Radio Poll

[chris moody]

it will be interesting to find out if those that don't hold a SRC certificate are legally allowed to listen on a VHF.

Note that you can use a VHF without a SRC certificate if under the direct supervision of a SRC certificate holder. So on PB2 courses I get the students doing a radio check (after I have talked them through the process, and then we have had a "dummy run" not actually pressing the transmit button).

[Sarah]

Absolutely - great idea to get people to practice under someone elses certificate - its something I hope to incorporate more into my courses - I know Dom always does on more advanced courses.

[digitalman]

I know I have given my better half a basic on how to operate if i was unable to use the radio so if I was out cold at least she knows which buttons to press, which is not quite under supervision but close enough

[Sarah]

OK ...so please don't shoot me - I'm just answering the question-- (she runs away and hides....)
I'm not getting into a debate about the rights and wrongs just stating what I've been told and answering the question posed:

I've made several calls today and finally received an answer and told that the RYA stance which matches the MCA stance is that you do need a SRC (Short Range Certificate) - Authority to Operate to listen to the radio - it is the act of turning on that means you are operating it. Now I haven't drilled into the legislation but I am told that is the stance. The point of the SRC is to ensure people do know how to operate it, don't accidently do something which causes an inadvertent alert to be sent, aren't using equipment that interferes with other signals etc. You can of course, as Chris has pointed out, use it under the supervision of another SRC holder.

To answer The Hobbits question - no time limit on online course - you need to log in at least once a year not to lose access. Clearly if taking the assessment I suggest that you've looked at it again close to assessment time just to cover any of the less used information which might crop up.

To answer Roger - scanners are a whole new issue of which I won't pretend to have answers. We deal with equipment that has the capacity to transmit. Sorry I can't help further, not trying to be unhelpful but think I could probably get lost for hours in it! Interesting point though.

Digitalman - def your wife should use it in that case - as would anyone in an emergency - although she may wish to contemplate life insurance...…


Hope that helps clarify it at least. Please lets be sensible about this - I don't want to hear that one of you has suddenly drowned because you didn't take a radio that you've always carried before! There are several instructors on here - if there is anything we can do to help people let us know.

[rogerblack]

I know I have given my better half a basic on how to operate if i was unable to use the radio so if I was out cold at least she knows which buttons to press, which is not quite under supervision but close enough

That's a very sensible idea, plus if you were out cold then presumably that would be an emergency situation and hence legal use anyway even for an unsupervised non-certified operator.

[Sarah]

Absolutely and its an idea to carry out a basic safety brief on your boat with anyone who is less used to it. How the lifejackets work, what kit is onboard, how to raise help, how to identify where you are -if you've a handheld GPS explain what those coordinates mean - not everyone knows. We always do this at the start of any training or skippering job - on a skippered job we're not teaching just passing on the relevant info.
Alongside my radio I always have an old fashioned mobile phone on prepay that holds the charge for ever - so if for some reason someone can't work the radio, batteries dead, electronics gone whatever, at least they have some method of contact.

[digitalman]

Digitalman - def your wife should use it in that case - as would anyone in an emergency - although she may wish to contemplate life insurance...…

I don't think you can get the insurance man on the VHF, but she might try

[rogerblack]

OK ...so please don't shoot me - I'm just answering the question-- (she runs away and hides....)
I'm not getting into a debate about the rights and wrongs just stating what I've been told and answering the question posed:
. . .
To answer Roger - scanners are a whole new issue of which I won't pretend to have answers. We deal with equipment that has the capacity to transmit. Sorry I can't help further, not trying to be unhelpful but think I could probably get lost for hours in it! Interesting point though.
. . .
Hope that helps clarify it at least. Please lets be sensible about this - I don't want to hear that one of you has suddenly drowned because you didn't take a radio that you've always carried before! There are several instructors on here - if there is anything we can do to help people let us know.

Hi Sarah
Many thanks for your input. I don't blame you for not opening the can of worms over scanner use - the main thing is that since they can't transmit at least they can't actually interfere with anything.

Your helpful info on the whole subject of using VHF marine band transceivers is greatly appreciated and hopefully no-one on here would dream of shooting the messenger, even if they might disagree with the message, particularly since you are being so careful not to be dogmatically preaching right or wrong, just informing us, so thanks for taking the time to do so.

Although I have done the full course and found it enjoyable, not onerous, there was some time spent covering stuff related to fixed units that isn't generally relevant to typical users on here. If you have any channels to feed back to the powers that be, maybe it's time to consider a cut-down version for sibbers, kayakers etc covering hand-held portable use only, so maybe the course and exam could all be done within one day not two and hence offered at a lower cost. Just a suggestion but from the poll results and discussions on here, it might encourage more users to get certified.

[Sarah]

PS to add to the confusion I've just found in the Ship Radio Information notes issued by OFCOM it states under "International legal requirement" - "however you can still monitor the radio for safety purposes or use it to summon assistance in a distress situation, without one" ('one' being Maritime Radio Operator's Certificates) It may go on to give further clarity as the notes are too long and complex to read through quickly so don't take this as gospel. Its possible its under national legislation that its required.

I've had a look at Article 18 of the International Radio Regulations and that seems to be clear that a license is required.

You guys have set me a puzzle - don't like ambiguity --need to do some other work now but I will raise this and see what answers I get.

[Sarah]

Hi Roger, Happy to take back the comments and I can see your point about the extra complexities but many portable sets do now have the functionality of DSC so would still need to do full course.

I do a lot of safety boating where sailing takes place close to shore, within the harbour and the operators are in reality only using channel M or 37a for race control. There is a race officer with full control, along with other safety boats operating alongside so chances of needing to make PanPan or Mayday Relays etc is unlikely but I guess there will always be exceptions to the rules which SIBs, kayakers, dinghy sailors fall into. Their option would be to remove the other channels and operate under the shore station options.

Happy to pass on comments (in generic form!) but I suspect the response will be that DSC handhelds are becoming more prevalent as the costs have come down and as they have the same capabilities (in general) as fixed DSC it would be too great an administrative burden to operate two systems.