Vhf MMSI SSR and Licences

[Morepower]

Hi Guys... where to start really... Im looking for advice on where / what / what not do to... I have a Jaguar 25 which I'm slowly restoring and I've fitted a new Raymarine 230e.. which needs to go to my local agent to have channel 37 added for our club radio..
Thats just the begining though... The boat has an SSR number.. So I presume I need to register this?.. After that I'll need a licence for the vhf/dsc and a mmsi.. where do I start with this???.. Do I do a vhf course/licence?? And if so where and what?.. I'm trying to do it properly but it does seem an awfully messy process..
Sorry for so many questions btw..

Regards Tim

 

[bitbaltic]

You need to do a VHF course (attain licence) for you to legally operate the radio, unless you always plan to sail with someone who already has a licence, in which case you are regarded as using it under their supervision. If you don’t get a license there is no realistic chance of being picked up on it.

The boat needs a licence to transmit which you get online (free I think) from OFCOM. This licence will come with an assigned MMSI number.

That license is in your name so if a previous owner had a licence you will need a new one in your name and if the PO had an MMSI for the boat you will need to get OFCOM to transfer it.

SSR is handled by the registry in Cardiff. Registration lasts five years. I can’t remember if this is transferable or recoverable if expired, someone who knows will be along in a few minutes, but if not the registry will advise. If you do not plan on leaving the UK SSR is not essential (arguably not essential even then). It can ease things in foreign ports but is not a requirement.

 

[Kwik Decision]

1. SSR stands for Small Ships Register. You only need to register your boat if you are going abroad - if you're staying in the UK, there is no obligation to have it registered. To register the boat on the SSR in your name will cost you £25 for 5 yrs, and is simple process, follow this link:
https://www.gov.uk/register-a-boat/the-uk-ship-register

2. Your DSC VHF radio needs to be licenced - this is done on line, and is free. It will give you a call sign and MMSI number.
Follow the link:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/radiocommunication-licences/ships-radio#

3 In order to legally use your VHF radio, you need an operators licence. This requires a days course, which includes a test. Most RYA Sea Schools run this course regularly - I'm sure google will find one near you. This is the most expensive bit, at around £160.

 

[GHA]

.. where to start really...

As well as the many helpful folks on here, there's masses of info on the RYA site -

https://www.rya.org.uk/knowledge-advice/legal/boat-ownership/Pages/hub.aspx

 

[salar]

..... If you don’t get a license there is no realistic chance of being picked up on it.....

Not strictly true. Everyone within VHF range will hear you making a complete fool of yourself by not knowing VHF protocol like we heard this weekend, someone in the Solent kept asking for a radio check but not asking anyone (or Solent Coastguard) so nobody replied.

 

[prv]

Not strictly true. Everyone within VHF range will hear you making a complete fool of yourself by not knowing VHF protocol like we heard this weekend, someone in the Solent kept asking for a radio check but not asking anyone (or Solent Coastguard) so nobody replied.

There's every chance that person had an operator's certificate

In any case, did a black helicopter with OFCOM painted on the side swoop down and carry them off?

Pete

 

[Daverw]

Not strictly true. Everyone within VHF range will hear you making a complete fool of yourself by not knowing VHF protocol like we heard this weekend, someone in the Solent kept asking for a radio check but not asking anyone (or Solent Coastguard) so nobody replied.

They are probably going back to their CB days when you would call on air just asking for a radio check and not call a station directly.

 

[[70521]]

Not strictly true. Everyone within VHF range will hear you making a complete fool of yourself by not knowing VHF protocol

That is the usual state of affairs.

 

[Morepower]

Thanks for all the replies... I'm intending to do the course, SO I'm licenced.... Which brings me nicely on to my next question... Is there anything I should be reading before I go on the course to prepare me for the exam....

Regards

Tim

 

[Momac]

The boat may already have a mmsi. But you do need an operators licence as said.
You do not need SSR unless you want to leave the country in the boat

 

[prv]

The boat may already have a mmsi. But you do need an operators licence as said.

You need an operator's certificate for you and a station license for the boat. If the boat already has an MMSI then you want to ensure your new station license uses the same one, so that you don't need to reprogram the radio, but you do still need the license. The fact that the boat already has an MMSI assigned under a previous owner's station license doesn't mean that you don't need to get one.

Pete

 

[Morepower]

I'd doubt that it has as the vhf I removed looked like something out of the arc and was pre dsc.. in fact...the original instrumentation consisted of depth and speed (although the display only functioned sometimes) and a vhf radio that as previously stated was VERY old..

Regards

Tim