Ship Portable License Question

[goeasy123]

I have a DSC capable hand held Icom IC-94D. Ofcom says that if such a handheld VHF with DSC is to be used on multiple vessels it must be licenced with a Ship Portable Radio Licence which restricts the use of the equipment to UK waters. There doesn't seem to be a strictly legal solution for using it outside UK waters, although acceptancce of a 'get around' is implied in the attached Ofcom guidance, which says in bold...

2.13 This problem is not confined to the UK. Ofcom and other UK agencies are considering how
this scenario should be authorised but we must consult other countries before putting
anything in place. We must ensure, for example, that we adhere to the GMDSS. We shall
publicise any new arrangements. In the meantime, any mariners using this equipment
must as a very minimum ensure that the source of any message is clearly identifiable at all
times

What do we think are the practicalities of using the device outside UK waters and in particular the USA? Does anyone have any experience in dealing with this issue?

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets...dio-licences-guidance-notes-for-licensing.pdf

 

[KompetentKrew]

There doesn't seem to be a strictly legal solution for using it outside UK waters,

Yeah, we just ignore that.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

The reason for this is that Ofcom have no licence jurisdiction outside of the UK, so there’s no alternative but licence the boat fixed VHF and the handheld radio via Ofcom, carry the printed copies of the Ofcom licenses. The chance that an overseas official will reject this seems very low.

 

[Plum]

I have a DSC capable hand held Icom IC-94D. Ofcom says that if such a handheld VHF with DSC is to be used on multiple vessels it must be licenced with a Ship Portable Radio Licence which restricts the use of the equipment to UK waters. There doesn't seem to be a strictly legal solution for using it outside UK waters, although acceptancce of a 'get around' is implied in the attached Ofcom guidance, which says in bold...

2.13 This problem is not confined to the UK. Ofcom and other UK agencies are considering how
this scenario should be authorised but we must consult other countries before putting
anything in place. We must ensure, for example, that we adhere to the GMDSS. We shall
publicise any new arrangements. In the meantime, any mariners using this equipment
must as a very minimum ensure that the source of any message is clearly identifiable at all
times

What do we think are the practicalities of using the device outside UK waters and in particular the USA? Does anyone have any experience in dealing with this issue?

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets...dio-licences-guidance-notes-for-licensing.pdf

In this case, the only problem with a hand held DSC vhf is the use of the dsc distress button. This is where there is not an international agreement.
The UK position is that if you press the hh distress button the rescue services need to know what they are looking for should a followup voice message not be heard. If a DSC distress is received from a vhf registered to a specific vessel they will initially focus on that vessel. If the DSC distress is received from a vhf registered as a Ship Portable Radio Licence then the rescue services will focus on a position, not a specific vessel. This can make a difference to the success of a search and rescue and is why Ofcom want the hh dsc registered differently to a fixed dsc. It appears that other countries may have different views.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Good explanation Plum.

 

[st599]

In this case, the only problem with a hand held DSC vhf is the use of the dsc distress button. This is where there is not an international agreement.
The UK position is that if you press the hh distress button the rescue services need to know what they are looking for should a followup voice message not be heard. If a DSC distress is received from a vhf registered to a specific vessel they will initially focus on that vessel. If the DSC distress is received from a vhf registered as a Ship Portable Radio Licence then the rescue services will focus on a position, not a specific vessel. This can make a difference to the success of a search and rescue and is why Ofcom want the hh dsc registered differently to a fixed dsc. It appears that other countries may have different views.

Many other ITU zone 1 countries are racing ahead implementing VDES and changing their channel plans ready for digital voice comms.
They also have ATIS chirps identifying vessels. I'm not sure the UK will ever get enough traction at the ITU to get consensus on a new licence class for technology that they plan to obsolete soon.
As to the question on validity, a ship's portable licence outside the UK is just a bit of paper, it has no validity at all.

 

[Refueler]

The reason for this is that Ofcom have no licence jurisdiction outside of the UK, so there’s no alternative but licence the boat fixed VHF and the handheld radio via Ofcom, carry the printed copies of the Ofcom licenses. The chance that an overseas official will reject this seems very low.

There is also the Internationally agreed part that even unlicenced person / non-registered radios portable / fixed can be used in Emergency situations without penalty.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Yes that's right, I guess the concern is about some overseas officialdom taking a dim view of the Ofcom paperwork.

 

[Bilgediver]

The DSC function does not work unless you input an MMSI number which would be issued by Ofcom . Normally they need a vessel name before issuing this. The MMSI number also shows the identity of the flag state ie UK

When in the USA you need to set your radio to USA channels as there are differences on how they use them . Most radios purchased in the UK have this choice available via settings.

If you have no MMSI number set up then your radio will operate as a basic VHF and there may be no issues regarding licence if operating responsibly and using ghe channels as per USA procedures

 

[Sticky Fingers]

For a portable DSC, the set gets a special number, it’s not linked to the Vessel name.

 

[Refueler]

The DSC function does not work unless you input an MMSI number which would be issued by Ofcom . Normally they need a vessel name before issuing this. The MMSI number also shows the identity of the flag state ie UK

When in the USA you need to set your radio to USA channels as there are differences on how they use them . Most radios purchased in the UK have this choice available via settings.

If you have no MMSI number set up then your radio will operate as a basic VHF and there may be no issues regarding licence if operating responsibly and using ghe channels as per USA procedures

As a former ships guy regularly in USA waters ... the only real need of USA setting on VHF was if you had any comms with USCG ... they would insist on 22A .... there are a couple other Alpha ch's but 22 Alpha is the main ...

Its interesting actually that for many years non USA ships - the VHF's were only International ... without USA switch.