Interesting conversation Ofcom

claymore

claymore

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 Jun 2001
Messages
10,654
Location
In the far North
Visit site
I was mindlessly going about my business at Kilmelford when I spotted a stranger with a large camera taking pictures of boats. I asked him what was his business and he explained that he was from Ofcom and was conducting a survey to work out how many boats didn't have licences displayed. If it was just a few and they could manage it, they were going to have a purge. If there were lots and it was considered there were too many for them to get round with their limited resources, they weren't going to bother.
 
Don't you think he was at the ham (pulling your leg)? I mean what was he photographing boat names, licences in windows (opps - wrong side!) Had he been to Ardfern or Croabh?; sight easier I'd say.
 
That raises a point.

The instructions say that the licence must be displayed on the starboard side.

Well, I tried. My boat has six opening ports in the coachroof. The square licence holder fits none of them. So I stuck it on the starboard leaf of the skylight, but I usually have a cover over that. Am I breaking the law?
 
Why bother taking pix of boats you're gonna nick, when you could just nickem instead?

Sounds a bit like a traffic warden sending a bloke down the street to check out the number of offenders, before he decides whether or not to walk along there and givem tickets.

Maybe more likely (if it's not a wind up) OFCOM is surveying how many boats are licensed b4 deciding whether to drop the system entirely. After all, collection, admin and enforcement costs can barely (if at all) be covered by revenues.
 
You are right; should be port side.

Just checked. And there is a remark about "Where it is physically practical to do so".
 
Re: That raises a point.

[ QUOTE ]
The instructions say that the licence must be displayed on the starboard side.

[/ QUOTE ]When did it change? I have always displayed mine on the port side window as per the instructions. Let me see, back towards the blunt end, facing forward towards the pointy end and port is to left and starboard is to the right - I think, or have I got it wrong again. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Seriously though, when did they change the rules?
----------
hammer.thumb.gif
“Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity”
Skype id:cliffillupo
 
Re: That raises a point.

Ours is on the port side too - just replaced the old one .... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Re: That raises a point.

I'm pleased you said that, mine has always been on the port side and I'm sure I put it there because it said to do so in the instructions.
 
Re: That raises a point.

Ours is on the port side, as it was when we bought the boat. Given that we moor port side to the pontoon, it seems the most sensible. If Ofcom want it to be to starboard, they would have to climb on my neighbours boat to see it.

Seems to be a classic case for letting common sense prevail. Personally I have far more important things to worry about !!
 
Re: That raises a point.

I can see a very good reason for having it in a specific place. I have to check licences for the dinghy park on an annual basis, and when the plaque is placed in an odd location it takes ages to find it. If they actually put it in one of the prescribed locations it would take 1/2 the time to check. A couple of boats have actually been impounded where the plaque has not been visible (inside the boat with a cover on....). So detailing port or starboard side is sensible from that point of view.
 
Re: That raises a point.

There was an Ofcom bloke up at the Folly, first week of Cowes, he arrived on a big expensive MCA RIB, I could see what he was up to so when he got to us I just said to him, "you must be here about my expired radio licence then"? He was a bit taken aback, finding a willling victim. He handed down his sentance, "get it renewed within a month, we will check"!

So here I am now a marked man, looking over my shoulder, looking out for that big orange MCA RIB!
 
Re: That raises a point.

Paragraph 4 of Schedule1 states'Where it is physically practicable to do so theShip Radio Licence Disc shall be displayed in a prominent position on the port side of the vessel indicated in the Licence Document to show possession of a current Licence'
Most of us have got it right.Hooray.
 
Muddle up port and starboard for a moment and six people point it out!

I said that, and quoted the phrase, three hours ago! Six people not only don't read threads before posting, they dont even read the titles!
 
Re: Muddle up port and starboard for a moment and six people point it out!

in fairness I missed your reference in the title too - reading in flat mode they just don't 'jump out' and so few do anything but 'reply' with the same heading!
 
Reading in flat mode

Thanks; that explains a good deal.

I just mentally looked up inside the saloon of my boat when first posting, and forgot that I was mentally facing aft!

Anyway, the point I was trying to make was that you cant stick the sticker anywhere unless you have big windows, which old boats dont generally have.

So, I reckon its "physically impractical"! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Re: Reading in flat mode

Mirelle,I did not mean to upset you,please accept my apologies.My verbatim words were extracted from the Terms Booklet Of36 simply as a matter of record.
I always admire your craft when I pass it on it's mooring as I am based in Woodbridge.
 
I was in Saundersfoot Harbour several years ago,stopping off on the way to the Tall Ships Race in Milford. a team of people launched a rib went round and put a reminder/warning notice on every boat in the harbour then recovered the rib and left.

if perhaps half a dozen people bought a license as a result the revenue would barely cover the cost of the fuel used . /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I think this is the real reason for Ofcom considering scrapping the license renewals.The whole exercise is an uneconomical paper chase.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top