I am pleased to say that we have had a very positive response to the first issue of Airwaves. I hope that it was useful and cleared up some of the general misunderstandings about the licensing and use of maritime radio.
It is extremely important that you take the time to read this issue of Airwaves carefully. This is because it gives the contact details of our new ship radio licensing contractor, Post Office Customer Management Unit (POCM) who take over the administration of Ship Radio Licensing from Wray Castle on 1st April 2000.
In this newsletter you will find details of POCM’s address and telephone number and some of the new payment facilities that will be available from 1st April 2000.
We have also added a question and answer section, which contains questions that the Section has had to answer recently, as this information may be useful to all of you.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact us or the contacts listed if you require further information on any of the topics covered.
Stephen Hand
Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services.
The appearance of the licence discs issued at some point after 1st April 2000 will change. The new look disc will be the same size but it will no longer be colour printed and the expiry date and licence information will be printed in a larger typeface. These changes should solve the problem of reading sun-faded discs.
After the success of the trial of the re-usable disc holder and taking account of the comments of open boat owners we have decided to improve on the design and to make it more waterproof for the benefit of open boat owners.
In April 1995 the Radiocommunications Agency appointed Wray Castle (Training) Ltd as its agent for the distribution of ship radio licences. Wray Castle’s contract was awarded for an initial three year period and was later extended until 31 March 2000, the maximum term for the contract. Government procurement regulations require that contracts must go out to competitive tender and so the Agency invited bids for the contract in September 1999.
Wray Castle (Training) Ltd was unsuccessful in its bid to retain the contract. Wray Castle will continue to offer a full licensing service up to and including Friday 31st March 2000. So if your licence is due for renewal between now and then you will receive your reminder from Wray Castle in the usual way.
The new agent for the distribution of ship radio licences is Post Office Customer Management (POCM), formerly Subscription Services Ltd. POCM is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Post Office and has been distributing Amateur and Citizens’ Band radio licences on the Agency’s behalf for a number of years now.
POCM’s contract will take effect from 1st April 2000. It is important to note that they will not be able to deal with any licensing enquiries until that date. Licences and renewals will still need to be applied for by post and you will not be able to apply for your licence at a Post Office.
Bank details of POCM are:
HSBC
City Office
49 Corn Street
Bristol
BS99 7PP
Sort code - 40 14 13
Account Number - 01843532
All correspondence should go to:
The Radio Licensing Centre,
Post Office Customer Management,
PO BOX 1495,
Bristol, BS99 3QS.
The telephone and fax details are:
Tel: 0870 243 4433
Fax: 0117 975 8911
An e-mail address will also be available for enquiries.
All Standing Order customers should now have received a letter reminding them to change their standing order mandates at their banks. This is very important if you are due to renew your licence after 1st April 2000 as your bank will still send out a payment to Wray Castle unless notified by you.
Many customers in the past have inquired into the possibility of setting up direct debits to pay their licence fee and until now this has not been possible. As of 1st April 2000 this facility will be available through the new contractor POCM, if this method of payment is of interest to you please drop POCM a line on or after 1st April 2000 and they will dispatch a direct debit application form to you.
On 10th December 1999 the MCA released a press notice clarifying the situation with regard to their future distress watches on both VHF Channel 16 and MF 2182 kHz.
The current watch on MF 2182 kHz will be downgraded from a dedicated "headphone" watch to a "loudspeaker" watch with with effect from 31st March 2002.
The watch on VHF Channel 16 will also be downgraded from a dedicated "headphone" watch to a "loudspeaker" watch with effect from 31 January 2005.
The MCA stressed that this does not mean that the Coastguard will cease to monitor Channel 16 but that the chances of being heard will be much lower.
Further details of the changes are available on Marine Information Notice (MIN) 63. Contact the MCA on 0870 600 6505 to obtain copies.
The Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive 1999/5/EC will be implemented from 8 April 2000.
For radio equipment fitted to ships subject to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) (i.e. compulsory fitted radio equipment such as those for vessels over 300 tonnes gross etc.), there will be no change in type approval procedures. The radio equipment for these vessels is subject to the existing Marine Equipment Directive 96/98EC.
