ebbtide
N/A
I make no apology for reprinting this from the March RYA mag cos it's quite clear that many readers don't rate the RYA!
But seriously, could someone tell me what this is all about?
And do I have to upgrade my VHF radio yet again?
Answers on a postcard . . . well on here then.
[ QUOTE ]
Unless you happen to have travelled recently on European Inland waterways, the term ATIS probably has very little meaning to you. Unless, that is, you are some kind of VHF enthusiast, and doubtless there are a few out there.
Prepare, however, to become more familiar with the term over the next few months. It stands for Automatic Transmission Identification System and basically means that whenever you transmit on an ATIS VHF, your set automatically transmits an ATIS number which can be used to identify you and your vessel so that if you are causing interference you can be traced.
Now, this is all very interesting, I hear you say, but what has it got to do with me? Well, if you're thinking of heading onto some of the inland waterways of Europe this summer, quite a lot.
You see, a number of European countries are signatories to an agreement known as RAINWAT which apparently stands for the Regional Arrangement concerning Radiotelephone Service on Inland Waterways. In my book that's RASOIWAT, but never mind.
The countries signed up to RAINWAT have now agreed that the use of ATIS will be mandatory on their inland waterways and there should no longer be any derogation for vessels that are visiting from those countries that are not signed up to the RAINWAT agreement.
To this end, the RYA has learnt that OfCom has worked out a procedure for issuing an ATIS number and is proposing to sign the UK up to this agreement in due course. However, it is not intending to implement the use of ATIS on UK inland waterways.
This will mean that you will now need to carry a ATIS VHF set when you are on the inland waterways of the RAINWAT (that's enough RAINWAT, ed) countries.
From a cruising perspective, the main countries are: France, Germany, Holland and Belgium. From the RYA's point of view, there is a problem:
The UK Ship Radio Licence as issued does not cover ATIS apparatus. Any equipment used under the normal UK Ship Radio Licence must comply with some sort of standard and for ATIS apparatus OfCom has yet to develop an Interface Requirement (performance standard).
Until this is resolved, OfCom has developed interim measures that will allow owners of UK registered vessels to comply with the RAINWAT requirements. OfCom has told us that it can vary individual Ship Radio Licences to include ATIS equipment. OfCom must also supply details of the vessel to the Belgian regulator, BIPT, which oversees the ATIS database.
Each Notice of Variation to a UK Ship Radio Licence must be manually issued; therefore it can take a few days to process requests. This turnaround time will of course increase if OfCom get a lot of requests.
Automating the process, while preferable, will take time because it will entail changes to the OfCom licensing system. For the time being, however, OfCom must rely on the manual system and applicants should allow a month for the BIPT ATIS database to reflect updates that are sent to it.
The RYA has contacted OfCom and asked them what they need to do to ensure they are in line with the new requirements. Here are some pointers:
How to licence an ATIS set
The process for licensing ATIS sets through OfCom is as follows:
1. The licensee must apply online for an MMSI.
Note: This means that they will need a DSC VHF set. Ofcom is aware that some ATIS sets are not DSC capable.
2. The licensee must then request OfCom to vary the Ship Radio Licence and to supply an ATIS number.
Note: The request can be by e-mail but must come from the licensee. Under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, the licensee must request Ofcom to vary the licence. To process the request, OfCom also need the licence number, vessel name (as on the licence), the call sign and the MMSI.
3. When requesting OfCom to vary the licence, the licensee must authorise Ofcom to disclose licence details to BIPT for the purposes of safety and ATIS administration, including making the details available to RAINWAT member states.
Note: This is a data protection requirement. OfCom must be able to notify BIPT. If it cannot do so, it cannot vary the licence.
4. OfCom shall then allocate an ATIS number and prepare the (Notice of Variation). OfCom shall send this out with a covering letter.
5. OfCom shall notify BIPT of the vessel details.
Note: The arrangement requires OfCom to send the vessel name, call sign, ATIS code and MMSI number.
6. The licensee must print a copy of the Basel Arrangement from http://www.rainwat.bipt.be and keep it and the Notice of Variation with the ship radio licence documents.
7. The licensee must familiarise himself or herself with the provisions of the Basel Arrangement and note the arrangements for vessels from non-RAINWAT states at http://www.rainwat.bipt.be/outsiderainwat.html.
