Ship's Radio Licence Reminder

[Cornishman]

Ship\'s Radio Licence Reminder

Ofcom starts to replace annual licences with the lifetime ones next month, and these are free if you get them on the internet. There is a fee if you get yours by any other means.
Make sure you have cancelled your standing orders or direct debit instructions, too.

 

[VicS]

Re: Ship\'s Radio Licence Reminder

The internet application is for new licences although there was an on line renewal previously,if you could find it.

Existing licences will be replaced with lifetime ones automatically and I think that has been happening since 1 Oct. Special arrangement were put in place for anyone needing a new licence during Oct and Nov.

The Ofcom web site has all the details http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/maritime/

A good point though about cancelling standing orders or direct bebits

 

[Magic]

Re: Ship\'s Radio Licence Reminder

Confirmed I got mine through the post a few weeks ago, without any action on my part.

 

[yindoor2]

Re: Ship\'s Radio Licence Reminder

Hi Cornishman
I downloaded the form, stuck it in the post without payment and the disc arrived three days later. so there is another option thats free.
regards ian

 

[VicS]

Re: Ship\'s Radio Licence Reminder

[ QUOTE ]
I downloaded the form, stuck it in the post without payment and the disc arrived three days later. so there is another option thats free

[/ QUOTE ] Presumably that was sometime since 1 Oct or it would not have been free.

Once the On-line application system is up and running (from 1 Dec) then that will be the only way to get a free licence.

[ QUOTE ]
"From 1 December 2006, free online licences will be available. However, those applying via a paper-based application will be subject to a £20 charge

[/ QUOTE ]

 

[yindoor2]

Re: Ship\'s Radio Licence Reminder

Be assured vicS, Its free. I did not have to pay for mine.

Regards Ian

 

[VicS]

Re: Ship\'s Radio Licence Reminder

I know its free. Its been free since 1 Oct. BUT it will only be free for on line applications once the on-line system is up and running from 1 Dec. You will then down load the licence and print it yourself. The licence disc will be discontinued.

Postal applications and the issue of a paper licence will cost a £20 admin fee.

In addition to the link in my earlier post that sets out the current situation you will find a summary of the new system here
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/src/statement/
and a link to the full document at the end of that.

 

[simon_sluggett]

Re: Ship\'s Radio Licence Reminder

Isnt it typical, anything to do with Government agencies is a shambles. Working families tax credit, the single farm payment, VHF licences to name a few.
Seeing the confusion on this forum,in the press and the general boating public it seems no one is very clear when and what is to happen, even OFCOM contradicts itself. Do they make it up as they go along. What are all these thousands of managers and special advisors doing all day in these quangos. Maybe someone who works in one would like to enlighten us on here please.

 

[VicS]

Re: Ship\'s Radio Licence Reminder

Confusion! Who's confused?

Personally I read the consultation document that was published in Feb 2005. AND responded to it! I read the policy document that was published last December. I am sure I have seen an explanation for the delay in the introduction of the on-line application facility, although I forget what the reasons where. I have read the interim arrangements. At no time have I been in any doubt what was being proposed although there was some uncertainty about the period between 1 Oct and 1 Dec until the temporary arrangements were publicised, which they were in good time. At least the free licences were introduced on 1 Oct as planned.

I must admit though I missed just where Ofcom contradicted itself on this issue.

In view of the small number of responses to the consultation document apathy might be a better word than confusion.

I am surprised to learn that Ofcom has "thousands of Managers and special advisors". Indeed a change from the days when the Radiocommunications Agency seemed to consist of Mike Martin.

Now tax credit and the Child Support Agency are other matters. Total chaos and any other insult you care to throw at them as far as I can see.

 

[SwedishLass]

Re: Ship\'s Radio Licence Reminder

My licence was due 12/11 previously paid by dd. New licence for 12 months arrived free with instructions to cancel dd's etc.

Quote from letter "From December 2006, ofcom is planning to replace all annual licences with new free lifetime licences. The enclosed licence will cover the short period until your new lifetime licence is issued through the post."

"The new online lifetime licencing system will be avail from 1/12/06 to maintain licence." I am assuming new dsc etc.

 

[VicS]

Re: Ship\'s Radio Licence Reminder

Yup all that is exactly how I interpret the various documents I referred or linked to.

I just do not understand how so much confusion has arisen although it does seem likely that at one time, before the Consultation document was published, there was a suggestion that replacement of lapsed licences would incur a £20 fee. That would have been nonsensical though because anyone affected, including myself, would have simply said, "To hell with any prevoius licence, the station was decommissioned. I am now applying for a new one."

The system coming into effect on 1 Dec is for on-line applications for new lifetime licences. Renewals of expiring licences will contiue to be automatic and free, as they have been since 1 Oct, and once the lifetime licences have all been issued there will be no such thing as renewals. Change of ownership will require an application for a new licence as the lifetime ones will not be transferrable to new owners.

It remains to be seen if callsigns etc from lapsed licences will be resurrected as they were, if possible, prior to 1 Oct. I may discover the answer to that when I apply for a new licence. On the old downloadable form there was (still is) provision to quote the old callsign for the vessel if known. If it is intended that vessels retain their callsigns through change of ownership then that facility will presumably continue into the new on-line system.