RYA Certificates from 1991 - how to get these converted into a modern photo card

[capnsensible]

I see the issue in slightly differently. Back in the day I did my DS as a spotty 18 year old, an orange log book if my memory serves me correctly. The sea school issued the certificate, BUT the information was never centrally recorded. My question would be why did the RYA not record the information of who had issued one of their certificates to whom?

While doing some family history research I dropped an email to a certain Scottish organisation, where men have funny handshakes and it is said roll their trouser leg up (I'm not a member), requesting information about my grandfather and was amazed at the detail I received back about him and my late father.

They didn't until they realised they should, so they did. Time and attitudes move on but you can't change what has passed. Oh and computers were invented.

 

[ylop]

Thanks all appreciate the comments - the centre that issued the certificate is no longer in business (I did of course start there). if anyone on here runs an RYA centre and thinks they can help me then do please PM me. Many thanks

I still don’t think you’ve told us why you want it? Is it actually an ICC you want? You can do a direct assessment for that if the RYA won’t honour converting your old but of paper into one.

 

[Dellquay13]

I still don’t think you’ve told us why you want it? Is it actually an ICC you want? You can do a direct assessment for that if the RYA won’t honour converting your old but of paper into one.

Unless the ICC has changed since January ‘23 when I renewed mine, it is still a paper certificate in a plastic wallet. The OP already has this style for his PB2 and VHF SRC.
Since the ICC and VHF src are issued by the RYA on behalf of the MCA, they may be staying in the shared old paper format until the MCA decides to upgrade them, not the RYA.

The PB2 is a RYA certificate and may well have been upgraded to the plastic format, but whatever else has changed since 1991 I can imagine the OP needs a new certificate with a photo less than 32 years old.

RYA certificates like the YM CS practical course are now double credit card sized plastic with a clear self adhesive film to cover a photo you attach yourself. They are given out by the training provider, not the RYA themselves, and the RYA only know when a card has been issued when the training centre register the card numbers. The RYA records are still only as good as the centres supplying the data.

When I took the ICC power assessment in 1999, I sent my application form, stamped by the examiner, with a photo to the RYA. I have no other proof of passing the assessment, as all the paperwork went off, as far as I recall. My original ICC power was for a 24m 10tonne vessel, but this was downgraded on later ICC Power renewals, but I can’t check what the form that the examiner stamped specified.
Since I upgraded my ICC to include Sail as well as Power with a YM CS practical course last winter, my new ICC no longer specifies any size limit on power.

 

[Dellquay13]

Hi

I have an RYA Level 2 Powerboating certificate (old style paper stuck within a book) from 1991 as well as a VHF Radio licence from the same time. I'd like to have these upgraded to a modern potocard.

The RYA won't help me and say I have to contact an RYA centre to do this so does anyone know how I could achieve this ? I am happy to pay an admin fee and also for assessor's time for a brief assessment to demonstrate my competence. I also have a lot of experience from 1990 that I can evidence to support my experience including owning a 34ft yacht and numerous RIBS / motor boats.

Any ideas welcome ....Many thanks

The VHF SRC certificate is issued by the RYA themselves (on behalf of the MCA) not by the training centre, so try going back to them about a replacement with a new photo. AFAIK, it is still a paper one in a plastic wallet, and from 1991 yours will most likely Not include DSC, so you may have to redo the course to upgrade to VHF SRC DSC.

 

[salar]

I am almost certain your old VHF Certificate won't be valid and you would have to do a conversion course anyway. Quicker and cheaper just to sit the current VHF course and exam again, and get the up to date VHF DSC cert.

 

[Dellquay13]

I am almost certain your old VHF Certificate won't be valid and you would have to do a conversion course anyway. Quicker and cheaper just to sit the current VHF course and exam again, and get the up to date VHF DSC cert.

The VHF SRC is valid for life, for voice transmissions on any vhf set, but as you say the OPs 1991 certificate wouldn’t cover any routine use of the DSC function on a modern set.
Having said that, I have only ever made a DSC call twice since 2006, to test new VHF installations, while I have to use my vhf for clearance every time I want to go through the harbour gates.
You don’t need any certificate to use any vhf in any emergency including the ch16 DSC button

 

[MontyMariner]

you would have to do a conversion course

AFAIK the conversation course is no longer offered.
My Cert is sans DSC, but I'm not bothered as I don't have a DSC VHF and if I do have to replace the set I won't put in the MSSI so it will behave like the old set.

