Salar
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Posts: 98
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Post by Salar on Jan 12, 2009 22:04:01 GMT
It's a life thing, another reason why it makes sense to take it. Is it life-long? I'm sure I over-heard someone in the compound saying that they had to re-new their license. I would have thought that with new technology operators would have to be re-tested once in a while? The new DSC procedures would now need to be incorporated in the course & test. The operators certificate is for your lifetime but the reason people have to re-take an exam is because they later introduced the DSC features which are in addition to the old VHF operators requirements. You can take an exam just for the extra bits but most people I know took the whole thing again as a refresher. |
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Post by Pete B on Jan 12, 2009 22:06:39 GMT
I think its the RYA (short range course), not sure though.......can you tell that I haven't got my license Plenty of places do courses (Google for one near you) but RYA are one of the main authorities to run the exam and issue the licence. You can learn for free on this site www.egmdss.com/en/ Using a VHF radio at sea without doing the course and holding an operators certificate is not only illegal it is dowright dumb and dangerous. It could put you and others in danger by not knowing the correct procedures in the event of an emergency. There are people out there who haven't done the course (it is painfully obvious to all those listening on VHF when one comes on) but I can't understand why not, nobody fails it and it costs no more than the petrol for a couple of fishing trips. Sorry, rant over. You can tell I feel strongly about it. Of course, totally correct, the course should be taken but I agree with Mike, most small boat anglers dont have a license. I'm not saying its right but never the less true. In an ideal world the course & test should be taken. In real terms if the user is not qualified that doesn't mean that the radio can't be operated correctly. It's far safer to go boating with a VHF on board even without a license than to go boating with no VHF at all. |
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Post by michael1923 on Jan 12, 2009 22:17:07 GMT
I'll shut up then. Salar has given some very good official points. Most people out and about wont have a license. . NOT true. Most people do. Dangerously wrong advice. It is a legal requirement. If you can't use a VHF, and a Mayday situation can get very complex, you may not end up being picked up at all. However, i think you'll find most people dont have a license. An average weekend on the solent. (No chance) I'll say again, in my opinion. Very useful, but in a 14ft boat pottering around not the be all and end all. Yes i know its probably not the wisest thing to say (but the guy has asked for help, preaching doesn't help anyone) As soon as you call mayday your call is triangulated and even if you dont get any other words out, odds are they will be on there way very soon, or at least relaying messages to people in your vicinity. Now tell me i'm wrong. |
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Post by michael1923 on Jan 12, 2009 22:26:52 GMT
Look mate, you are asking for help so you obviously aren't daft.
Everything salar has said is correct but i feel the answer i have given is the answer in the real world.
If you can take the course you wont regret it and even if you dont take the course make sure you have a vhf radio of some sort and dont be frightened of using it if you need to.
It may save your life better that than not using it when you need to.
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Salar
crew member
Live to Fish
Posts: 98
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Post by Salar on Jan 12, 2009 22:29:42 GMT
I can't speak for everyone on the Solent but everyone I know has an operator's certificate. From listening to VHF channels I think anglers and small speedboat owners probably have the lowest % of operator competency, but that doesn't make it right. I'll give you a few examples: I was listening to a Mayday from a small boat this summer, the guy didn't know his phonetic alphabet, nor was he saying "over", so there was real confusion with the Coastguard about where he was and what the problem was. Another real situation only last month, a boat about 7 miles south of the Island fouled its prop in some nets, they gave out the wrong position and it took a while to locate them. Final scenario, not real but possible, you are out fishing on the Spoils, you hear a faint Mayday, and you don't hear the Coastguard respond. How would you organise a Mayday Relay if you didn't know how? Meanwhile that boat could be sinking.
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Post by littlejoe1974 on Jan 12, 2009 22:47:39 GMT
i would like to thank everyone for posting responses and opinions for better or for worse- you all have your own views and i have mine, which is ...i shall not be going on the water without the correct safety and communication equipment and backed up by the relevant training but you nust bear this thought in mind ..is it right to drive a car without training or a license just because you can?
my bed beckons and i will return to this post tomorrow to read any other interesting opinions on the vhf license requirement
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Post by michael1923 on Jan 12, 2009 22:57:59 GMT
I can assure you in a real Mayday situation, The coastguard know where you are, as long as you can push the transmit button and say 'mayday'. I could prove it to you but i wont say how on here.
