| Issue 5 - Winter 2002 / 2003 | |
| Contents | |
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UK begins re-issuing old ship callsigns |
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Coastal Station Radio Training Establishment licence |
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Behind the scenes |
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In brief |
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RYA's change of address |
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From the MCA |
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Q&A |
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Sources of information |
Introduction
Welcome to
the fifth issue of the AirWaves newsletter. I would like to take this
opportunity to apologise for the use of unexplained initials in the article
about the new hand-held VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radios in
Issue 4, which included references to Maritime Mobile Service Identity
(MMSI) numbers. This was brought to my attention by some of our sharper-eyed
readers (no prizes, I'm afraid).
As we only send this newsletter out when there is something to say, I
must direct your attention to the articles regarding the forthcoming move
of the Agency to form part of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) and
the recycling of ship's callsigns. (This change to the management of UK
callsigns could affect any UK vessel.)
I would also like to draw the attention of all pleasure-craft owners to
the brief piece on HMCG's voluntary CG66 Safety Identification Scheme.
This scheme is totally free and could help to save the lives of you and
your crew/passengers in an emergency.
Please remember that we as a Section (and the Agency as a whole) value
your feedback, whether connected to this newsletter or on the Agency's
work within the Maritime radio sector, and we are happy to answer your
enquiries. Please send emails to AMS@ra.gsi.gov.uk
Mike
Martin
Manager, Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section
Many of you will already be
aware of the creation of the Office of Communications (Ofcom). However,
you may not know that this may affect your Maritime radio licence in some
way.
When the Communications Bill (currently going through Parliament) becomes
law, the Agency's functions – along with those of the Broadcasting
Standards Commission, the Independent Television Com-mission, Oftel and
the Radio Authority – will transfer to Ofcom. This means that the
licensing functions currently undertaken by the Agency will transfer to
Ofcom.
The Communications Bill defines and confers Ofcom's powers and duties.
As well as transferring to Ofcom virtually all of the Secretary of State's
functions under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts and associated legislation,
the draft Bill includes a number of other provisions on spectrum management.
Their purpose is to help Ofcom manage the radio spectrum effectively,
to implement the new EC Directives on electronic communications, and to
improve Ofcom's powers to keep the spectrum clear of interference. They
are described in the Explanatory Notes and Policy statement accompanying
the draft Bill, which can be found at: www.communicationsbill.gov.uk
We will ensure that
you are notified of changes as soon as possible, either through this newsletter
or via mailshots.
| In
October 2001 we launched a trial service, hosted at the Radio Licensing
Centre website (www.radiolicencecentre.co.uk),
which enabled licensees to apply for, amend and/or renew their Ship
Radio licences online. The aim was to make things easier for licencees,
particularly those who live abroad. The service has proved to be useful for many customers, and it has now been decided to incorporate it into the Agency's main e-business applications. The Agency is now designing a full specification service, which will be hosted on our website. This new service is under construction, and should be available to customers during 2003. The trial service will remain available until that time. |
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UK begins reissuing old ship callsigns
Callsigns
issued as identification to British ships as part of the radio
licensing process are the property and the responsibility of the
UK administration. Until now, the UK has managed its callsign
series on the basis that an allocated callsign should remain with
the vessel throughout its operational life or until it is transferred
from UK ownership. |
 |
Coastal Station Radio Training Establishment (CSR TE) licence
The long-awaited CSR TE licence
is now available to land-based radio schools. It is designed to allow
marine radio units to be set up on land for the teaching of Maritime
radio procedures.
The licence is based on non-interference terms and is designed to enable
the school, the Coastguard and the Agency to resolve cases of spurious
distress-call transmissions and inter-ference quickly. Existing Ship
Radio licences with a Notice of Variation will not be renewed, and holders
must apply for the new licence.
At present we are looking
into whether the scope of this licence can be widened to include ‘live'
communications for training purposes.
Customers may not be aware
that the Aeronautical & Maritime Services (AMS) Section is part
of the Agency's Specialist Sectors Unit (SPES), and that SPES also has
a technical team. This team works both nationally and internationally
to ensure that Aeronautical and Maritime radio spectrum is kept clean
and usable, while taking into account the needs of existing users.
The team has recently
been involved in developing common European positions in readiness for
the next World Radio-communication Conference (WRC-03), due to take
place in June. Sometimes it is necessary for these positions to be altered
in case "bartering" needs to take place to reach agreements.
An example is the possibility of introducing digital technology in the
Morse HF bands – subject, of course, to constraints. This does
not mean that customers can immediately go ahead and introduce products
on this basis, as this work takes time and regulations need to be agreed
and ratified before imple-mentation can go ahead.
The team has also participated in updating an International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) Resolution. Subject to review by the International Maritime
organisation (IMO) prior to 2005, this Resolution provides in the interim
for the retention of VHF channel 16 while urging administrations to
encourage vessels to use the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS) as soon as possible.
Another issue, not of immediate concern to our customers but still important,
is the need to review Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) resources.
