Ofcom consultation on Marine licensing

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st599

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Some interesting ideas being put forwards:

  1. Finally updating licensing for VDES,
  2. Digital channels for voice Comms,
  3. Splitting some channels in to half bandwidth channels to increase the number available,
  4. Moving a number of devices from AIS channels

I think the final item will obsolete a number of MOB devices. Will be interesting to see what happens with the others - could require quite a few firmware updates to be rolled out.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets...sals-to-update-maritime-spectrum-licences.pdf
 
I bought two Ocean Signal MOB1s a couple of years ago but recently contacted them when I learned of their premature obsolescence after I saw this on their website:

rescueME MOB1

NOTE: ECC/DEC/(22)02, also known as the AIS Class M regulation, has been implemented by a number of European countries. The significance of implementation of this regulation for existing MOB1 owners is that MOB1 beacons may no longer be used in countries that have implemented the new regulation. Click here to access a list of European countries showing where ECC/DEC/(22)02 has been implemented. It is important to note that restriction of use of the MOB1 in specific European countries is not a result of any product defects, it is instead a direct result of changes to regulations initiated by an independent regulatory body.

I also asked them if they offered a trade in/upgrade service. This was their reply:

The new Class-M regulation (ECC/DEC/(22)02)

To be clear, as the manufacturer of the products, we strongly encourage and advise customers to remain compliant with all regulations within the waters they are sailing in. In order to be Class-M compliant, we do recommend customers upgrade to our new compliant MOB2.

However, we do like to remind customers of applicable SOLAS rulings. Regardless of the Class-M Regulation; any device used in an emergency sea rescue has the right to be deployed, and no restrictions should prevent its use in these situations.

Therefore, if the MOB1 is activated during a rescue, it is allowed to be used.

This is according to the International Maritime Organisation’s International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974 as amended, (Chapter IV, Regulation 1, Clause 3): “No provision in this chapter shall prevent the use by any ship, survival craft or person in distress, of any means at their disposal to attract attention, make known their position and obtain help.”

Therefore, whilst restrictions and penalties may be applied to beacon owners who are planning on using the MOB1 in an emergency, if the MOB1 is actually used in an emergency, no penalties will be applied for using the device.

Fines and penalties may be implemented by some authorities, for users who are carrying and planning on using the MOB1 within their safety equipment. For clarification, we recommend contacting these organisations directly.

Essentially, while penalties may be applied to beacon owners who are planning on using the MOB1 in an emergency, if the MOB1 is actually used in an emergency, no penalties will be applied for using the device.

We do not offer a scheme for returning the MOB1 in exchange for the MOB2 – we are sorry for the inconvenience this causes.

So, a bit like using a VHF without a licence. It's illegal except in an emergency.
 
The Ofcom doc says: From this point any use of the equipment would be
unauthorised, and subject to potential enforcement action.
 
Has anyone listened on the VHF - the channels are hardly crowded out, so not sure why we need a whole load more. Also digital is not always the answer. If there is a problem help by any means is required and old fashioned VHF analogue simply works !

Separation of AIS to show Leisure separate to Commercial, especially large Commercial makes huge sense.

IMHO
 
superheat6k said:
Has anyone listened on the VHF - the channels are hardly crowded out, so not sure why we need a whole load more. Also digital is not always the answer. If there is a problem help by any means is required and old fashioned VHF analogue simply works !

Separation of AIS to show Leisure separate to Commercial, especially large Commercial makes huge sense.

IMHO
Click to expand...
By moving to digital channels, it enables things like automatic chart updates, NTM overlay, but the biggest bonus for leisure sailors is that Benelux and Germany have already changed to this channel plan, so it allows UK users to travel more easily.
 
st599 said:
Some interesting ideas being put forwards:

  1. Finally updating licensing for VDES,
  2. Digital channels for voice Comms,
  3. Splitting some channels in to half bandwidth channels to increase the number available,
  4. Moving a number of devices from AIS channels

I think the final item will obsolete a number of MOB devices. Will be interesting to see what happens with the others - could require quite a few firmware updates to be rolled out.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets...sals-to-update-maritime-spectrum-licences.pdf
Click to expand...

The list seems to be more to do with marine broadcast than just licensing.

Point 2) is definitely needed for future. To get rid of the cumbersome (and practically unused) hybrid DSC system we have now. Also to allow multiple private ship to ship Comms.

What should also be added to the list is some form of networking, to allow recept and forwarding via other stations (maybe just via commercial vessels) to increase range, at a minimum for AIS signals if the bandwidth does not allow this for voice.
 
Hopefully VDES won’t require a new VHF licence like DSC did. The cost now is obscene.
I’m generally in favour of the change, although it’s a concern if OFCOM have thoughts outside of what others have done. Would be better to just adopt a standard.

Every MOB device we’ve seen activated has been on land, and we’ve seen a HUGE number activated outside of specified test times. I no longer accept the alerts I just cancel them.
 
potentillaCO32 said:
Does this mean I will have to replace my brand new dsc VHF.?
Click to expand...
It will probably be updated to whatever new band plan comes out.

Benelux and Germany are using digital data channels to coordinate major estuaries like the Rhine delta. They've moved marinas and yacht clubs to a couple of unused analogue channels (which is a problem as 31, the main one used, is RNLI only in the UK and requires an addition to your licence). They're also using a digital ID on an analogue voice channel to automate some processes such as bridge lifts (again, not legal in the UK, so needs a second licence variation).

What you probably won't get is any of the digital data or voice services.

The 2 annoying parts though are that this was decided in 2019 with an implementation date of 2030 and Ofcom waited 7 years to consult and the document assumes a replacement schedule of 5 years.
 
st599 said:
They've moved marinas and yacht clubs to a couple of unused analogue channels (which is a problem as 31, the main one used, is RNLI only in the UK and requires an addition to your licence).
Click to expand...
Yes, and no. Channel 31 as used in some continental waters as a duplex ch 31 whereas the UK RNLI ch31 is a simplex channel so only uses one of the two frequencies for both send and receive.
 
lustyd said:
This is all essentially software so if you bought it from a competent company with good support it should be fine.
Click to expand...
But lots of stuff from the major players (Raymarine, B&G etc) they only provide software updates for things less than around 5 years old. After that they consider “functionally stabilised” and no more new versions.
Many/most of us have perfectly good installed VHF which are a decade or two old. Getting software updates may not be likely?
 
wonkywinch said:
So, a bit like using a VHF without a licence. It's illegal except in an emergency.
Click to expand...
Indeed. And since you would ONLY use one of these in an emergency, there's nothing to worry about in my opinion. It's perfectly legal to use whatever radio device in a genuine emergency, in any way which helps you resolve the emergency.

I have 3x MOB1's and was likewise incensed when I found out they were obsoleted -- weeks after I bought them. I calmed down a bit when I had time to think about it.

Also, and an important point -- non-compliant devices can still be used through 2030, according to the latest Ofcom proposals.

The only difference that I can tell from MOB1 to MOB2 is that MOB2 can RECEIVE DSC acknowledgements. And, they are programmed so that they in all cases send an All Ships DSC alert (the previous regulations PROHIBITED that; you could only send to the mother ship's MMSI).

I already programmed my MOB1's to send All Ships DSC -- you can do that in the programming, since it's always been legal in many countries. So the difference is really trivial in my view.
 
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