ATIS requirement on European waterways (RAINWAT)?

Lomax

Lomax

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A bit red-faced, I have only just found out about the RAINWAT agreement, and the (apparent) requirement to have a VHF radio which supports ATIS (Automatic Transmitter Identification System) when travelling on the European waterways. I have a (cherished) Sailor RT4822 VHF which supports DSC - but although this radio is available in an ATIS supporting version, that is not the one I have (I have a "US" indicator below the display, instead of the "BI" indicator present on ATIS enabled sets). Since I plan to make a trip on the European canals next year, will I need to include a new VHF set in my plans - or is it possible to have my 4822 modified to enable this functionality? Loss of US channels would be of no consequence to me...
 
As a Uk user I have a letter from the Uk licence authorities explaining that UK is not part of the Basel arrangement.
The UK has agreed with RAINWAT states that UK vessels can use its MMSI prefixed with a "9" as an ATIS identifier
We are therefore required to have the MMSI re programmed. However, as I do not use my MMSI system in sending VHF it is largely irrelevant & I have not had my MMSI altered as I have to have the radio re programmed
Ofcom has, however, notified the RAINWAT states of my new No.
The letter does state that not all states will accept this but to date i have not had an issue. A request to Ofcom may be all you need & the letter will explain properly
You cannot use ATIS equipment near coast of Uk or Isle of Man or Channel Islands

The letter concerned is titled " Automatic Transmitter IdentificationSystem NoV Request"
& comes from Ofcom licencing Centre PO Box 56373, London, SE1 9SZ

You can tell when ATIS is in use as a short "hiss" follows any VHF transmission which is the details of the transmitting station being passed on for trace purposes
 
Thank you! I know ATIS is not allowed in the UK (hey regulators, why not pick a standard and stick to it?), but the Sailor set I have would allow you to switch ATIS on and off very easily. From the RT4822 user manual:
When BI mode is selected, the yellow BI indicator lamp is lit.
Otherwise, the radio is in international mode.
When BI mode is selected, ATIS is activated automatically.
Click to expand...
The problem I have is that my set has a "US" mode instead of the "BI" mode, which is completely useless to me. My hope is that it can be reprogrammed with the "BI" enabled firmware...
 
On a DSC radio the ATIS function can (usually) be switched on and off .
Not sure why its technically illegal in the Uk as presumably no one has the receiving equipment.
 
When I went to the Netherlands last year I just went on the Ofcom website to change my ship's radio license to allow me to use ATIS outside UK waters (and it tells you the number to use) , and fortunately my Standard Horizon VHF radio just has a menu option to choose ATIS. Unfortunately it did not have the option to use Ch 31 used by many Dutch marinas.

Am I right in thinking hand held marine VHF radios do not have ATIS capability? If they did and your mail radio did not maybe that is an option? Maybe buy one in the Netherlands it might have ch 31 (but then it probably will not have 80 for when back in the UK).
 
Maybe it is illegal in the UK as it makes an annoying burst of noise after every transmission on any non ATIS radio? In the inland waterways of Europe locks have it linked to a data base to tell them how big your ship is when you call them and ask to go in the lock. AIS would do that much better as it says where you are, how big you are, as well as who you are.
 
Thanks guys. I second that AIS is a much better system, and making that mandatory would have made a hell of a lot more sense. Also do not understand why UK is not party to the RAINWAT agreement - the fragmentation makes no sense, especially considering the amount of shipping between us. It seems to me just having a mobile phone is far better than a VHF, what with all the hassle, cost, and red tape. It feels like they're trying to make you a criminal just for trying to do the right thing. If the regulators want to encourage boat owners to have a VHF on board, then, well, they should encourage it, and not make it a hellish nightmare.
 
Well we don't have that many inland waterways for commercial shipping. Manchester Ship Canal, Caledonian Canal, that's about it I think? So it is not surprising we are not part of RAINWAT Regional Arrangement Concerning the Radiotelephone Service on Inland Waterways.. just inland. You need to turn of ATIS at sea.

In inland and coastal Europe a phone is useful as many marinas (non I found in Denmark) have VHF. In some countries you need VHF to call bridges and locks. On the other hand in Denmark it seems you can signal your desire for a bridge to open with an international signal flag N!

Ofcom's business is policing the radio spectrum not encouraging good seamanship. I think it is the IMO and ITU that promote good ideas like AIS, and not quite so good ideas like DSC, and in the UK down to MCA (CG, RYA etc) to promote beset practice, like not going to sea without a working DSC equipped VHF RT.

Lomax said:
Thanks guys. I second that AIS is a much better system, and making that mandatory would have made a hell of a lot more sense. Also do not understand why UK is not party to the RAINWAT agreement - the fragmentation makes no sense, especially considering the amount of shipping between us. It seems to me just having a mobile phone is far better than a VHF, what with all the hassle, cost, and red tape. It feels like they're trying to make you a criminal just for trying to do the right thing. If the regulators want to encourage boat owners to have a VHF on board, then, well, they should encourage it, and not make it a hellish nightmare.
Click to expand...
 
From http://www.mby.com/motor-boat-news-boat-reviews-pictures-and-videos/archive/atis-the-facts-28264
Boaters we spoke to in Europe said they got around the issue of ATIS by not using VHF inland at all but by using their mobile phones to ring ahead to locks. However, while the BIPT said it might be acceptable to use mobiles in some situations, if you have a VHF fitted on board this does not absolve you of responsibility. The BIPT said, “Each boat equipped with a portable or fixed VHF radio must be equipped with ATIS, even if it is not working when it is checked. This is both valid on the Belgian inland waterways and in every country that signed the Basel Arrangement.”
Click to expand...
 
I just read somewhere that AIS (class A) is also required, for boats over 20M. This is regardless of if they are leisure or professional.
 
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