The completion in July 2003
of the Communications Act’s passage through Parliament is an important
milestone in the formation of the new converged communications regulator,
the Office of Communications (Ofcom).
After more than 2 1/2 years
of Parliamentary scrutiny (including 17 days of debates on the floors
of both Houses, 26 sessions of the Commons Standing Committee and more
than 500 amendments), the Communications Bill – which was jointly
sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of
Culture, Media and Sport – will now head into the statute books.
Ofcom is the new independent
regulatory body that will replace five existing communications-related
regulators: the Radiocommunications Agency, the Broadcasting Standards
Commission, the Independent Television Commission, Oftel and the Radio
Authority. It will inherit their powers and statutory duties when it is
formally launched this December.
This means that, by the end
of this year, the Radiocommunications Agency will no longer exist –
Ofcom will assume the Agency’s responsibility for regulating the
radio spectrum and communications services.
We are working to ensure a
smooth transition of our regulatory functions into Ofcom, and will keep
you informed of developments.
You can find more information
about Ofcom at its transitional website (www.ofcom.org.uk).
MCA
consults on MMSI directory
In response to requests from
the Royal Yachting Association and pleasure-boat users, the Agency and
the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have investigated the possibility
of producing a directory of UK vessels with Maritime Mobile Safety Identity
(MMSI) numbers.
It has been decided that, because
of its emphasis on safety at sea, the MCA is better placed to take this
project forward. The MCA is now looking into the viability of producing
a directory, which would be along the lines of a telephone directory;
a consultation exercise has been set up to judge how useful it would be,
and who would buy it.
The directory would be unlikely
to carry any personal details other than the surname of the vessel’s
owner, and would focus on visual identification of the craft – so
it would not be expected to be open to abuse by ‘direct marketing’
companies etc.
However, maritime professionals
have raised concerns about the realistic usefulness of a directory in
a safety or collision situation. There are also issues around how often
it would need to be updated, as Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment
becomes more common on pleasure craft, and how expensive the updates would
be.
If you carry or are ready to
upgrade to DSC equipment, we urge you to take part in the consultation
by visiting the MCA website at www.mcga.gov.uk/aboutus/comms_innov/mmsi.htm
so that your opinion can be taken into account.
Automatic
Identification System
The Automatic Identification
System (AIS) has been mandated by the International Maritime Organisation
to be an obligatory fit for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention vessels,
including but not restricted to passenger ships and tankers, of between
300 and 50,000 gross registered tonnes (GRT).
AIS must be installed on such
vessels no later than the first safety equipment survey after 1 July 2004,
or by 31 December 2004, whichever is earlier. (If the vessel is not engaged
on international voyages and was constructed before 1 July 2002, AIS must
be installed by 1 July 2008.)
Ships fitted with AIS and engaged
on international voyages must maintain AIS in operation at all times,
except where international agreements, rules or standards provide for
the protection of navigational information.
AIS enhances and complements
existing radar installations by providing a visual display of vessels
in the surrounding area. Accuracy of information is maintained by using
the Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) to supply vessel position-fixing
details. The system is intended primarily to enhance safety of life at
sea and the safety and efficiency of navigation, and to protect the marine
environment. It allows for ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship
operations.
AIS was originally designed
to operate in the maritime mobile VHF band (channels AIS1 = 161.975 MHz
& AIS2 = 162.025 MHz) and therefore within VHF range of shore (approximately
25 to 30 nautical miles), but there may be a future requirement for long-range
reporting by satellite.
The initial equipment spec-ification
was for a Class 'A' product built to international standards for SOLAS
vessels. A Class 'B' international standard, currently being produced,
will allow manufacturers to develop and manufacture equipment at a lower
cost for the non-SOLAS and pleasure-craft market.
In
brief
Handy safety booklets
The RNLI produces an excellent
series of booklets about sea safety. Each of the 10 booklets focuses on
a particular form of sport or boating, and contains guidelines on all
aspects (including radio) of safety within it. They are available free
of charge by calling 0800 326 0600 or visiting www.rnli.org.uk
Behind
the scenes
Changes
to CSR licensing procedures
The Agency has changed its
Coastal Station Radio (CSR) licensing procedures to incorporate international
co-ordination. Some CSR stations have been experiencing interference owing
to their nature and position, so the Agency has decided that we need to
co-ordinate with other administrations if we are to be sure that allocated
frequencies can be used without interference.