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

won't put in the MSSI so it will behave like the old set.

Although I agree that the calling functionally on DSC is rarely used by us yachties, if you have actually have a DSC VHF radio it is a bit daft not to enter the MMSI number as that red button might just save your life one day.

Additionally you will probability find that the set constantly beeps at your if the number is not entered.


Non DSC fixed sets have not been current for a fair few years now so any non DSC kit is getting pretty old.. As long as it works that's fine, but it will fail sooner or later.

 

[ylop]

Unless the ICC has changed since January ‘23 when I renewed mine, it is still a paper certificate in a plastic wallet. The OP already has this style for his PB2 and VHF SRC.

No he doesn’t. He has the version before that (actually I think at least 2 versions before that).

 

[Dellquay13]

Although I agree that the calling functionally on DSC is rarely used by us yachties, if you have actually have a DSC VHF radio it is a bit daft not to enter the MMSI number as that red button might just save your life one day.

Additionally you will probability find that the set constantly beeps at your if the number is not entered.


Non DSC fixed sets have not been current for a fair few years now so any non DSC kit is getting pretty old.. As long as it works that's fine, but it will fail sooner or later.

The MMSI from the Ships radio licence can ( and should) be entered into a modern vhf, regardless of the age or version of the short range certificate held by the operator.
I was just commenting on how even a tatty flea bitten old paper certificate is still valid for voice calls, and it’s age and restriction on routine DSC calls doesn’t stop you using the DSC button in an emergency.
I kind of consider a really old certificate a thing of pleasant nostalgia, but probably better to have one with a photo from the last decade at least. (Although I have kept using my DSC SRC from 2006 having a photo of me with a full head of hair)

 

[dunedin]

The MMSI from the Ships radio licence can ( and should) be entered into a modern vhf, regardless of the age or version of the short range certificate held by the operator.
I was just commenting on how even a tatty flea bitten old paper certificate is still valid for voice calls, and it’s age and restriction on routine DSC calls doesn’t stop you using the DSC button in an emergency.
I kind of consider a really old certificate a thing of pleasant nostalgia, but probably better to have one with a photo from the last decade at least. (Although I have kept using my DSC SRC from 2006 having a photo of me with a full head of hair)

Are you sure this is technically correct?
Personally I think the concept of needing a test and certificate to use a VHF radio, but not to drive a 60 kt powerboat or PWC is completely bonkers, so not too bothered about VHF certificates unless needed for a charter boat.
Everything I have seen suggests that it is the capability of the equipment that determines the licence needed, not the function being used. So a DSC capable VHF would need the more modern VHF /DSC certificate to be technically legal, even if only doing non DSC calls (of course almost zero chance of anybody asking for your certificate in UK waters, but then also no need to update to a new printed format).

 

[Refueler]

The MMSI from the Ships radio licence can ( and should) be entered into a modern vhf, regardless of the age or version of the short range certificate held by the operator.
I was just commenting on how even a tatty flea bitten old paper certificate is still valid for voice calls, and it’s age and restriction on routine DSC calls doesn’t stop you using the DSC button in an emergency.
I kind of consider a really old certificate a thing of pleasant nostalgia, but probably better to have one with a photo from the last decade at least. (Although I have kept using my DSC SRC from 2006 having a photo of me with a full head of hair)

I still sit back on my MN issued RT Restricted Ticket .... which is a 'hard cover book' ...

Before anyone jumps on me - I am fully aware of its classification etc.

As to ICC ... just renewed mine couple months ago ... Free of Charge as I'm still RYA member ... Yes its still paper in a plastic cover ... which I straight away scan - copy - print in various sizes as well as original ... the copies get laminated to preserve ... original saved.

 

[Mark-1]

Everything I have seen suggests that it is the capability of the equipment that determines the licence needed, not the function being used. So a DSC capable VHF would need the more modern VHF /DSC certificate to be technically legal, even if only doing non DSC calls

Agree it's academic, but I think you're right. Many moons ago I tried to research the frequencies a VHF license covered and it turned out that rather than solely frequencies the license arbitrary covered specific types of kit (among other things), not solely functions and not solely frequencies.