Marine Radios – Who must carry one? Licensing and certification.

Depending on your local state maritime laws, you may be required to carry a marine radio when travelling offshore (in Victorian waters, it is law beyond 2 Nautical Miles from land). There are 3 different types of marine radio:

• 27mHz : No license required to own or use. Short range communication only (line of sight)
• VHF : No license required to own, but proficiency certificate required to use outside emergency situations. Good short range communication and required by law to be carried on commercial boats.
• MF/HF : medium to long range communication, highly recommended for boats travelling more than 200 nautical miles offshore. An operators license is required to use an MF/HF Radio and a license is required to own one. The boat is also issued with an official Australian marine radio callsign for use on the MH/HF radio.

When at sea, you must have your radio turned on and tuned to the distress frequency.

• 27mHz Transceivers: 27.88MHz (channel 88) with 27.86MHz as a supplementary
• VHF Transceivers: Channel 16 with channel 67 as a supplementary
• MF/HF transceivers:
  • Distress and calling 4125, 6215, 8291KHz
  • Navigational warning 8176KHz

Operators of VHF and MF/HF marine radios must hold a Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency . Courses for this qualification are coordinated by the Australian Maritime College, in Tasmania and volunteer invigilator (exam supervisor) around the country. Other boat occupants should be encouraged to have a working understanding of the radio for emergency use.

1. Marine Radio Operator's Certificate of Proficiency (for VHF & MF/HF radio operations)- MROCP
2. Marine Radio Operator's VHF Certificate of Proficiency (for VHF radio operations) - MROVCP
3. Marine Satellite Communications Certificate of Endorsement - MSCCE (SATCOM)

A Mobile phone is no substitute!