VHF License in Greece

[affinite]

My boat is now based in Greece (still UK flagged) and it is time for VHF ships licence renewal. I know that the official line is that I should renew my UK VHF licence for use abroad but does anyone have any experience of Greece ? Is it really necessary ? Is it enforced ?

 

[MedMan]

Re: VHF Licence in Greece

I have heard of at least one yachtie being fined in the Greek Ionian for not having a valid VHF licence.

The Greek Port Police are generally harmless - keep out of there way and they will keep out of yours. Unfortuanetly, individual officers at random moments can become extremely difficult and, when that happens, they have the power to fine you more or less as much as they like on virtually any pretext with no effective right of appeal. I strongly advise you to have every possible piece of paper including a VHF licence. It is really not worth trying to save £20. While you are at it, make sure you have an up-to-date Insurance Certificate with a Greek translation of the elements that are compulsory in Greek waters.

 

[Lizzie_B]

I think you can now print off your new VHF licence free of charge from the web. Perhaps someone here knows the web address. So it will simply cost you the use of an internet cafe if you do not have your own internet access.

 

[jhr]

[ QUOTE ]
I think you can now print off your new VHF licence free of charge from the web

[/ QUOTE ]

Not yet. The idea is out for consultation at the moment and, if it gets the nod, may be introduced next year some time. The proposal is that a "lifetime" license should be issued for a particular boat and that it should be possible to arrange it over the Interweb, potentially for free. Nothing is certain on this Earth, but this would definitely be a sensible step for the Government to take - so don't hold your breath.............

 

[summerwind]

What you may not be aware of is that if you don't renew your licence they cancel your call sign and MMSI No and allocate it to someone else.

That may not be a problem to you right now but may well cause you problems in the future.

How's the weather?

 

[affinite]

Just posted my renewal .....
Dont know what the weathers like in Greece as Im in blighty at present but back over in a couple of weeks.

 

[BobOwen]

Weather in Greece? It is absolutely scorching around the Ionian. Even the locals are saying its hot.
Wind for the last three weeks has been almost none till mid day then often a F3 - 4 for the afternoon.

Would be ok, except all the berths are snatched up by mid day, so most folks are motoring from place to place in the morning to get in first.