provisions of these Regulations by or on behalf of the government of the country to which the station in question is subject.

Article S47 of the international Radio Regulations further states that:

The service of every ship radiotelephone station, ship earth station and ship station shall be controlled by an operator holding a certificate issued or recognised by the government to which the station is subject. Provided the station is so controlled, other persons besides the holder of the certificate may use the equipment.

This means that maritime radio equipment available for use on board a vessel that is owned by a UK citizen or UK registered must be:

*****Covered by a valid ship radio licence or transportable marine radio licence issued in the United Kingdom by the Radiocommunications Agency;
Operated by or under the direct personal supervision of a holder of a valid Maritime radio operator's certificate;
Compliant with the requirements of either the Marine Equipment Directive (MED), the Radio & Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive or Nationally Type approved.

What does this mean to you?
Even if you have a radio which is covered by a valid WT Act licence you are not permitted to use it for general transmissions until you have either passed the relevant examination and are in possession of an operator's certificate and authority to operate, or have someone on board who has. This does not mean that the radio cannot be monitored for safety purposes or used to summon assistance in a distress situation. This is because the terms of the licence require that the radio is operated by or under the direct and personal supervision of a holder of a valid marine radio operator's certificate. The Authority to Operate from the Secretary of State also forms part of the operator's certificate. This certificate ensures that users of maritime radio have proven that they understand and are able to use the correct procedures for radio use and will not cause a nuisance to their fellow radio users including other vessels and HM Coastguard.

This also ensures that if you have to use your radio in an emergency situation you will be familiar with the procedures required. In other words if you, your crew, another crew or vessel relies on you to send, respond to or relay their "MAYDAY" you will be able to do so effectively and you could save someone's life. *****

[Charter Skipper]

Ofcom give you a call sign when you obtain your radio licensce,you get an MMSI number when you have a DCS radio fitted to your vessel,this is then registerd with the MCA,and holds all your boats details.So if you then get in to difficulty you can send a mayday with the radio via DSC (Digital Selective Calling),this gives your exact position and nature of emergency.You should not be operating a VHF without doing the VHF/DSC course,as the Ofcom licensce is only for using the radio,not being qualified to be using it.Mad i know but thats the government for you.......

[keana]

I guess there will be a lot of boat owners out there who will benefit from that information fellas (me for one). Judging by the cr*p that comes over the radio, there are an awful lot of unlicenced radio users out there. I have never actually used the radio except to call the barrage but I can understand the requirement. It does seem unfair that people like myself who are competent radio users (fire service for 30 yrs) have to shell out yet more money to comply with the regs, when it is perfectly obvios that there are loads out there who clearly non-compliant.
I will be doing a Day Skippers course very shortly so I guess i`ll be doing a DSC radio course also.
Cheers for all the info.

[Kaptin Kod]

Sorry Keana, opened a can of worms there but I must point out your earlier comment.


"but alas I have never used it and have to confess would not know how to call up any one elses either"

This is why the course is required.

I'm out Saturday so I may well see you out there.

KK

[keana]

Good luck on Saturday and thanks for the can `o` worms KK (only kidding mate). I wont see you out there on Saturday but I hope to get out on Bank Holiday Monday, as I said I would take my friends boy out fishing over easter.