For other types of less stringent maritime radio equipment (such as those fitted to non-SOLAS vessels, e.g. voluntary fitted radio equipment), the R&TTE Directive will apply. The intention of the R&TTE Directive is to regulate the sale, movement and use of radio and telecommunications terminal equipment within the European Community; it does not aim to stifle innovation.
At present, the essential requirements of this Directive include the protection of the health and safety (H&S) of the user, the protection requirements with respect to the EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) Directive (89/336/EC), and the effective use of the spectrum to avoid harmful interference.
Other maritime-specific requirements such as the need for environmental tests, the provision of a protected distress and safety button, etc. may not be considered part of the fundamental Directive. Discussions are being undertaken with the European Commission in order to include such additional measures within the scope of the Directive.
Under the R&TTE Directive it will no longer be mandatory to test equipment to specific standards. In addition to allowing manufacturers to declare compliance by using standards harmonised under the Directive, it also allows alternative methods, namely the Technical Construction file route and the Full Quality Assurance route, both of which require the involvement of a Notified Body.
As a result of these changes, it is recommended that mariners wishing to purchase marine radio equipment in future should satisfy themselves that the equipment is fit for the purpose for which it is intended. This could be done by checking with manufacturers, or purchasing through reputable chandlers.
Changes of Address Information
This seems to be as good a time as any to remind customers that notification of a change of address should be sent direct to the Ship Radio Licensing contractor using the Amendments/ Additions form supplied and not to the Agency.
What is the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)?
The ITU was founded in Paris in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union. It took its present name in 1934 and became a specialised agency of the United Nations based in Geneva in 1947. The ITU is an inter-governmental organisation, within which the public and private sectors co-operate for the development of telecommunications worldwide. The ITU produces international regulations and treaties governing all terrestrial and space uses of the radio spectrum, within which countries develop their national legislation. It also develops recommendations to facilitate the interconnection of telecommunications systems world-wide, regardless of the type of technology used. These recommendations are implemented in Europe through CEPT.
On the 1st September 1999 the ITU consisted of 189 Member States and 576 Sector Members (scientific and industrial companies, public and private operators, broadcasters and regional or international organisations).
What are the International Radio Regulations?
The international "Radio Regulations" (the Regs) set out standardised rules and procedures for using radio frequencies that are used across international borders for the same purpose, for example, the International Maritime Mobile Service. They are agreed and ratified at World and Regional Radio Conferences. These Radio Conferences carry out the legislative and policy functions of the ITU’s Radiocommunications Sector. The Regs carry Treaty status for Member States, which includes the UK. There are many Articles of the Regs that affect UK Maritime radio users, two of which are Article S18 and Article S47:
Article S18 requires that:
No transmitting station may be established or operated by a private person or any
enterprise without a licence issued in an appropriate form and in conformity with the
provisions of these Regulations by or on behalf of the government of the country to which
the station in question is subject.
Article S47 further states that:
The service of every ship radiotelephone station, ship earth station and ship station
shall be controlled by an operator holding a certificate issued or recognised by the
government to which the station is subject. Provided the station is so controlled, other
persons besides the holder of the certificate may use the equipment.
In the UK these Articles are implemented and enforced using the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (WT Act). This means that maritime radio equipment available for use on board a vessel owned by a UK citizen or UK registered must be:
At present the terms of the WT Act licence also require that the equipment is properly type approved to the relevant specification accepted in the UK (see R&TTE article).
The ITU has a website which customers may find useful at: www.itu.int. It also produces the "Manual for use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services" which is considered to be an invaluable book for the users of Maritime radio.
Q I now keep my boat overseas (France, Spain, the Med. etc), do I still need a Ship Radio Licence?
A If you have registered your boat with or become a citizen of that country you will have to apply for a ship radio licence from its administration. However if this isn’t the case, you must still hold a valid UK radio licence. Administrations can only licence their own vessels and citizens.
Q How do I make amendments to my licence?
A Any amendments to your licence should be made using the Amendments /Additions form supplied at issue and renewal. Amendments must be made in writing to the licensing contractor as your licence is an authority from the Secretary of State for Trade & Industry and as such is an official document. However, this written instruction can of course be faxed to save time and postage.