Unfortunately, this means that
licences may take longer to issue. For issuing CSR licences, we work to
the Agency's 'Category C' target: to process 90% of applications within
40 working days and the remainder within 60 working days, or to provide
an explanation of the delay. The Agency’s Annual Report, available
on our website under "About Us", contains further details.
Changes
to '(List V)' and '(List VIIA)'
In Circular Letter CM/13 of
7 February 2003, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) detailed
changes to future paper editions of the 'List of Ship Stations (List V)'
and the 'List of Call Signs and Numerical Identities of stations used
by the maritime mobile and maritime mobile-satellite services (List VIIA)'.
The two lists are a mandatory carriage requirement for ships engaged in
international travel or communications.
Because they contain details
of many vessels, the Lists have become extremely large and cumbersome.
Most of the listed stations are non-SOLAS vessels that never engage in
international relations, so the ITU has decided that details of pleasure
vessels should be expunged. However, this does not affect the contents
and particulars held on the ITU’s Maritime Mobile Access and Retrieval
System (MARS) internet service or on the CD-ROM format of List V.
World
Radio Conference 2003
While some of the debates on
maritime issues extended to late hours during the conference, there were
no nasty surprises in the decisions. The UK maintained its brief on an
amended resolution concerning Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS) issues, which allows for the continuation of the use of VHF Channel
16 and the frequency 2182 kHz as an interim measure for general voice
calling.
The conference accepted a recommendation
that the use of DSC for 'timetabled' safety announcements was no longer
mandatory. The issue of adequacy of the MMSI resource was suitably addressed
and the onus for managing this resource now rests with the ITU Bureau.
A future agenda item has been tabled for the 2006 Conference to address
GMDSS issues, including unnecessary mand-atory carriage requirements of
bulky regulatory documents.
From
the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
Testing
a Class D Digital Selective Calling (DSC) VHF Radio
In the last AirWaves, we looked
at the testing of MF/HF and Class A VHF equipment. Here we cover the testing
of the 'pleasure use' class D.
Unlike Class A, Class D equipment
does not have a built-in self-test capability, so you can only test that
the DSC circuitry is operational by making a 'live' DSC call. However,
as the DSC capability does not differentiate between DISTRESS/ URGENCY,
SAFETY and ROUTINE calling, you do not need to make an actual DISTRESS
call for testing.
As with the 'old' VHF system,
you should make 'radio checks' using neighbouring boats or your local
marina. The check should consist of a ROUTINE call to a known vessel fitted
with DSC equipment. Such vessels will become more common in the future,
but at present only a relatively small proportion of pleasure craft carry
DSC – so you can make the test when you lodge a Passage Report (or
TR) with your local Coastguard Maritime Rescue Centre (MRCC).
Initiate the test with a routine
call using DSC on Channel 70 (MRCCs' MMSIs are at the back of this newsletter),
then make the Passage Report on a working channel (e.g. CH67) once the
MRCC acknowledges you. The MRCC’s acknowledgement will show that
your DSC radio is operational.
The MCA is encouraging all
vessels fitted with DSC to use their equipment for routine communications.
2005 is just around the corner!
Can
iridium satellite telephone be used for Ship Safety or Distress calling?
While iridium satellite telephones
are clearly not a part of the GMDSS, they could become an alternative
to Inmarsat equip-ment for pleasure-craft owners – so it is worth
considering the impact of their use as a long-range communications device
for non-SOLAS vessels, while bearing in mind that there are shortfalls
in performance.
The UK's Rescue Co-ordination
Centres (RCCs) have already started to receive DISTRESS situation calls
from vessels carrying iridium phones. While there is nothing wrong with
this, please note that the transmitted signal cannot be used for position-defining
and the phones cannot broadcast messages – so only one call can
be made at any one time. Some iridium owners have programmed the 24-hour
telephone number of a particular RCC into their phone memory, thinking
that they will get through to an operator at that RCC immediately. However,
as we have found with mobile telephone users, if the RCC is busy there
may be a delay.
The 24-hour numbers advertised
for all RCCs are for routine traffic only. If you are in a distress or
urgency situation and are fitted with other conventional maritime radio
equipment, please use those means (VHF, VHF/DSC, MF, MF/DSC etc) first.
You need to ensure that you are alerting not only the shore authorities
but also nearby vessels that might be able to assist.
