Breaking News: Ship Radio Licensing

[Mike Martin]

All,

An old subject that has been the subject of much work (by both RA and lately Ofcom) over the last 2 years. The object of the game is to make it easier and less restrictive for the end user to obtain this piece of documentation for radio carrying vessels.

Today Ofcom has published a consultation document in order to get the opinion of “stakeholders” on the results found and the preferred way forward for British vessels. The result will surprise many of those who object to the licence in the first place but hey maybe we weren’t that bad after all.

Please have a look at this http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/src/ you can of course make your thoughts known using the response forms.

Mike

[Louise]

Great. Let's hope it gets the go-ahead. Thanks for keeping us informed.

[Scary Des]

I don’t get this in recent years ‘government’ has taken any opportunity to increase control on everything via legislation and now with these proposals they are throwing out control that everyone accepts they must be going soft or they are trying to soften us up for something else This is the government that banned people using mobile phones in the car because of 7 recorded accidents This the government who’s employees chase and prosecute people for eating apples You would expect this government to make it law for anyone going to sea to have a vhf, in fact you would expect this government to insist that anyone who goes even near the sea to have vhf, life jacket and flares and yet they are proposing reducing legislation This is so out of character that I have just checked the date to make sure it is not April the first

Still that said it is a good idea

Des

[John Kennett]

Looks like some very sensible proposals! If you think it's a good idea (or even if you don't!) then let them know. The feedback procedure is very straight forward, and it only takes a few minutes -- unless you feel the need to write a complete alternative proposal.

BTW Mike, it wasn't clear to me what would happen to the Transportable licence. It's mentioned in the review of the current situation, but I didn't see any mention of how it would be affected by the new scheme.

John

[Bilge Rat]

I personally welcome the proposal to do away with the yearly fee, having to pay out every year after obtaining the licence, registration and equipment, it just grates on me having to continually fork out money for what is essentially safety equipment, then when you meet people who operate VHF radios illegally kinda makes you think what’s the point !

[Jon Brooks]

Following on from Rat, what is happening to enforcement?
Will that stay as it is?
If MCA take over the Licence will Ofcom keep enforcement?

Regards

[Bilge Rat]

Originally Posted by Jon Brooks

Following on from Rat, what is happening to enforcement?
Will that stay as it is?
If MCA take over the Licence will Ofcom keep enforcement?

Regards

Jon no one enforces licenses now! I go out regular with people who frequent this forum who don’t have a licence yet they operate VHF equipment from there boat, why should I bother to renew my registration each year if no one does anything about the unlicensed people ? yes I accept in a life or death emergency its better to have an un licensed radio than none at all, but people don’t use them for this, I regularly hear fishing reports from Joe scum and his mates if something’s biting over some wreck or chatter between people (including members of the forum) about god knows what and without using the correct radio phonetics...... it really pisses me off.

Ok that me done I’ll get off my soap box for now

[Jon Brooks]

Originally Posted by Bilge Rat

Jon no one enforces licenses now! I go out regular with people who frequent this forum who don’t have a licence yet they operate VHF equipment from there boat, why should I bother to renew my registration each year if no one does anything about the unlicensed people ? yes I accept in a life or death emergency its better to have an un licensed radio than none at all, but people don’t use them for this, I regularly hear fishing reports from Joe scum and his mates if something’s biting over some wreck or chatter between people (including members of the forum) about god knows what and without using the correct radio phonetics...... it really pisses me off.

Ok that me done I’ll get off my soap box for now

Well they tell us there is.
I understand there will be a large number of inspections to be carried out this year.

I have said it to Mike on many occasion the way to make people sit up and listen is for them to NICK a few and fine them.
Whilst it is nice to take the softly softly route it can have an adverse effect.

All the time the public see little or no action against these offenders they will think "why should I bother"

I am, like many other, miffed with the fact that I undertake all the right training, get the licence yet there are so many who are getting away with not!

Ok I will get off my soap box now!

Regards

[DJL]

Good news - although I think the whole radio licence, CG66 and SSR schemes should be rolled into one. So much information is duplicated and I personally wouldn't mind keeping the license fee to pay for the administration.

As more and more people adopt DSC radios they will be forced to get a ships radio license if they don't already. However, it’s making people attend the SRC VHF course that will ensure correct use of radios. The problem with being more proactive in prosecuting is it might deter people from carrying radios in the first place. Maybe they should be forced to do a radio course instead.

I have never had my licenses checked and I never carry them onboard (it’s too wet).

[Louise]

Originally Posted by DJL

I never carry them onboard (it’s too wet).

Bung 'em in an Aquapac bag!