8. When overseas, the licensee will be under the jurisdiction of the authorities in that country.[ QUOTE ]
Phew! Advice please.
But seriously, could someone tell me what this is all about?
And do I have to upgrade my VHF radio yet again?
Answers on a postcard . . . well on here then.
[ QUOTE ]
Unless you happen to have travelled recently on European Inland waterways, the term ATIS probably has very little meaning to you. Unless, that is, you are some kind of VHF enthusiast, and doubtless there are a few out there.
Prepare, however, to become more familiar with the term over the next few months. It stands for Automatic Transmission Identification System and basically means that whenever you transmit on an ATIS VHF, your set automatically transmits an ATIS number which can be used to identify you and your vessel so that if you are causing interference you can be traced.
Now, this is all very interesting, I hear you say, but what has it got to do with me? Well, if you're thinking of heading onto some of the inland waterways of Europe this summer, quite a lot.
You see, a number of European countries are signatories to an agreement known as RAINWAT which apparently stands for the Regional Arrangement concerning Radiotelephone Service on Inland Waterways. In my book that's RASOIWAT, but never mind.
The countries signed up to RAINWAT have now agreed that the use of ATIS will be mandatory on their inland waterways and there should no longer be any derogation for vessels that are visiting from those countries that are not signed up to the RAINWAT agreement.
To this end, the RYA has learnt that OfCom has worked out a procedure for issuing an ATIS number and is proposing to sign the UK up to this agreement in due course. However, it is not intending to implement the use of ATIS on UK inland waterways.
This will mean that you will now need to carry a ATIS VHF set when you are on the inland waterways of the RAINWAT (that's enough RAINWAT, ed) countries.
From a cruising perspective, the main countries are: France, Germany, Holland and Belgium. From the RYA's point of view, there is a problem:
The UK Ship Radio Licence as issued does not cover ATIS apparatus. Any equipment used under the normal UK Ship Radio Licence must comply with some sort of standard and for ATIS apparatus OfCom has yet to develop an Interface Requirement (performance standard).
Until this is resolved, OfCom has developed interim measures that will allow owners of UK registered vessels to comply with the RAINWAT requirements. OfCom has told us that it can vary individual Ship Radio Licences to include ATIS equipment. OfCom must also supply details of the vessel to the Belgian regulator, BIPT, which oversees the ATIS database.
Each Notice of Variation to a UK Ship Radio Licence must be manually issued; therefore it can take a few days to process requests. This turnaround time will of course increase if OfCom get a lot of requests.
Automating the process, while preferable, will take time because it will entail changes to the OfCom licensing system. For the time being, however, OfCom must rely on the manual system and applicants should allow a month for the BIPT ATIS database to reflect updates that are sent to it.
The RYA has contacted OfCom and asked them what they need to do to ensure they are in line with the new requirements. Here are some pointers:
How to licence an ATIS set
The process for licensing ATIS sets through OfCom is as follows:
1. The licensee must apply online for an MMSI.
Note: This means that they will need a DSC VHF set. Ofcom is aware that some ATIS sets are not DSC capable.
2. The licensee must then request OfCom to vary the Ship Radio Licence and to supply an ATIS number.
Note: The request can be by e-mail but must come from the licensee. Under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, the licensee must request Ofcom to vary the licence. To process the request, OfCom also need the licence number, vessel name (as on the licence), the call sign and the MMSI.
3. When requesting OfCom to vary the licence, the licensee must authorise Ofcom to disclose licence details to BIPT for the purposes of safety and ATIS administration, including making the details available to RAINWAT member states.
Note: This is a data protection requirement. OfCom must be able to notify BIPT. If it cannot do so, it cannot vary the licence.
4. OfCom shall then allocate an ATIS number and prepare the (Notice of Variation). OfCom shall send this out with a covering letter.
5. OfCom shall notify BIPT of the vessel details.
Note: The arrangement requires OfCom to send the vessel name, call sign, ATIS code and MMSI number.
6. The licensee must print a copy of the Basel Arrangement from http://www.rainwat.bipt.be and keep it and the Notice of Variation with the ship radio licence documents.
7. The licensee must familiarise himself or herself with the provisions of the Basel Arrangement and note the arrangements for vessels from non-RAINWAT states at http://www.rainwat.bipt.be/outsiderainwat.html.
8. When overseas, the licensee will be under the jurisdiction of the authorities in that country.[ QUOTE ]
Phew! Advice please.