Q Can I use my Citizens’ Band (CB) radio on board my boat and does my Ship Radio Licence cover it?
A Yes, you can use CB radio on a vessel within UK Territorial Waters, but it can not replace Maritime radio equipment, which you carry to enable contact with the Coastguard and other vessels for safety related communications. CB is an entirely different radio service and is licensed separately from Marine radio so you will need a valid CB licence as well as a ship radio licence.
NB. You can also use Amateur radio equipment on board but again it must be separately licensed which means that you must hold the relevant Amateur radio licence.
Further details on the Amateur and CB radio services can be obtained from the Agency’s Amateur and CB Section on 020 7211 0160.
Q Do I need another, separate licence for my hand-held VHF radio?
A As long as it is only going to be used on the licensed vessel and/or its tender a hand-held does not need a separate licence.
Q When should I buy a GMDSS compatible VHF/DSC radio for my boat?
A The general advice for pleasure craft at present from the MCA is: As HMCG has confirmed its intent to monitor IMM VHF Channel 16 until 31st January 2005 pleasure craft have some breathing space. However if you are considering the purchase of a new or replacement VHF set at present, it would of course be sensible to buy one of the new DSC or DSC compatible units available on the market.
Q Do I need an operator’s certificate to have a Marine radio transceiver on my boat?
A No, a marine radio can be installed on a boat with a ship radio licence alone. However without the operator’s certificate the radio can only be legally used for receive-only purposes unless you are in a DISTRESS situation.
AMS Manager
Stephen Hand
020 7211 0225
E-mail: stephen.hand@ra.gsi.gov.uk
AMS Deputy Manager
Mike Martin
020 7211 0212
E-mail: mike.martin@ra.gsi.gov.uk
General maritime licensing enquiries
Inc. Ships, Coastal Station Radio, Navigation Aids contact AMS on 020 7211 0215/17
For information on Amateur & CB Radio
contact the Amateur & CB Section on 020 7211 0160
For general information on Marine Radio Operator’s
Certificates and the GMDSS
contact the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) on 0870 600 6505 or visit www.mcagency.org.uk
For details of the Short Range Certificate (GMDSS, VHF)
contact the Royal Yachting Association on 02380 627 400 or visit their website: www.rya.org.uk
For details of the Long Range Certificate, (GMDSS, VHF, MF, HF
and satellite communications), Restricted Operator’s Certificate and the General
Operator’s Certificate
contact the Association of Marine Electronic & Radio Colleges on 015394 32255 or visit
www.pcfe.plymouth.ac.uk/amerc/
For details about registration of 406 MHz EPIRBs
contact the EPIRB Registry on 01326 211 569
For details on Inmarsat satellite communications equipment
contact Inmarsat on 020 7728 1777
For further information about the ITU
visit their website at www.itu.int
The Agency produces information sheets and publications on most
aspects of its work. They are available by:
calling the Library on 020 7211 0502/05, or e-mailing library@ra.gsi.gov.uk or can be downloaded
from the Agency’s Website at www.radio.gov.uk
It is also possible to subscribe to the Library (free of charge) and automatically receive
updates and new releases. Details are available from the contacts above.
Information sheets and application forms which maritime customers may find useful:
RA 0 Current List of Agency Publications.
RA 206 RA Local Offices.
RA 243 List of Contacts in European Administrations.
RA 354 RA and its Role in Managing the Radio Spectrum.
RA 145 Ship Radio Licence Application Form (and Guidance Notes).
RA 258 EPIRBs - Use, Custody and Control (includes a 406MHz EPIRB registration form).
RA 264 Use of International Maritime VHF Channels.
RA 273 Channel 16- Non-GMDSS, VHF Radio Telephone Guidelines on Use.
RA 292 Non-GMDSS Marine Radio Telephone Procedures.
RA 364 Ship Radio Licence Information Sheet.
RA 276 Coastal station Radio Application Form.
RA 290 Coastal Station Radio Information Sheet.
RA 277 Maritime Navigational Aids & Radar Licence Application Form.
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