The radio operators are very highly trained and will know when the station calling them has stopped transmitting as they will hear a click, 'over' is a nicesty. Why know the phonetic alphabet as long as you could say B for budgie, T for trouble etc How many times have you been on the phone to a call centre and not understood the person on the end when there giving you a reference number, they dont always use the correct phonetic alphabet but you still come away with the right numbers and letters.
We could go on all day but the fact is i'm not disagreeing with you, You just bit. I was giving advice that would save someones life not make them a perfect VHF operator.
In an ideal world everyone should hold a license but it doesn't work that way always.
Look i'm probably the one that has given mis-advice but hey, if anyone doesn't have the cash flow to do the course and would like to at least have an idea of how it all works feel free to ask on here.
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Post by lighty on Jan 13, 2009 1:09:47 GMT
Its a long,long time since I got my vhf operators licence but they are for Life I believe? you do need an operators licence to operate the radio and a seperate Radio licence which is a bit like having to have a dog licence to own one.
The course is not at all like the Radio hams licence, if it was then hardly any skippers would have one lol, but it is no big deal taking the course, it last about 2 hours and is very simple to take in.
If I remember rightly it was always taken for granted that the coastguard would rather you used an unlicenced radio to call for help than not call at all!
Take a handheld compass on board and at least two anchors in case of mishap; the rest you probably know.
lighty
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Post by Canuck on Jan 13, 2009 12:54:24 GMT
I think anyone out at sea should take the course and get a licence ( its a one off payment and your ship station licence is now free). You learn the various call signs (MAYDAY, MAYDAY RELAY, PAN PAN, PAN PAN MEDICO ETC) that are used by the rescue services and coast guard ,and general radio speak. It'll now cost about as much as a decent multiplier, I think most people would by the reel and think the coarse too expensive but there you go!
Thats my thoughts.
Rich
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Post by maverick on Jan 13, 2009 13:31:00 GMT
Yes it is life long unless taken years ago before DSC. If you upgrade from an ordinary vhf to a DSC set then you must/should upgrade your license. In this case most schools will reccomend or require you to do the full course which is not a bad thing imo
Martin
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Post by Dave.S on Jan 17, 2009 2:53:04 GMT
Hi Mike To answer some of your other original questions about road testing plotters and fish finders, check out my web site, see signature below and also www.boat-angling.co.uk it may help you out. Regards Dave  |
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Post by solentranger on Jan 17, 2009 19:57:44 GMT
Most people out and about wont have a license. . NOT true. Most people do. Dangerously wrong advice. It is a legal requirement. If you can't use a VHF, and a Mayday situation can get very complex, you may not end up being picked up at all. I would suggest as Pete has, a handheld radio, .... The must for me is communication if i get in trouble, VHF radio or as a very last resort a mobile. Buy a VHF radio, learn how to use it, then buy the other bits of kit if your budget is tight. A mobile is useful as a last resort. Obviously Mr Salar feels very strongly about this subject, agreed safety is paramount when setting to sea, no argument there. I have to say that such rigid and authoritative advice could be detrimental. I personally would much prefer that anglers went afloat with a radio than without, regardless of license. Boat owning is staggeringly expensive, we all know that. Starting out and kitting out your craft is the most expensive bit. A VHF radio has got to be every boaters number one purchase. If such an emphasis is made on the importance of obtaining a license at a cost of £120 before buying the radio then that £150 bit of kit will be considered a £270 purchase by the newbie boater which maybe enough to put off the purchase temporarily or altogether. My advice would be if your going afloat make sure you have a VHF on board. Courses & tests can come later. We have to remember that our contributions here build an archive, that will possibly be viewed for years to come by boat owners & potential boat anglers of all abilities. |
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Salar
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Live to Fish
Posts: 98
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Post by Salar on Jan 17, 2009 22:58:10 GMT
