Advice regarding Ships Radio License, DSC VHF, OFCOM, MARS, etc

[ganter]

Hi,

Okay, so I've got my dad's old Westerly up and about after a few years of neglect.
I'm in the thros of sorting out some new electronics including DSC-VHF.

As for Radar, Chart plotters, AIS they can all come later.

As to the VHF I know that dad had a ship license in place as the boat has a call sign which shows up on searching the MARS database. It has the vessel name, tonnage, Region, etc and it also has the name of a mate of dad's who obviously was the one with the VHF certificate.

I'm aware that I'll need to do the DSC course and obtain my own certificate, my query is regarding the boat's license.

On the OFCOM website I can't search for the boat's Ships Radio License number even with the call sign and this info isn't published on the MARS database.

Should I just scrap everything and get a new SHIPS Radio License? I'm worried that if I do this I'll start confusing the vessels call sign/ MARS database, etc.

Any advice on how to proceed gratefully received.

 

[mikemanor]

Phone Ofcom. They are very helpful; tell them the above and they will sort it out for you.

Tel: 0300 123 1000 or 0207 981 3131

 

[prv]

Strictly speaking, the license is issued to a person rather than the boat - it's permission from the government to install a radio, and you can't give a lump of GRP permission to do something. So you would need to take out a new station license anyway. The existing one should be cancelled - in theory your dad should do that, or if he's died (sorry, your post makes it sound that way?) then his executors as part of sorting out his affairs. However, it's perfectly normal for that not to have been done, people often forget or don't bother. I think if you provide enough information for Ofcom to see that it's the same boat (ideally the SSR number if it has one) then they will cancel the old license automatically. If they don't, it won't hurt anything, but if you find there's a duplication on MARS after a couple of weeks you could email them to sort it out.

You can do the station license stuff without having done the course and operator's certificate.

Pete

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Strictly speaking, the license is issued to a person rather than the boat - it's permission from the government to install a radio, and you can't give a lump of GRP permission to do something.
Pete

I'm not sure how that works. I was under the impression that the rules were international. I say this because when I sold my Westerly, the Callsign and the MMSI were carried on to the new owner "because that belongs to the ship's station and not to you" (i.e., 'me). Then, when I registered my Centurion under the Malta Flag (she was previously under the Italian ensign) they issued a new 9HB callsign. What I am trying to say is that, as long as the vessel remains on the same register, the callsign of the ship's station is retained as its identity' for purposes of telecommunication.

Of course, I might be wrong.

 

[prv]

What I am trying to say is that, as long as the vessel remains on the same register, the callsign of the ship's station is retained as its identity' for purposes of telecommunication.

The callsign stays with the boat, but the license is issued to you. You are listed as the Licensee, and the actual text of the license says "This License, granted by the Office of Communications (Ofcom), authorises the Licensee to establish, install and use radio transmitting and receiving equipment as indicated ... blah blah blah". If you sell the boat, someone else has to take out a new license to give them permission to [blah blah blah] - although the callsign and MMSI of the boat will remain the same.

It's perhaps a pedantic point, but understanding that the license is not the same thing as the callsign (and more importantly these days, the MMSI) helps understand how Ofcom's processes work.

Pete

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

OK. Thanks.

 

[dylanwinter]

fit one

If I were doing ktl again a radio licence is one of things I would have saved myself £100 on and not bothered with

I hardly ever use the radio

used it for dover, thames barrier and Humber control

the mobile is better for talking to harbour masters

no-one ever asks to see your bits of paper

the rnli are unlikely to ask tosee your radio licence

D

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

If I were doing ktl again a radio licence is one of things I would have saved myself £100 on and not bothered with

I hardly ever use the radio

used it for dover, thames barrier and Humber control

the mobile is better for talking to harbour masters

no-one ever asks to see your bits of paper

the rnli are unlikely to ask tosee your radio licence

D

Dylan, I'm sure in the course of your extensive voyaging you have noticed that phone coverage is universal, but can usually be relied upon in the approaches to a port/marina, but I, for one, would not even think of using the phone in a Mayday situation, particularly in a situation where other nearby boats would be in a position to help. You would not be faulted for using a non-licensed radio in such circumstances, and it certainly makes no odds to the RNLI as their only concern is saving lives. If you venture across the English Channel, you might find that the Gendarmerie Marine would take a dim view of the lack of any "bits of paper".

 

[dylanwinter]

Dylan, I'm sure in the course of your extensive voyaging you have noticed that phone coverage is universal, but can usually be relied upon in the approaches to a port/marina, but I, for one, would not even think of using the phone in a Mayday situation, particularly in a situation where other nearby boats would be in a position to help. You would not be faulted for using a non-licensed radio in such circumstances, and it certainly makes no odds to the RNLI as their only concern is saving lives. If you venture across the English Channel, you might find that the Gendarmerie Marine would take a dim view of the lack of any "bits of paper".

god bless Britain

D

 

[duncan99210]

And of course, if you apply online, the licence is free.....

 

[Dockhead]

Dylan, I'm sure in the course of your extensive voyaging you have noticed that phone coverage is universal, but can usually be relied upon in the approaches to a port/marina, but I, for one, would not even think of using the phone in a Mayday situation, particularly in a situation where other nearby boats would be in a position to help. You would not be faulted for using a non-licensed radio in such circumstances, and it certainly makes no odds to the RNLI as their only concern is saving lives. If you venture across the English Channel, you might find that the Gendarmerie Marine would take a dim view of the lack of any "bits of paper".

Indeed. Plus, the licence is now free. No conceivable reason in the world not to do it.

Besides that -- the licence gets you into the ITU database. Even if no one actually asks for the bits of paper, doesn't mean you don't get looked up in the database. And in case of a distress situation where you set off a DSC alert or an EPIRB, the database will also be consulted. I doubt that it will do anything to accelerate your rescue, if the CG can't find your MMSI in the database.

 

[jerrytug]

god bless Britain

D

Even if you stay this side of the channel, there are 1000's of mariners,including me and everybody I've ever met, and others, who would take a "dim view" of the overweening pigheadedness and stubborn donkey ignorance of anybody who puts to sea in a small craft, deliberately refusing to take a simple lesson on how to use the best aid to small craft safety ever invented.
Let alone implying that the free registration of the equipment, for eveyone's benefit, is some sort of infringement of liberty.
What is so incredibly difficult about it all, I don't get it.

 

[Bru]

Wot Jerrytug said, basically

 

[ShinyShoe]

If I were doing ktl again a radio licence is one of things I would have saved myself £100 on and not bothered with

I assume that refers to the certificate of competence for operating it rather than the actual ship radio licence which is free online and I'm sure cheaper than that for via post.

I hardly ever use the radio

used it for dover, thames barrier and Humber control

the mobile is better for talking to harbour masters

One of the issues with VHF is you don't use it that much depending what you do with your sailing. So when the brown stuff hits the spinny thing you need to have confidence to use it right. There needs to be no doubt in your mind if you should be hitting the red button, how long for etc, when there is 6inches of water below your feet. The fear that you don't have your bit of paper would be a concern...

You don't need a competence certificate in an emergency.

the rnli are unlikely to ask tosee your radio licence

D

True but if you make an ass of yourself the coastguard may ask when lecturing you about making sure your flares are in date etc when the RNLI drop you off. Not that they are likely to prosecute you.

The course does cover some things that you wouldn't immediately realise - handling of mayday relay on Class D DSC kit for instance...