VHF Short Range Radio Course
Posted by bollinsl on December 6, 2008
I attended the VHF course run by Sea-Craft in the Motor Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire on Thursday 27 November 7.30 pm – 10.00 pm and Sunday 30 November 2008 9.00 am – 4.30 pm. This was followed by exam on SOLAS (Safety of Live at Sea) amd an exam on Regulations and Procedure, followed by practical test / interview.
Finished at 8.30 pm.
The cost was €204
- €204
- Course fee and notes €125
- Examiners fee €35
- Department of Transport charge €44
Coffee and tea were supplied on Sunday, and there was a bar.
Certificate
On successful completion of the course, the Department issues a “Radio Operators Short Range Certificate of Competance”.
This means that the holder may use VHF DSC equipment on a ship entitled to fly the flag of the country which issues the certificate, in my case Ireland.
Licence
Once you have the certificate you may apply for a Ship Station Licence from Comreg, and if you have bought a second hand boat, the licence can be transferred for €30.
The licence will include:
- Name of boat
- Date of Issue
- The boat’s call sign e.g. EI 9999
- If you have DSC, a MMSI number is included, e.g. 250 123 456
- Name of Licensee
- The Accounting Authority Indicator Code
If a vessel is sold, the call sign and MMSI are cancelled.
The licence lasts for the lifetime of the . If a boat is sold, you can transfer a licence for €30 using this form, and previous owner also have to send a form to the Department of Transport.
