Radio licence and Mmsi

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Billyo

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So I've been madly preparing the boat to go to Mexico and woke up in the middle of the night having an oh s*it moment.

Before I left the UK I did the online scr course, but I've just realised I forgot to get round to sitting the exam. I need to get the boat which is uk flagged, and in the states, an mmsi number but as far as I can see I need to have sat the RYA exam before I can apply to ofcom. Obviously being currently in the states I can't pop back for the exam, so I'm wondering if I can sit the US Marine radio operators permit and use that licence to register for a British mmsi?
Anyone have any thoughts or experience?
Ta.
 
You don't need an Operators Certificate for an MMSI. The radio is registered to the boat, not to you.

You can register on line and get the MMSI.
 
Ditto
The Ships Radio Licence and the operator's Certificate of Competence are two entirely separate entities.
Has your boat previously been issued with a British MMSI - perhaps to a previous owner? If so, the MMSI will stay the same. You will need to enter it during the online application process.
 
GregOddity said:
But you DO need a licence to use the Radio, so he's back at the beginning.
Click to expand...

You do need some one to operate the radio on the boat but it does not need to be the owner or skipper. In fact the operator only needs to be "supervised" by some one on the boat who has an operators licence.

It its and emergency Mayday call no one will take any issue if no one has an operators licence.
 
GregOddity said:
But you DO need a licence to use the Radio, so he's back at the beginning.
Click to expand...

Well not really. The OP's question was about obtaining a Ships Radio Licence. He was under the impression that you need to hold an SRC to apply for a Ships Radio Licence. You don't. The Ships Radio Licence is usually in the name of the owner of the vessel. This may or may not be the operator of the radio. The two are separate. He can get a Ship's Radio Licence and MMSI today by applying online on the Ofcom website.

The operator of the radio will need an operator's certificate of competence to use the radio but that can be anyone.
 
mikemanor said:
Well not really. The OP's question was about obtaining a Ships Radio Licence. He was under the impression that you need to hold an SRC to apply for a Ships Radio Licence. You don't. The Ships Radio Licence is usually in the name of the owner of the vessel. This may or may not be the operator of the radio. The two are separate. He can get a Ship's Radio Licence and MMSI today by applying online on the Ofcom website.

The operator of the radio will need an operator's certificate of competence to use the radio but that can be anyone.
Click to expand...

True, the MMSI is not a problem. Mayday is something I hope far removed from his needs but no one would question. Then he's sorted. Online MMSI and a crew member with license.
 
GregOddity said:
But you DO need a licence to use the Radio, so he's back at the beginning.
Click to expand...

Strictly speaking, no in certain circumstances - and you don't need to have an MMSI to operate a radio if you do have a certificate. The MMSI main use is for the DSC bit of the radio (including Mayday). He is also in the States, but policing of certificates is virtually non existent even in UK.
 
ghostlymoron said:
Crikey, when did you get your radio. Since I've been sailing, non DSC radios haven't been for sale.
Click to expand...

I had my RYA Restricted VHF certificate issued in 1988 and used a Seafarer/ Seavoice VHF Marine Radio SRT101 for many years until I upgraded it. I still have it in the loft and its still in working order even now. It has preselected crystal channels real old technology.
Non DSC radios were pre 1999 everything since then has been DSC VHF radios.
 
Rogershaw said:
It its and emergency Mayday call no one will take any issue if no one has an operators licence.
Click to expand...
For absolute clarity - it is not that "no-one will take issue" it is that the law specifically permits its use in an emergency without qualifications. If things go wrong you may well find legal types will find a minor transgression to pin on you because they wont make a bigger one stick or a bigger one doesn't actually exist... ...but you can always be sure pressing the red button or picking up the PTT and speaking in a genuine emergency will not be the transgression...

BTW - there are RYA Schools in the US who could sort out a GB exam for you.
 
Well I applied for a ships radio licence several weeks ago, and it still has not been approved. can take several weeks so I suggest you do it as soon as possible.

steveeasy
 
steveeasy said:
Well I applied for a ships radio licence several weeks ago, and it still has not been approved. can take several weeks so I suggest you do it as soon as possible.
Click to expand...

I think you must have done something wrong, or weren’t actually applying for a Ship Station license. It’s issued instantly at the end of the process, you’re given a link to download a PDF which you’re meant to print and keep on board.

Pete
 
prv said:
I think you must have done something wrong, or weren’t actually applying for a Ship Station license. It’s issued instantly at the end of the process, you’re given a link to download a PDF which you’re meant to print and keep on board.

Pete
Click to expand...

Hi Pete,
Just logged in. says 7 days remaining. think I filled everything in correct. there was no fee to pay or outstanding. ill contact them Monday via live chat.

Thanks

Steveeasy
 
This thread reminded me that I needed a new Portable Radio licence. Just logged in to create it, and was emailed the licence immediately.
 
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