EPIRB
Registration
The importance of registering
all the correct information in the emergency position indicating radio
beacon (EPIRB) database at MRCC Falmouth was highlighted on 29 June 2003,
when MRCC Falmouth received a detect-only alert with no position from
a UK-registered beacon. The unique identification number transmitted from
the EPIRB enabled the duty watch at MRCC Falmouth to check the registration
details, which identified it as belonging to the trimaran Meridian.
Further checks established
that the vessel was competing single-handed in the AZAB race (Falmouth
to the AZores And Back). The next satellite pass confirmed a position
of 45 nautical miles south-west of the Scillies; as a result, full broadcast
action was taken to alert shipping, and a helicopter was tasked from RNAS
Culdrose. On arrival at the scene, rescue units located an upturned vessel,
with the single occupant on the hull waiting to be rescued.
Because the EPIRB was registered,
this was a 'text-book' rescue – search-and rescue units knew exactly
where and what they were going to, and the beacon’s continued transmissions
enabled the position to be updated, taking the 'search' out of search
and rescue.
Below is a breakdown of the
registrations held on the UK 406 EPIRB Registry at MRCC Falmouth. Do you
have an EPIRB? Is it registered? If not, why not? Registration is free
and could save your life!
EPIRB
database breakdown up to 25 July 2003
| Type
of vessel |
Number
registered |
| [blank] |
819 |
| AIRCRAFT |
87 |
| FISHING |
1796 |
| MERCHANT |
2378 |
| MOD |
1148 |
| OTHER |
1077 |
| PLB |
149 |
| PLEASURE |
6676 |
| RIG/PLATFORM |
204 |
| Total |
14334 |
|
Q&A
(just the facts)
Q
How do I download Maritime information and application forms from the
Agency’s website?
A
Type www.radio.gov.uk/topics/maritime/maritime-index.htm
into your browser and it will take you directly to the Maritime Radio
page of our site.
Q
Does my Short Range Certificate (SRC) allow me to use longer-range radio
equip-ment such as MF/HF?
A
No, the SRC covers the use of VHF radio equipment only! The certificates
that allow use of MF/HF equipment are the GMDSS General Operator's Certificate
of Competence (GOC), the GMDSS Restricted Operator's Certificate of Competence
(ROC) and the GMDSS Long Range Operator’s Certificate of Competence
(LRC).
Q
Can I, as a private individual, apply for a licence to operate a Maritime
VHF portable on a ferry or cruise liner?
A
No, the vessel is already licensed to carry radio equipment on board and
the Master of the ship is responsible for this equipment’s operation.
Unauth-orised use of equipment could very well compromise the vessel’s
communications systems.
Q
Why do I have to give seemingly irrelevant infor-mation such as 'Emergency
24-hour contact' on a radio licence application form?
A
The Agency needs this information as our database is used to supply details
of all UK vessels to the Maritime Mobile Access and Retrieval System (MARS)
database. This database is available to search-and-rescue (SAR) organisations
worldwide for use in their operations, and they may well need such a contact.
Q
Can I use my Maritime VHF portable radio ashore, to communicate with my
vessel while shopping etc, and does my Ship Radio licence cover this use?
A
No! Marine radio exists for the safety of vessels and the persons involved
with them. It is not a 'walkie-talkie' service. However, you could use
PMR 446 radios – this is a licence-exempt land mobile radio service,
designed for exactly this kind of non-specific use. For details, see the
Agency’s information sheet RA 357.
Q
My vessel is registered under a foreign Flag State. How do I get an MMSI
number for it?
A
You must either apply to that administration for an MMSI, or register
it under the British flag and apply for a UK Ship Radio licence and MMSI.
Details about re-flagging are available from the Registrar of Shipping
and Seamen on 02920 768 200.
Q
If I buy a boat with a radio that hasn't been licensed for more than five
years, can I still apply for its original callsign?
A
Yes, and you stand a good chance of getting it – but this is no
longer guaranteed due to 'callsign recycling'.
Q
When should I buy a GMDSS-compatible VHF/DSC radio for my boat?
A
The MCA's current general advice for pleasure-craft users is: "As
soon as possible or when your existing radio needs replacing. A VHF/DSC
radio gives you a more reliable way of contacting other ships and the
Coastguard when you are in trouble."
Q
Do I need an operator’s certificate to have a maritime radio transceiver
on my boat?
A
No, a maritime radio can legally be 'available for use' on a vessel as
long as the owner has obtained a Ship Radio licence. However, the radio
can only be operated by people who hold the appropriate Certificate of
Competence and Authority to Operate. This requirement does not prevent
the use of the radio to summon assistance in a DISTRESS situation concerning
that vessel.
