Ofcom........

It seems a ship's radio licence is valid for life BUT details require confirming every 10 years.

What happens if not confirmed?

Lapses I reckon

Have you looked at the ITU data base to see if you are still on there. If you are it will show the MMSI number.
Link:- Ship Station List

Does your licence include a DSC radio ? If it does then the MMSI number should be shown on the licence. ( but I think these days they issue an MMSI number anyway)

Did you register the details when you applied for a licence when you acquired the boat
 
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Your licence will probably be revoked.
I had a problem with my licence when I added the AIS to the list of fitted equipment. The changes were apparently accepted but a month or so later I had notification my licence was about to be revoked. Their system thought someone else had applied for a licence for the boat! They could not accept that there was an error in their system but after more hassling by me they acknowledged the licence had been in place for many years. The licence was then restored to a version that was at least ten years old.
I know it should be updated but quite honestly I don't want to risk having it revoked again. Their system is a shambles.
 
Vessel not found on Ship Station List.
The problem has only appeared as I have changed my boat's name and I wished to update all the references.
Fortunately, I have not programmed the radio. I have just succeeded in Programming the AIS transponder but that can be changed without restrictions.
Tough for any who have a lapsed MMSI No. and can't reprogram their radio.
Do Ofcom not inform you when an update/refresh is required? I thought an MMSI number was unique forever and can't be re-assigned.
 
Vessel not found on Ship Station List.
The problem has only appeared as I have changed my boat's name and I wished to update all the references.
Fortunately, I have not programmed the radio. I have just succeeded in Programming the AIS transponder but that can be changed without restrictions.
Tough for any who have a lapsed MMSI No. and can't reprogram their radio.
Do Ofcom not inform you when an update/refresh is required? I thought an MMSI number was unique forever and can't be re-assigned.
Yes . They tell you it's every 10 years . Normally any changes will initiate an automatic revalidation.

Ofcom used to be very helpful if you phoned them. That's your next best step I reckon.

.
 
Timely!
Just checked mine, I'd have never thought of doing that, if I hadn't seen this post.
Update date: 14-3-22 ....... so I need to do something, but what?
I've tried googling Ofcom mmsi "update form" and similar search terms, and don't see anything obvious, I see application and amendment forms, but no update form.
Any got a link to the appropriate webpage?
 
By going online to the Ofcom license page and viewing your details and confirming the details are correct you have re validated. Same rules if you are a radio Ham.
 
Thanks for the reminder
I just revalidated my license which was very easy.
It's a good idea to review and revalidate every year or two . Things like adresses do change from time to time.
 
Whenever you make an amendment they reissue immediately by email. Last time I did was for my AIS which the pedants on this board will be horrified to know is categorised as a transponder! :-)
 
I've lost the password for the site, and you have email them to get it reset. It's probably 10years since I used it. I won't get areply until Monday at the earliest, Then I log in and have a go at refreshing it.
Thanks for your help.
 
Thanks for the heads up for this.
My licence was issued in 2011 and I assumed that it was valid for life as it says "...shall continue in force until the Licence is surrendered by the Licensee or revoked by Ofcom." No mention of 10 years.
You would think that as they already have my address, they would let me know that they have a new system.
I had to start from scratch as a new licencee on the website but at least it still had my callsign and MMSI but it refuses to accept my DSC portable MMSI. Presumably they have changed the numbering system.
I'm not impressed to put it mildly and will be contacting them on Monday.
 
You could try to re register - go to the page below and re-register . Or maybe you already tried that .
1647728053583.png

The ships radio license is free and long term. I dont think its unreasonable that you should verify your details every 10 years .
 
Thanks for the heads up for this.
My licence was issued in 2011 and I assumed that it was valid for life as it says "...shall continue in force until the Licence is surrendered by the Licensee or revoked by Ofcom." No mention of 10 years.
You would think that as they already have my address, they would let me know that they have a new system.
I had to start from scratch as a new licencee on the website but at least it still had my callsign and MMSI but it refuses to accept my DSC portable MMSI. Presumably they have changed the numbering system.
I'm not impressed to put it mildly and will be contacting them on Monday.

No problem as long as they let me know that I have to verify every 10 years. I had no notification of this.

My licence, issued, down loaded and printed in 2008, says that on the fist page but on page 4 ( of 13) it says. " The Licensee must provide confirmation to Ofcom that the Licence details are correct ay least once every 10 years where the Licence details have nor changed in that period."
 
No problem as long as they let me know that I have to verify every 10 years. I had no notification of this.
I think you are asking too much
It's a free of charge license.
You are the one who has made a mistake , not Ofcom.
1647767411494.png
 
Thank you Vic. I have found it now on page 4 of 12 in section 2. Am I the only one that doesn't read and remember all the terms and conditions?
I had received my licence by post so I had not registered online.
I see now that the licence only has 2 pages ( that's all I ever kept on board from the old one). Also thank you Martyn for directing me to the new location of the Terms of the licence.
I also found this on page 10 of the guidance notes which could explain why I can't register my portable DSC VHF. It only accepts numbers starting in 972.
1647768031890.png
 
Am I the only one that doesn't read and remember all the terms and conditions?
I doubt you are alone but guess most peole for one reason or another amend their ships radio license within a 10 year period.
If you have not done so perhaps you might update your details on SafeTrx Login as this may help in the event of an emergency.
 
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