ofcom forms and gross tonnage

[sandeel]

Sorry to have to ask but how is gross tonnage calculated as is required by ofcom for a radio licence. is this the same as thames marine (T.M.) ? I have an old 60's Robert tucker "Mystic" and it is difficult to find any info on this boat.
cheers
john

 

[BrendanS]

"Gross tonnage is the interior volume of a vessel as measured in units of 100 cubic feet. (Each such unit equals a gross ton). Gross tonnage is a measure of all enclosed interior space of a vessel, including all compartments, machinery spaces and most enclosed deckhouses. It has little to do with the actual weight of a vessel."

 

[mainmarine]

I put my Atlanta Viking 8.5 down as 6.5 tons, the plaque on board says registered tonnage 6 and 56/100ths this may give you some idea, she is 8.5 meter long 2.7m beam and 1.1 draught and displacement 3.5 tons

 

[VicS]

As it is a madatory field on the Ofcom form it has to be completed but unless you are Pt 1 registered you will not have a gross tonnage figure to put in Threfore use the displacement or your estimate of that.

I am failrly certain I read this on the Ofcom site somewhere, possibly in the notes for completion of the postal form. It is what I did anyway.

It really is not important but if you are worried you could phone them. Generally folk have found them very helpful on the phone.

It is just info that goes on the ITU Mars database for S&R purposes..... it is just an indication of the size of the vessel....it helps to know if you are searching for a little un or a big un.

 

[BrendanS]

Gross tonnage isn't a displacement, it's a volume. Just calculate the volume of the boat roughly in cubic feet, divide by 100, and job done. It doesn't have to be particularly accurate. Length by beam by depth of hull should be near enough.

 

[VicS]

This is how the question is worded on the postal application form. [ QUOTE ]
What is the vessel’s gross tonnage or if an open boat
the vessel’s approximate weight?
One ton equals 100 cubic feet of total enclosed space
or internal capacity of the vessel.

[/ QUOTE ]
It must have been the bit about an open boat that prompted me to say use the displacement.

I reckon it matters not one jot! I got my licence OK!

 

[BrendanS]

It matters bugger all. most boats of the size we have on the forums could usefully be put into into one gross tonnage category, and seems a silly requirement that is aimed more at commercial vessels. It's a measurement that most pleasure boaters don't understand, for good reason, so the system should be changed to accomodate that?

 

[Guest]

and consider that it gets even worse than just Gross Tonnage ..

GRT
NRT

GRT (Suez)
NRT (Suez)

GRT (Panama)
NRT (Panama)

etc. etc.

you think you have problems with yachts !! Try ships !!

 

[sandeel]

thanks everyone, I was a bit concerned being an official form but as you say it is a bit pointless for such small craft.
regards
john