Obviously Mr Salar feels very strongly about this subject, agreed safety is paramount when setting to sea, no argument there. I have to say that such rigid and authoritative advice could be detrimental. I personally would much prefer that anglers went afloat with a radio than without, regardless of license. Boat owning is staggeringly expensive, we all know that. Starting out and kitting out your craft is the most expensive bit. A VHF radio has got to be every boaters number one purchase. If such an emphasis is made on the importance of obtaining a license at a cost of £120 before buying the radio then that £150 bit of kit will be considered a £270 purchase by the newbie boater which maybe enough to put off the purchase temporarily or altogether. My advice would be if your going afloat make sure you have a VHF on board. Courses & tests can come later. We have to remember that our contributions here build an archive, that will possibly be viewed for years to come by boat owners & potential boat anglers of all abilities. You are right, Mr Salar does have strong opinions about this because the sea is a dangerous place and the thread was started by a newcomer to boating asking about safety. Some of the replies were irresponsible so I had to put my twopennorth in. Going to sea without safety equipment and knowing how to use it is just plain stupid and dangerous, and if you can't afford both, then don't go to sea. Simple. Saying to someone that most people don't have a licence to use a VHF so its OK to use one anyway is like saying to a kid not to worry about the Green Cross Code, most people just run across the road. If you listen to the RNLI, RYA, harbour authorities and any professional they will all tell you the same thing - get trained, get the safety kit, know what you are doing or stay ashore. If there is a rise in accidents and fatalities at sea as a result of people not taking care of themselves we'll end up with Nanny State taking control like they do in Germany where you can't take a boat out without loads of exams and licences. Paying a "staggering" amount of money for a boat then not paying £65 + £25 for a days course and licence that could save your life just beggers belief. |
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Post by michael1923 on Jan 19, 2009 23:14:48 GMT
 hi its me mike again can anyone advise me as to what is the minimum electronic equipment i will need to go boat fishing around the coastal waters of wales. i am looking to get a vhf radio and some sort of either fish/depth finder or a chart plotter ( these are things i have seen advertised in abundance and feel i must have at least one of each) is there any one out there who has field tested any items listed above and could offer advice to an absolute novice . i have been fishing with charter skippers for 20 years and now i have taken the plunge and bought my own boat. its a cjr 14 dayboat with a 40hp mercury i have owned it now for nearly 2 months and it has been parked up on my drive and i really want to get out on the waves but only with the right safety equipment. i have life jackets, flares lights hand held gps etc but no means of communicating to the shore or other boats so if you feel you have some pointers that may help me no matter how insignificant they may seem , they will be more than welcome keen as mustard  Back to the original question. Electronic safety equipment - VHF radio is a must. Gps/fishfinder great, will help more for fishing than safety however will identify shallow water. I always wanted to be a priest but i gave up preaching years ago. |
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Post by michael1923 on Jan 19, 2009 23:44:16 GMT
Most people out and about wont have a license. The course would be a very useful tool but not a requirement in my opinion, as long as you can call mayday i cant see the RNLI checking to see if you have a license before picking you up. This is what i said, read the exact words. Where does it say 'Saying to someone that most people don't have a licence to use a VHF so its OK to use one anyway' You should start up your own course, Really get behind it and see if you can single handly change opinions and get everyone licensed. I am being totally serious. Try and see. I have a feeling all those guys that go out a few hundred yards in there 12 ft open boats won't join in infact i dont even think they will have a vhf. I think it's very single minded to preach the way you have, if i took you for your words i couldn't go to sea on my lilo without having a vhf radio and license. i quote you 'Going to sea without safety equipment and knowing how to use it is just plain stupid and dangerous' Open your eyes and realise there are many more situations when a vhf can and will be used. What happens if the skipper of a boat (who holds the license) faints, has a heart attack or whatever. Should the person out with them not call mayday as they haven't got a license or maybe the skipper should not have taken them in the first place just incase that situation arose. How petty this has all got. That's two of us now you have bit at. You've had your say and i've had mine, now let others have theirs without fear of you throwing your toys out of your pram again. |
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