VHF came with boat, can I just use it?

Zagato

Zagato

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The reason I ask is that after I sold my old boat which came with a VHF the buyer asked me for a code number of some sort, I never did use it and have never used one. My new boat also has a VHF installed - do I need a code for it and can I use it without a licence?
 
Modern vhf have mmsi numbers, like a phone number.

No, you can't just use it, you need a ship's radio licence from Ofcom and a operator's certificate from the RYA.
 
There is often confusion between international callsigns & MMSI numbers. The vessel needs to be licenced & with that comes a callsign & an MMSI number. Like ST599 said, the MMSI number is like a phone number that's programmed into your radio, if it's a newer DSC type. If it's not then ignore the MMSI number.

But then if you had done a course to get a VHF operator licence you would know all of this and how to operate the radio. If you've done the course, it sounds as if you need a refresher. A course done years ago before DSC needs to be updated anyway if you have a DSC radio.
 
The MMSI number stays with the boat and is easily viewed through the radios menu functions. If no number has been input, just apply for one and stick it in. If one is already there, you need to swap the licence into your name.
 
Repeat all of the above - However, to prevent the "fear" of using the VHF in a non-licensed environment it is worth noting that ANYONE is permitted to use a VHF whether licensed or unlicensed, if the purpose of use is to make an emergency call.
 
FishyInverness said:
Repeat all of the above - However, to prevent the "fear" of using the VHF in a non-licensed environment it is worth noting that ANYONE is permitted to use a VHF whether licensed or unlicensed, if the purpose of use is to make an emergency call.
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What about if you want a berth in a marina, SWMBO would say that is an emergency! :D
 
VicMallows said:
That becomes an even more interesting question, because Ch80 is technically regarded as a 'private channel'. I am not interested enough to delve in to check it out, but have a sneaking suspicion that that WOULD be legal :mad:
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I would love to hear Toad's take on this, perhaps we have thought that a license is needed when there in fact are plenty of loopholes. And how about in France?
 
Sybaris said:
I would love to hear Toad's take on this, perhaps we have thought that a license is needed when there in fact are plenty of loopholes. And how about in France?
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The Ship's Radio Licence is free, and takes 10 minutes to complete. Why on earth would anyone try to find ways round it?

As others have said, if it is a DSC set then there is no way round licencing. Yes, you could install it and run with no MMSI, but then you lose the DSC distress function, as well as all the other DSC functions. You also don't have a ships callsign, so when we ask you for one, it immediately becomes obvious you have an unlicensed set.

In the UK you might get away with it - on the continent, take plenty of Euros for the fine.

I'd be careful claiming the "only for distress" on a normal radio installation. The clause was originally designed for the SOLAS handhelds which were packed in liferafts - the concession was given as obviously liferafts can't just be unpacked and radios changed when they're resold, and there was obviously no chance of routine traffic use.

Do the course - you'll learn a lot with a good instructor, and you'll learn important bits - like what we expect in a distress situation, which makes everyone's life easier.
 
chanelyacht said:
The Ship's Radio Licence is free, and takes 10 minutes to complete. Why on earth would anyone try to find ways round it?

As others have said, if it is a DSC set then there is no way round licencing. Yes, you could install it and run with no MMSI, but then you lose the DSC distress function, as well as all the other DSC functions. You also don't have a ships callsign, so when we ask you for one, it immediately becomes obvious you have an unlicensed set.

In the UK you might get away with it - on the continent, take plenty of Euros for the fine.

I'd be careful claiming the "only for distress" on a normal radio installation. The clause was originally designed for the SOLAS handhelds which were packed in liferafts - the concession was given as obviously liferafts can't just be unpacked and radios changed when they're resold, and there was obviously no chance of routine traffic use.

