Requirements for shore stations using VHF

[prv]

takes us back to the original question as we are all (presumably) licenced for the marine bands.

We are, as ship station licensees. But the outfit in the original question was initially (I assume) not licensed at all, and then licensed as a "Coastal Station Radio (UK)" which gives them one private channel not part of the normal marine VHF band; there's also the hypothetical possibility of it being licensed as a "Coastal Station Radio (Marina)" or "Coastal Station Radio (International)" in which case it would be licensed on one (or a small number) of the normal marine channels - but not the whole range.

The other kinds of license are way more restrictive than we're accustomed to with our Ship Station ones.

Pete

 

[JumbleDuck]

We were talking about receiving the message on shore. If you read the back of your radio licence that will tell you all about it.

I haven't seen my licence for twenty years. So please humour me and tell me who will prosecute me if I respond to a Mayday I hear when I'm ashore, and which law says I have to be told what to do by the coastguard.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Although it is not illegal to sell, buy or own
a scanning or other receiver in the UK, it
must only be used to listen to transmissions
meant for GENERAL RECEPTION.

Ch 16 is for general reception, is it not?

 

[prv]

Ch 16 is for general reception, is it not?

I don't know. Depends how you define "general". It's not intended for the man in the street like Radio 4, and most calls (except Maydays, coastguard MSI broadcasts, etc) are intended for one specific station.

In any case, the post you're quoting was a response to Billjrat saying it's legal to listen to anything anywhere, provided you don't transmit. Which is certainly not the case.

Pete

 

[Billjratt]

I, and I suspect most average people are criminals then. However, reading the document referenced earlier in the thread, I believe the intention was to ban people from supporting pirate stations rather than criminalising propagation exploration.
Ofcom would have a real task on their hands enforcing/prosecuting such (in my opinion) draconian measures, so why use that wording?
In my youth, we had a radio licence for our valve-driven multiband radio - we were licenced to listen.
Then came TV and the licence for our radio was included with that, so we are still licenced.
There's got to be some common sense interpretation or an update available somewhere.
Anyway, I apologise for drifting again. Reel me in.

 

[ProDave]

what is the REAL issue here?

Many will be aware that despite the request by (Company name) to keep our (local planning application) focussed on planning issues the objectors reported (Company name) to numerous council departments and government agencies. One of those government agencies was Ofcom, the regulator for radio communications which includes marine radio use.

So they have a planning application pending. What's that for? A shore based radio mast perhaps?

It sounds like somebody objects to the planning application but to make life as difficult as possible for the applicant grassed them up to Ofcom.

I think we only have part of the story?

 

[NormanS]

If I hear a Mayday from my boat, I will act on it if I am in a position to do so. This may be by doing a Mayday Relay, if required, or it may be by physically responding, if I am in a position to give help before an official "Asset" can arrive. I do not believe that I need the Coastguard's permission to render assistance.

If I hear a Mayday on my handheld VHF, in my dinghy, or on the shore, I will act likewise.

So what happens if I hear a Mayday on my handheld VHF, while in my house, if the set happens to be switched on?

Maybe I should point out that in the area in which I sail, official "Assets" are thin on the ground, and that as a community, we are accustomed. To helping each other.

 

[prv]

It sounds like somebody objects to the planning application but to make life as difficult as possible for the applicant grassed them up to Ofcom.

That's the impression I got. Planning application nothing to do with radio, but some nasty person has dug up anything they can think of where this business is technically in the wrong and reported them for it. That's why I referred to a "local feud" earlier.

Normally (and of some relevance to Billjrat) Ofcom don't see any point in enforcing this stuff, especially when it's receive-only. I've never heard heard of it happening before. But I guess when they have someone pressuring them, they may be forced to act. It sounds like they weren't especially heavy-handed in this case, just made the centre take out the officially-appropriate license.

Pete

 

[GrahamM376]

If I hear a Mayday from my boat, I will act on it if I am in a position to do so. This may be by doing a Mayday Relay, if required, or it may be by physically responding, if I am in a position to give help before an official "Asset" can arrive. I do not believe that I need the Coastguard's permission to render assistance.

With most mayday or pan pan calls I used to hear around the Irish sea, the coastguard used to ask if any vessel was in a position to assist. Correct protocol if you hear a mayday and can assist is to call the controlling station, which may or may not be the coastguard and offer assistance.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Correct protocol if you hear a mayday and can assist is to call the controlling station, which may or may not be the coastguard and offer assistance.

Instead of actually helping? Sorry, but if someone sinks half a mile from me, I'm going to head across there before the CG tell me to.

 

[GrahamM376]

Instead of actually helping? Sorry, but if someone sinks half a mile from me, I'm going to head across there before the CG tell me to.

Where did I say not to help? Of course you do but let the controlling station know what you're doing, it may save a lifeboat launch. If you're so close, obviously tell them you are proceeding to the casualty.

Back to the original question about shore stations, it seems the RCA aren't bothered about all the marinas who use ch16 as well as 37 or 80.

 

[NormanS]

With most mayday or pan pan calls I used to hear around the Irish sea, the coastguard used to ask if any vessel was in a position to assist. Correct protocol if you hear a mayday and can assist is to call the controlling station, which may or may not be the coastguard and offer assistance.

Correct protocol? Where did you get that from?
If I hear a Mayday, or see a vessel in trouble, and am able to help, I will be heading that way asap. I will then probably tell the CG of my intentions. I would hope that most others would do likewise.

Once, many years ago, on a Saturday evening, I was in a spot of bother,(which it turned out I was able to resolve myself). As a precaution, I informed the CG by VHF, but it was not a Mayday. While I was sorting the problem, two fishing boats from nearby villages called me to say that they were coming to help. The fishermen had been in their homes, obviously with VHFs on. On hearing my call to the CG, they had both launched dinghies, gone out to their boats, and come to help. Were they wrong? Is anyone going to try to condemn such brilliant behaviour?

 

[JumbleDuck]

Correct protocol? Where did you get that from?

I am a tad more worried by the notion that anyone who helps without being told to by the CG will be prosecuted (presumably under the "Respect Mah Authoritah Act") than by fear of breaching some notional protocol.