VHF warning to boat owners

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is calling on boat owners and users to double check that they hold a certificate of proficiency to operate their VHF marine radios.

VHF marine radios provide a valuable means of keeping in contact with other vessels and coast stations, particularly at times when the weather changes or when assistance is needed.

The number of vessels on Australian waterways is increasing. The proportion of boats that are fitted with marine radios is also increasing as more competitively priced equipment has led to an increase in the use of radios on boats and other craft.

"Many boat owners who do not hold an operator’s certificate may not realise they are breaking the law when they operate their VHF marine radios," said Chris Chapman, ACMA chairman.

"VHF international maritime mobile channels are internationally harmonised and are used for gaining assistance during emergencies and for general working purposes."

Channel 16 is designated, internationally, as the emergency and calling channel for ships and small craft. A vessel’s crew may use channel 16 to call other vessels and coast stations but, once communication has been established, the operators must change to a working channel to continue the conversation. This ensures channel 16 remains available for emergency situations and other calls.

"Operators who hold an appropriate operator’s certificate of proficiency know about calling protocols and how the channels are used. Unfortunately, there are operators who are not qualified and not familiar with correct operating procedures and, as a result, are disrupting communications. That simple behaviour further threatens safety of life," said Chapman.

Operation of radio transceivers, on the VHF IMM channels, is governed by conditions set by the ACMA. These conditions specify that operators must be qualified and hold an appropriate certificate. This certificate must be either the Marine Radio Operators VHF Certificate of Proficiency (MROVCP) or the more comprehensive Marine Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency (MROCP).