ACMA calling on boat owners to double check they are equipped to operate VHF marine radios

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is calling on boat owners and users to double check that they hold a certificate of proficiency to operate their VHF marine radio.

VHF marine radios provide a valuable means of keeping in contact with other vessels and coast stations, particularly at times when the weather changes or when assistance is needed.

The number of vessels on Australian waterways is increasing. The proportion of boats that are fitted with marine radios is also increasing as more competitively priced equipment has led to an increase in the use of radios on boats and other craft.

‘The stark warning is simply this - many boat owners who do not hold an operator’s certificate may not realise they are breaking the law when they operate their VHF marine radios,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

‘Very high frequency (VHF) International Maritime Mobile (IMM) channels are internationally harmonised and are used for gaining assistance during emergency situations and for general working purposes.’

Channel 16 is designated, internationally, as the emergency and calling channel for ships and small craft. A vessel’s crew may use channel 16 to call other vessels and coast stations but once communication has been established, the operators must change to a working channel to continue the conversation. This ensures channel 16 remains available for emergency situations and other calls.

‘Operators who hold an appropriate operator’s certificate of proficiency know about calling protocols and how the channels are used. Unfortunately, there are operators who are not qualified and not familiar with correct operating procedures and, as a result, are disrupting communications. That simple behaviour further threatens safety of life,’ said Mr Chapman.

Operation of radio transceivers, on the VHF IMM channels, is governed by conditions set by ACMA. These conditions specify that operators must be qualified and hold an appropriate certificate. This certificate must be either the Marine Radio Operators VHF Certificate of Proficiency (MROVCP) or the more comprehensive Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP).

Information about how to obtain an operator’s certificate and other requirements is available on ACMA’s website under Marine Radio - Choices and Changes and Maritime Ship Station - 27 MHz and VHF.

for more info check out http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311698

So if i have a vhf/uhf radio in my boat i need another license to use it?

Eyebrow wrote:So if i have a vhf/uhf radio in my boat i need another license to use it?

Hey,

Im youngn, from www.rochedalescan.com, it's good to find your site

"Another licence" What kind of licence do you currently hold?

As for your radio that you mentioned, what frequencies does it cover or what frequencies are you refering to within VHF and UHF? For the VHF marine part of it you will need the certificate to *legally* use the VHF marine frequencies.

Okay well I look forward to getting to know more of you and learning heaps. I may even have a thing or two to add as well.

Cheers
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youngn

Its been around in Queensland for a while im pretty sure, you are meant to get a lisence which basicly gives you a callsign and teaches users in the correct techniques in calling for help etc.
Personally I think that for the sake of 70$ or whatever it is anually its worth it for the lives that could be saved and to reduce the amount of un-neccesary chatter on the emergency channels.