How do i find out the call sign of my 2nd hand boat

[Adetheheat]

How do I find out the call sign of the boat I'm about to buy ? I mean the one you might use in a mayday call - ie MN7Q4F.
The current owner doesn't seem to know. It's a pleasure craft.

 

[trevbouy]

Do you know the MMSI ? Try this site and put in the information you actually know. I don't know if it will help you. There should have been a radio certificate with the boat papers.
ITU Check

 

[[70521]]

Is there a MMSI number when the radio starts?

Does the current owner have a Ships Licence? It will be on that.

IF you are buying the boat you will need to get a Ships Licence in your name.

Ships' radio and ship portable radio

 

[Adetheheat]

Ok its got a Builders Certificate and a Bill of Sale. Would they be useful to worknout the call sign?

 

[[70521]]

No. You get your Ships Licence from OfCom

 

[Boathook]

Ok its got a Builders Certificate and a Bill of Sale. Would they be useful to worknout the call sign?

If your boat isn't on the ITU site as posted by trevbouy in post 2 it more than likely hasn't been issued with a licence. You will have to apply for a ships licence and get your self on a VHF course if you don't personally have an operators licence.

 

[Refueler]

How do I find out the call sign of the boat I'm about to buy ? I mean the one you might use in a mayday call - ie MN7Q4F.
The current owner doesn't seem to know. It's a pleasure craft.

Not every boat has a Call Sign. There are quite a few people who just buy a VHF radio - fit it and never register it for Call Sign and / or MMSI. They gaily sail along unlicenced and happy.

If a Call Sign has been issued - then post #2 has the ITU link ...... which is supposed to have all registered Comms details listed ... mmmmmm not always !! I had to 'prod' authorities to pass on data to ITU for my boat.

 

[Bilgediver]

Ok its got a Builders Certificate and a Bill of Sale. Would they be useful to worknout the call sign?

They could be. You require at least one of the following to start on the search as per the previous posting

Vessels Name

MMSI Number. This may be programmed into the VHF This is the most likely so get the manual out and see how to bring it up on the screen

The Official Number. This may be on a plaque in the boat ad is a six digit number

Call sign. This could be on documentation

Epirb Hex NO. If the boat came with a previously registered EPIRB then this number will be on a label.

 

[Adetheheat]

Thanks everyone

 

[dunedin]

No. You get your Ships Licence from OfCom

Just to clear about terminology here, for the poor poster, I assume you are referring to the Ships RADIO Licence, in this respect.

As the OP is also talking about Bill of Sale etc, would not want to get muddled up,with Ship REGISTRATION - which is a separate thing, though likely to be useful (whether Part 3 Small Ships Register or the more onerous Part 1).

To be honest, I personally wouldn’t agonise about a call sign. Can easily get a new one - and I have never used a Call Sign in 25 years of cruising. More important is the radio MMSI, if the boat has a DSC radio and/or AIS transmitter. Keeping the same MMSI can save a lot of hassle and cost as generally cannot be amended without supplier assistance / expense (or an internet hack with some makes)

 

[Refueler]

Keeping the same MMSI can save a lot of hassle and cost as generally cannot be amended without supplier assistance / expense (or an internet hack with some makes)

Call sign and MMSI - when either or both issued - stay with the boat regardless of sale / owner - EXCEPT when Registry Flag is changed. That is ie like I did going from UK Flag on the boat to Latvian. Latvian VAS informed ITU of issue of new details etc.

 

[Adetheheat]

So dunedin how would I get a new call sign assuming the seller can't find it?

 

[PaulRainbow]

So dunedin how would I get a new call sign assuming the seller can't find it?

See post #3

It's important to check if the current VHF has an MMSI number, if it has you will need to enter that on the licence registration. If not, apply for a new licence in your name, stating that the boat has not had one previously.

 

[Adetheheat]

Thsnks everyone this has been very helpful

 

[Biggles Wader]

What does the ITU check (see post 2) come up with? Assume it's a pleasure boat and is UK based just fill those details in and the boat name and you should get a result with the call sign, the mmsi if it has one and the name of the boat owner.