boat use without a vhf license?

To the OP: You say you are in the Scottish Highlands but don't specify which coast. Either side there is relatively little radio traffic (compared with where many forumites sail), and I cannot remember when I last pressed the transmit button. It is useful bit of kit for receiving the Coastguard Maritime Safety Information Broadcasts (mainly weather forecasts, but gunnery range and submarine exercise information as well) which are made every three hours: Stornoway Coastguard transmit at 07.10, 10.10, 13.10 etc. Aberdeeen at 0730, 1030 etc. The broadcasts are preceded by an announcement on channel 16 advising you to re-tune to another channel - if you can hear more than one re-tune announcement go to the channel that offers the best reception (and don't forget to go back to channel 16 afterwards).
 
symondo said:
Its the operators certificate im short of
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From what I gather your "ship" has a license for the radio installation but you lack an oerators license. That being the case got on with your wee pottle about the bay / loch - the "ship" is licensed and in an emergency anyone can use the vhf even w/o an operator's license. Do the course and exam over the winter - one day in most places - £60~£70 last time I looked for a SRC. Provided oyu do not hog the airwaves with idle chit chat no one will bother - leave it on and listen to other users - acquire (beg, steal or borrow) copy of the RYA book for the SRC lots of good information there. Main thing is to come across clear on the radio and follow protocol as close as you can - even pro radio operators drop a few now and again.
 
when i was fishing in portsmouth some of the fishing boats had illegal tank radios fitted----there was of lot of mickey mouse calling donald duck traffic-----the authourities must have known where the calls were coming from but they never came to investigate----------regards lenten
 
The whole concept of radio licensing comes from international agreement. I must say thse agreements and rules don't really keep up with reality of cheap radios. But anyway by agreement all radio stations must be licenced and all operators must be licenced. The reason being to control the importyant parts of the radio facility. ie safety and other critical transmissions. Nowe here in Oz the radio station licence requirement was circumvented for marine VHF by the government issueing a "class" licence. It means that all pleasure boats operate under one station licence. However you still need an operators certicicate. This is maintained to try to keep some order and regularity to transmissions so keeping the safety aspects clear of garbage. I must say that in Oz there is not much fear of being fined for not having an operators certificate provided you do not do anything stupid.
All this then is contrast to government regulations (in west oz) requiring any boat going more than 3nm from shore to carry a marine 2 way radio. (I must say that i agree with this requirement). A great safety net especially if we can get people to register their voyage with the sea rescue people before depature and log off on return.
olewill
 
The regulations for the RYA Marine Radio Operators course changed in January. You must now do 10 hours training, although 3 hours can be self-study. As someone posted earlier it's possible to do the course online. Look on the RYA website www.rya.org.uk for training centres that offer the online course. You download it and you'll need speakers and mike. It comes with a course book.

Once you complete the course you print off a certificate and you can then apply to sit the exam. This may be the difficult bit for you if you're in the Highlands, as it won't be viable for an examiner to travel a long way to test just you. You may have to go to the Clyde or somewhere.

It's well worth doing the course. You'll learn how to operate the radio properly and with confidence. It also covers GMDSS and includes things like EPIRBS, Navtex etc. so you'll be more knowledgable generally.
 
Melody said:
The regulations for the RYA Marine Radio Operators course changed in January. You must now do 10 hours training, although 3 hours can be self-study. As someone posted earlier it's possible to do the course online. Look on the RYA website www.rya.org.uk for training centres that offer the online course. You download it and you'll need speakers and mike. It comes with a course book.

Once you complete the course you print off a certificate and you can then apply to sit the exam. This may be the difficult bit for you if you're in the Highlands, as it won't be viable for an examiner to travel a long way to test just you. You may have to go to the Clyde or somewhere.

It's well worth doing the course. You'll learn how to operate the radio properly and with confidence. It also covers GMDSS and includes things like EPIRBS, Navtex etc. so you'll be more knowledgable generally.
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Im not sure how to do multiple quotes but answers to the above..

Yes the ship has its license, its the operators certificate im short of.
We are on the West Coast of Scotland 15 miles north of Oban

I can sit the exam and also do the course in oban -(40 miles south) opposed to glasgow. BUT i can either sit the exam after doing the work myself or sit thier 1 day course/exam which i have been advised is a 6 week wait and £180.

Currently I have books on VHF/GMDSS and DSC fro the RYA and also mock exam papers.
 
nigelmercier said:
Link here: http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/ships-radio/faq/759542

Out of interest, what happens if there is an emergency and the certificated person is incapacitated? I've got idiot-proof instructions on how to make a distress call mounted above the radio, I assume that in an emergency that anyone could legally use it?
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Only one person aboard needs to have a VHF operator's licence, and then anyone onboard can use the VHF, under "supervision". As has already been mentioned, anyone can issue a Mayday, regardless of licences. However, you could ask friend/daughter/nephew/etc. who are just visiting for the day to make the call to the marina for you, as long as you're "supervising" them (and you have a licence, ofc).
 
You should enroll for 6 week waiting course and in the meantime use the radio for essential calls only. A vhf is an essential (arguably) safety device and using one illegally and being fined is preferable to sinking. Its only for a few weeks and in the period of use, avoid glaring errors. Roger and out!
 
symondo said:
Im not sure how to do multiple quotes ............
Click to expand...

Click the multiquote icons
multiquote_40b.png
in the order in which you want the quotes to appear in your post.

Then to compile your replies hit the "reply to thread" button, bottom left at the tail end of the thread.
 
symondo said:
Im not sure how to do multiple quotes but answers to the above..

Yes the ship has its license, its the operators certificate im short of.
We are on the West Coast of Scotland 15 miles north of Oban

I can sit the exam and also do the course in oban -(40 miles south) opposed to glasgow. BUT i can either sit the exam after doing the work myself or sit thier 1 day course/exam which i have been advised is a 6 week wait and £180.

Currently I have books on VHF/GMDSS and DSC fro the RYA and also mock exam papers.
Click to expand...

Then don't worry about it. Have the radio on and available to use in an emergency. Get your operators certificate in due course.
 
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