Procedure For Contacting Marine Rescue/using Vhf?

[fryboy]

Hi all,

Just wondering if there is a simple procedure posted somewhere, or if another member could summarise, how and when to log in and out with Marine Rescue. Also, can someone summarise the best way to use the VHF when disabled and requiring a tow etc...

I've searched the Marine Rescue site, but cant find a simple to follow guide.

Appreciate any help.

thanks

Fryboy

[Day's Fishin]

Hi Fryboy, your supposed to half a licence for a vhf and apart of getting the approval for using it you will have to go to a course. They show you how and when to use the radio.

Regards Jeff

[fryboy]

Thanks Jeff,

I'm very confused with this, as the ACMA website says:

Class licences authorise the operation of a number of devices commonly used on vessels. These include:

• 27 MHz and VHF marine radio equipment;
• Mobile and satellite phones;
• Inmarsat communications equipment;
• Marine radar;
• Low power on-board UHF equipment;
• EPIRBs; and
• Citizens Band (CB) radio equipment.

Class licences are open, standing authorities that allow anyone to operate particular radiocommunications equipment provided that the operation and the device are in keeping with the condition of the licence. Class licences do not have to be applied for and no licence fees are payable.

That seems to suggest no licence required.

Fryboy

[framedtrash]

Jeff is correct

to operate a VHF radio you need a license

FR has organized courses in the past do a search for the thread of PM a mod for info

[BWV]

Contact you local coast guard, tafe or look in local papers for the Marine Radio Operaters Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP) which will leagally allow you to use MF/HF and VHF radio's. Or the is a restricted version that allows you to use a VHF under the Radiocommunications Act 1992. I think its a 2 or 4 day course.

Edited September 23, 2010 by Whaler 255

[nsaykali]

if you continue reading that page where you got that info from you will find you do need a licence.

Operator qualifications

VHF and MF/HF marine radio equipment and Inmarsat (A, B, C) Satellite communications equipment carried on board a vessel must be under the control of a qualified operator at all times. All coast stations must also be under the control of a qualified operator.

Most operators choose to obtain a Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP), which covers the operation of both VHF and MF/HF equipment. The Marine Radio Operators VHF Certificate of Proficiency (MROVCP) has a somewhat simpler syllabus, but only covers the operation of VHF equipment. The Marine Satellite Communications Certificate of Endorsement (Satellite Endorsement) may be added to either the MROCP or the MROVCP if use of Inmarsat equipment is required.

Inmarsat-C equipment that only supports the operation of a Vessel Monitoring System does not require operator qualifications.

Many TAFEs and marine organisations offer courses leading to examination for the MROCP. Such courses are not compulsory and many candidates for examination successfully self study. However, the examination for the Satellite Endorsement should follow conclusion of an approved course of study, including practical instruction in the use of Inmarsat communications equipment. The Australian Maritime College (AMC) provides the marine examination and certificate service on behalf of the ACMA. The AMC can provide the details of organisations and individuals offering courses and or conducting exams.

Operators of a Ship station class C or a Major coast station are required to hold a GMDSS General Operators Certificate of Proficiency (GOCP) issued by AMSA. This is a higher level qualification involving detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of marine radio and satellite communications equipment. AMSA has accredited a number of educational institutions to conduct GOCP examinations at the conclusion of a relevant course of instruction. For further information, licensees should contact AMSA.

Information about operator qualifications is contained in the ACMA Information Papers Maritime Coast Stations - Certificates of Proficiency and Maritime Ship Stations - Certificates of Proficiency. Information about operator qualifications is also contained in a fact sheet entitled Marine Certificates of Proficiency.

[Ken McManus]

Hi Fryboy. Saw your post last week and the info you need is now on the Marine Rescue NSW website www.marinerescuensw.com.au. Hover over 'Marine Radio Network' and a link to 'Using your marine radio' will appear. We're currently rebuilding our site and some significant advances will be seen shortly. The confusion over a "licence" is understandable. In the marine radio context the licence refers to a right to OWN the equipment ready to USE it. The 'class licence' applicable to both 27MHz and VHF means there's no need to apply for a licence to own/install the equipment on your boat. Next is the right to USE the equipment. No formal qualification is need to use a 27MHz set and this is often painfully obvious to anyone who is listening. However to use a VHF set a Marine Radio Operators VHF Certificate of Proficiency (MROVCP) is needed. If you want to OWN/INSTALL a Medium Frequency/High Frequency set(MF/HF)a licence from ACMA IS required. To USE a MF/HF set a more advanced operators certificate is needed - a MROCP. Marine Rescue units provide training courses for both 27MHz use (usually half a day)and VHF (usually several hour a day/evening for several days). Being located on the Northern Beaches your closes MR unit is Broken Bay at Bayview - tel 02 9999 3554 or check the Education tab on their website www.marinerescuebrokenbay.org.au/ Finally, as as someone who is obviously interested in safe boating, you may also be interested in the introduction of CompassNet, a new radio club for boaties that will be starting this summer. Click on the CompasNet logo on the homepage of the main MR website. Regards - Marine Rescue Ken

[fryboy]

Hi Ken,

thats an excellent response, exactly the sort of summary I was looking for - thankyou. Also, thanks for clarifying the 'owning' versus 'using' for the licence, that makes it clear now.

Here is the link straight to that page for anyone else reading this thread.. http://www.marinerescuensw.com.au/index.php/marine-radio-network/using-your-marine-radio/

I've also contacted the Marine Rescue Terrey Hills and got the date for the next course.

really appreciate your help.

regards

Jeff

[mrsswordfisherman]

Hi Fryboy. Saw your post last week and the info you need is now on the Marine Rescue NSW website www.marinerescuensw.com.au. Hover over 'Marine Radio Network' and a link to 'Using your marine radio' will appear. We're currently rebuilding our site and some significant advances will be seen shortly. The confusion over a "licence" is understandable. In the marine radio context the licence refers to a right to OWN the equipment ready to USE it. The 'class licence' applicable to both 27MHz and VHF means there's no need to apply for a licence to own/install the equipment on your boat. Next is the right to USE the equipment. No formal qualification is need to use a 27MHz set and this is often painfully obvious to anyone who is listening. However to use a VHF set a Marine Radio Operators VHF Certificate of Proficiency (MROVCP) is needed. If you want to OWN/INSTALL a Medium Frequency/High Frequency set(MF/HF)a licence from ACMA IS required. To USE a MF/HF set a more advanced operators certificate is needed - a MROCP. Marine Rescue units provide training courses for both 27MHz use (usually half a day)and VHF (usually several hour a day/evening for several days). Being located on the Northern Beaches your closes MR unit is Broken Bay at Bayview - tel 02 9999 3554 or check the Education tab on their website www.marinerescuebrokenbay.org.au/ Finally, as as someone who is obviously interested in safe boating, you may also be interested in the introduction of CompassNet, a new radio club for boaties that will be starting this summer. Click on the CompasNet logo on the homepage of the main MR website. Regards - Marine Rescue Ken

Hi Ken and thanks for the post.

Looking forward to any email info that you wish to be posted up on fishraider for our members

mrsswordfisherman