Sources
of information
 |
| The AMS
team: (back row) Abdus Salam, Duncan Gallon, Joe Darrell, Mike Martin,
Clive Dawkin, Maxine Lodge; (front row) Charles Amah, Susan Choi. |
Radio licensing
policy
General Maritime
licensing enquiries
For Ship Radio, Coastal Station
Radio, Maritime Radio Suppliers or Maritime Navigational Aids and Radar
licences, contact:
Aeronautical and Maritime
Services
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX
Tel: 020 7211 0215/0217
Email: AMS@ra.gsi.gov.uk
For enquiries about the processing
of a Ship Radio licence, contact:
Radio Licensing Centre
PO Box 1495
Bristol BS99 3QS
Tel: 0870 243 4433
Fax: 0117 921 8444
Email: radio.licensing.centre@royalmail.com
Website: www.radiolicencecentre.co.uk
Maritime Radio
Operators' Certification
For general information, call
the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) on 0870 600 6505 or visit www.mcagency.org.uk
For information about the Short
Range Certificate (VHF only), call the Royal Yachting Association on 0845
345 0400 or visit www.rya.org.uk
For information about the Long
Range Certificate, the Restricted Operator's Certificate and the General
Operator's Certificate, call the Association of Marine Electronic &
Radio Colleges on 01539 440 218 or visit www.amerc.ac.uk
Registration
To register 406 MHz EPIRBs,
call the MCA's EPIRB Registry on 01326 211569.
To join or find out about the
MCA Safety Registration Scheme (CG66), download the form at www.mcga.gov.uk/publications/cg66/index.htm
or contact your local Coastguard station.
HM Coastguard Maritime
Rescue Centre (MRCC) MMSI and telephone numbers
| |
MMSI |
Tel |
| Aberdeen |
002320004 |
01224 592334 |
| Belfast |
002320021 |
02891 463933 |
| Brixham |
002320013 |
01803 882704 |
| Clyde |
002320022 |
01475 729988 |
| Dover |
002320010 |
01304 210008 |
| Falmouth |
002320014 |
01326 317575 |
| Forth |
002320005 |
01333 450666 |
| Holyhead |
002320018 |
01407 762051 |
| Humber |
002320007 |
01262 672317 |
| Liverpool |
002320019 |
01519 313341 |
| Milford Haven |
002320017 |
01646 690909 |
| Portland |
002320012 |
01305 760439 |
| Shetland |
002320001 |
01595 692976 |
| Solent |
002320011 |
02392 552100 |
| Stornoway |
002320024 |
01851 702013 |
| Swansea |
002320016 |
01792 366534 |
| Thames |
002320009 |
01255 675518 |
| Yarmouth |
002320008 |
01493 851338 |
Inmarsat
Ltd
For details on Inmarsat satellite
equipment, call 020 7728 1777 or visit www.inmarsat.com
International Telecommunication
Union
For further information, visit
www.itu.int
Radiocommunications
Agency
For information on any aspect
of the Agency's work, visit www.radio.gov.uk, call our
Information and Library Service on 020 7211 0502 or email library@ra.gsi.gov.uk.
Our information sheets include:
Ship Radio
RA 145 Ship Radio licence application form.
RA 367 Amendments/additions to current Ship Radio licence details
RA 385 Ship Portable Radio licence application form
RA 393 Amendments/additions to current Ship Portable Radio licence
RA 258 EPIRBs – safe use, custody and control (includes a 406 MHz
EPIRB registration form)
RA 264 Use of International Maritime VHF channels
RA 273 Channel 16 – non-GMDSS, VHF radiotelephone guidelines for
use
RA 292 Non-GMDSS VHF radiotelephone procedures
RA 364 Ship Radio licence information sheet
RA 391 Maritime Radio Accounting Authorities
Maritime Radio Suppliers
RA 389 Maritime Radio Suppliers licence application form
Coastal Station Radio (CSR)
RA 276 CSR licence application form
RA 290 CSR licence information sheet
RA 394 CSR Training Establishment licence application form
Navigational Aids
RA 277 Maritime Navigational Aids and Radar licence application form.
These information sheets and
others, as well as previous issues of AirWaves, can be downloaded from
the Maritime Radio page of the Agency’s website: www.radio.gov.uk/topics/maritime/maritime-index.htm