Do the course - you'll learn a lot with a good instructor, and you'll learn important bits - like what we expect in a distress situation, which makes everyone's life easier.
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The MMSI and callsign come with the ship's radio licence and there is no requirement for qualifications in order to get one of them - they come free of charge from the Ofcom website. That is enough to install and configure the radio. It would be illegal for you to actually use it without a SRC certificate in your name, or supervision from someone who has a current SRC.
 
maby said:
The MMSI and callsign come with the ship's radio licence and there is no requirement for qualifications in order to get one of them - they come free of charge from the Ofcom website. That is enough to install and configure the radio. It would be illegal for you to actually use it without a SRC certificate in your name, or supervision from someone who has a current SRC.
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Yes, I know that - it's what I deal with every day.

The OP was talking about not bothering with both licences - hence, on a new set, there would be no allocated MMSI within the ITU system, so, for example, an automated distress would not show any vessel name data.
 
Zagato said:
The reason I ask is that after I sold my old boat which came with a VHF the buyer asked me for a code number of some sort, I never did use it and have never used one. My new boat also has a VHF installed - do I need a code for it and can I use it without a licence?
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It's not about not bothering, I was just asking if I needed one as I have never used one although my last two boats came with them but no code numbers were ever mentioned by the previous owners. I was going to use it to for getting in and out of Chichester Marina - thanks for the replies I will investigate further ;)
 
Zagato said:
It's not about not bothering, I was just asking if I needed one as I have never used one although my last two boats came with them but no code numbers were ever mentioned by the previous owners. I was going to use it to for getting in and out of Chichester Marina - thanks for the replies I will investigate further ;)
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Does it have a DSC function?

If it does, and you don't know the MMSI, give Solent CG a ring (at a quiet time preferably) and ask to send them a test transmission - i.e. a routine call to their MMSI (002320011). Your number will appear on the screen and they can then tell you.

Make sure you are doing a routine call though, distress ones are a nightmare ;)

If it's non-dsc, you won't have an MMSI.
 
Zagato said:
It's not about not bothering, I was just asking if I needed one as I have never used one although my last two boats came with them but no code numbers were ever mentioned by the previous owners. I was going to use it to for getting in and out of Chichester Marina - thanks for the replies I will investigate further ;)
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You will be okay in Chi marina, they don't care if you have a licence. :)
 
At the risk of acquiring a Mr Pooter label, I'm a little bit concerned at some of the casual and cavalier suggestions in reply to this poster. Poor VHF discipline is far more widespread than it should be. Listen on Ch16 on a nice summer's day and you hear all sorts of inane conversations clogging the airwaves, folk who have no clue about switching channels or any of the important protocols involved in marine communications.
Certainly you should say to the OP that in an emergency, the radio should be used, but in that case, without proper training, the rescue co-ordination is likely to be much less efficient. I would say that he should sign up a course pronto and in the meantime buy and study the RYA book as an interim measure.
 
samwise said:
At the risk of acquiring a Mr Pooter label, I'm a little bit concerned at some of the casual and cavalier suggestions in reply to this poster. Poor VHF discipline is far more widespread than it should be. Listen on Ch16 on a nice summer's day and you hear all sorts of inane conversations clogging the airwaves, folk who have no clue about switching channels or any of the important protocols involved in marine communications.
Certainly you should say to the OP that in an emergency, the radio should be used, but in that case, without proper training, the rescue co-ordination is likely to be much less efficient. I would say that he should sign up a course pronto and in the meantime buy and study the RYA book as an interim measure.
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+1

It's so easy and so cheap, why in the world not comply? The short range qualification is a simple one-day course. And it's not just a bother -- you learn useful things about proper radio procedure, and proper radio procedure will really help you use the radio effectively. The ship's license, as others have said, takes 10 minutes and is free.

It's one of the lowest effort and cost to results ratios of anything connected to boating.
 
samwise said:
Poor VHF discipline is far more widespread than it should be. Listen on Ch16 on a nice summer's day and you hear all sorts of inane conversations clogging the airwaves, folk who have no clue about switching channels or any of the important protocols involved in marine communications.
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Sadly I suspect you would find little correlation between the 'culprits' you refer to and whether or not those users held an operating certificate.
 
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