Ship Radio Licensing - The Future

[Mike_Martin]

On these Forums (as elsewhere) the Ship Radio Licence is a much maligned and even more misunderstood little function of HMG, although I am happy to say that general understanding of it has increased amongst Pleasure Boaters over the last few years. In the past many have suggested that it should be scrapped as it allegedly serves no purpose other than to fund the existence of the Radiocommunications Agency (RA).

I have spent more than a little of my time at RA explaining to people what it actually is, its purpose and how it helps to maintain the integrity of the Maritime Mobile Radio service within the UK’s Territorial Waters as well as assisting in identification of British vessels when overseas. Not to mention the fact that the fee is far below what it actually should be for the work done.

In December of 2003, the RA was assimilated into the new super communications regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) and the role of the UK Radio Administration is now on a different heading. One of the new tasks (as published in the Ofcom Annual Plan) we have been set is to consider the de-regulation of the licensing of UK vessels. At present Ofcom is holding talks with the MCA on how this could safely be achieved before going out to wider consultation with any plan formulated. We are tasked with formulating the de-regulation plan by the Autumn.

Just thought you might like to know.

Mike


<hr width=100% size=1>No fixed JOB Title, something or other in Ofcom

 

[jfm]

Not sure it's "much maligned"

Just a small point, we just got a new boat so need a ship's licence and mmsi number. I did this using the online application and paid the £20 by c/c . This online service was excellent. It can improve the public perception of the organisation significantly if the necessary interface (ie, chore) is done by a simple but effective website. So, all excellent stuff imho.

But as regards deregulation, one question. Could dereg mean that boaters who have used VHF for years and attended the one-day training will be spared the additional one-day upgrade training when they switch to a DSC set? That would be excellent. Some kind of on-line training and/or exam would be much better use of the time of the workers of this country imho

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[hlb]

Does all that mean it's rubbish and yer trying to get rid of it.

Will we still need a licence??

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>Specializing in marine sanitation since 1997.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[duncan]

This will inevitably have a significant impact as the soft benefits such as 'it helps' and 'assisting' will not be capable of being valued and the accountants will drive the equation back to where many start - ie. you pay for one to pay for the cost of administering the licence itself. The extreme risk in this must be that (1) this cost is the true cost (higher) and that (2) it ends up being borne by a significantly smaller population when either only those travelling to other areas are required to have one or inshore boaters give up VHF due to cost.

Mike, You seem to be indicating that a scenario that you have warned about before is going to be played out; and it isn't going to be pretty. Clearly you are in a difficult position to respond to the question "If you were us what would you be doing about it?" but is there more you can add?

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[BrendanS]

Thanks for that Mike. Quite refreshing to have such upfront information, rather than be left to speculate amongst ourselves

<hr width=100% size=1>Utinam logica falsa tuam philisophiam totam suffodiant

 

[mjf]

One thing I was never sure about was the enforcment of the license.

I heard sometime ago about 'inspectors' visiting marina looking for the 'license paid' disc on the boats. Is this true?

Quite by chance I was told last week that QHM Portsmouth was going to monitor VHF traffic in their jurisdiction and cross reference users with the license records.
This, I think, is a by-product of the security issues in Portsmouth but it does police the issue which seems fair to me.

Michael



Michael

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[steverow]

Look what happens when you get de-regulation,...Railways, Telephones,Power, buses, are they really any better?

Sorry, but I think it all used to run better when it was just the Home Office and Post Office Telecommunications...not just ships radio but the whole spectrum.

Problem with de-reg and spectrum auction etc is that you get lots of people with huge chunks of spectrum who dont really need it....that is, out of the bits that the MoD make available for commercial usage anyway (which aint very much).

Steve.


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[jfm]

No......

No Steve, all those are highy regulated. All that happened to them was they ceased to be publicly owned.

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[Mike_Martin]

Re: No......

Telephones are regulated by Ofcom!

I can see the irony!

Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>No fixed JOB Title, something or other in Ofcom

 

[qhmportsmouth]

Actually you had heard a "duff dit" as I had no plans to check for VHF licenses but now you mention it it seems quite a good idea..................

All the best
Tom Herman
QHM Portsmouth
www.qhmportsmouth.com

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[whisper]

Welcome to the fold.
It will be nice to have "a voice of authority" on this forum - should keep some of the delinquents in order /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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