Just as a river can eventually dry out, so can this numbering resource.
A shortfall has been perceived and drawn to the ITU's attention. A number
of solutions have been suggested – for instance, removing the
geographical limits of Maritime Identification Digits (MIDs). This would
mean that the first three digits of the MMSI might not have any regional
significance. Again, this is expected to be implemented only if necessary
and not for some years.
The team has also liaised with the French Administration to pursue radio
frequency interference and co-ordination issues.
As a final note and on a more dramatic scale, the team under-took a
project in partnership with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and with
the assistance of US colleagues, assessing the level of tolerable interference
from simulated radio-location radar emissions to 'civil' maritime radars.
The results of this project will enable us to decide internationally
on the level of compatibility in the deployment of the two types of
radars.
Letters of Authority
Some confusion has arisen recently because a Letter of Authority may
be issued to a British flagged and licensed vessel to allow it to carry
US-specification equipment, if it is used solely within US Territorial
Waters. To clarify, this Letter of Authority is available ONLY
to vessels operating SOLELY in US Waters; it is NOT VALID outside US
Waters and is only issued in exceptional circumstances. Vessels
intending to circumnavigate etc must still carry properly approved equipment
in the usual way.
Portable marine
radios
We have changed the name of the Ship Fixed Radio licence (SFRL) back
to the Ship Radio licence (SRL). This is because of confusion regarding
the cover/use of portable radios on board a vessel covered by an SRL.
An SRL covers any amount of Maritime radio equipment on board a vessel
and its tender, while the Ship Portable Radio Licence (SPRL) covers
purely a handheld radio (and EPIRB if used) used on board many vessels.
Although the SPRL is cheaper than the SRL, if you have a hand-portable
radio that is used as the vessel's main radio, it is better to hold
the SRL as it registers vessel details etc with HMCG.
Safety Identification Scheme – CG66
This is a free scheme run by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA),
and applies to both radio and non-radio vessels. To join, contact your
nearest Maritime Rescue Centre (telephone numbers on page 11), which
will send you a pack containing a registration card. The pack will also
contain details of other safety information and registration schemes
as well as brief details for your shore contact, giving instructions
on what action to take should they be concerned for the safety of the
vessel/craft.
The information you supply will be entered onto a database and will
be available to all Coastguard Maritime Rescue Centres. The Coastguard
will then have up-to-date details (including visual recognition) of
your vessel/craft in a search-and-rescue situation. There is also a
change card in case your craft's appearance (colour etc.) changes, there
is any significant change to the equipment held, or you are no longer
the owner.
The safety identification card is valid for two years. If it is not
renewed within that time, you will be contacted for re-validation. If
you cannot be contacted, your data will be removed from the records.
Further details and an application form are also available from the
MCA website at www.mcga.gov.uk/publications/cg66/index.htm.
From March 2003 the Royal
Yachting Association (RYA) will be operating from a new building, which
will bring all its services together under one roof. If you need to
contact the RYA for details of the Short Range Certificate and/or radar
courses and exams, its new details will be:
The Royal Yachting Association
RYA House
Ensign Way
Hamble
Southampton
SO31 4YA
Tel: 0845 345 0400
Fax: 0845 345 0329
From the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
Digital Selective Calling (DSc) testing with GMDSSVHF Testing
It is important for the safety of everyone on board that your radio
equipment is regularly tested to ensure that it is in good working order.
VHF RT test calls can be made from one vessel to another, to friends,
sailing colleagues, marinas etc, or between a vessel and the Coastguard
(HMCG). For VHF DSc there is a self-test facility that will check the
equipment.
By using self-test, you can test a VHF DSc control unit without producing
a signal from the transmitter. The self-test should be made on a daily
basis; this can be done through the DSc controller. Because the procedure
varies according to the make of equipment, you should follow the manufacturer's
instructions supplied with your radio. This procedure has been put into
place to prevent HMCG being overwhelmed by requests for tests, which
at peak periods could potentially run into the thousands; this would
seriously compromise their ability to carry out other essential duties.
NO test transmissions should be made on VHF DSc Calling Channel
70. However, the HMCG encourages vessels fitted with VHF DSc
to make individual routine calls to a selected HMCG station (MMSI numbers
are supplied at the end of this issue) in order to pass traffic reports
(TRs) or to request Marine Safety Information. Once you have received
the acknowledgement (on DSc) from ashore, call HMCG on RT and pass your
message or request.
MF testing
A ‘live' test call should be made once a week while within range
of a Coast Station (HMCG etc.) fitted with MF DSc If your vessel has
been out of range of a DSc-equipped station for over a week, you must
make the test call as soon as possible once it has come within range.
A test safety category has been implemented by HMCG, and stations will
respond to calls made on 2187.5 kHz. A test call should be sent to the
nearest HMCG station. The Coastguard will acknowledge the call by transmitting
a test safety of its own after about a minute or so. Usually no further
communication between the Coastguard and the vessel is necessary. The
procedure for the test is described below:
