Marine VHF Radio - callsigns and marine communications

Marine VHF Radio Operators Qualification

The minimum requirement for all users of Marine VHF Radio.

Aim: To learn correct Marine VHF Radio operation.
Duration: 6 Hours.
Learning Options: Tutorials or Home Study (See details below).
Prerequisites: None.

Modules:

1. Routine Operation
- Common features & functions
- Pro-words & phonetic alphabet
- Call signs & channel allocation

2. Safety
- Trip reports
- Weather information
- Securite

3. Distress & Urgency
- "Mayday" & "Pan" calls
- EPIRB and SAR

Marine VHF Radio tutorials

Learn from an experienced Coastguard tutor at one of the many delivery sites throughout the country.

Price: Tutorial fees are variable throughout the country. Please obtain a quote from the venue of your choice. Examination fee is $25.
Timetable: Please see the timetable below for details.

Marine VHF Radio Home Study (NEW!!)

Now you can learn in the comfort of your own home at your own pace. Ideal for people who cannot attend a Marine VHF Radio course due to a restricted schedule or geographical location.

Includes: Radio Operator Manual, Study Guide, and Examination Pack.

Available from Coastguard Boating Education, nationwide delivery.

Price: $45
Phone: 0800 40 80 90
Email: info@cbes.org.nz
Office: Floor One, 2 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna, Auckland.

Marine Radio Call signs (nz waters only)

A Marine Radio Call Sign is a unique identification code for your boat. It is registered on the National Search and Rescue database, and provides instant information about your vessel to help SAR personnel find you faster.

Cost: $30
Phone Account: To debit the $30 fee from the phone account you are calling from, dial 0900 54 332.
Credit Card: To charge the $30 fee to your Visa or MasterCard, dial 0800 40 80 90 or download the application from www.cbes.org.nz.
Cheque: To pay the $30 fee by check, download the application from www.cbes.org.nz or phone 0800 40 80 90.

Why it is important to use a Marine VHF Radio:

- To communicate distress immediately.
- Continuous contact with search and rescue nationwide.
- To hear other boaties in distress.
- To get regular weather updates.
- A cell phone lets you talk to one person, a VHF lets you talk to many people.
- It could save your life in an emergency

Ships Radio Licences

A ships radio licence is required for vessels equipped with MF/HF (SSB) and/or
marine VHF radio that are going off shore. To obtain an application form, contact
Coastguard Boating Education (info@cbes.org.nz). Click here to download.

A Maritime Ship (radio) Licence consists of a licence number, a call sign number,
an MMSI number and depending on the vessel type, a radio telex number. The
Maritime Ship Licence is an individual radio licence granted to the owner of the
vessel.

The licence recorded in the online Register of Radio Frequencies (RRF) is
recognized by overseas administrations under agreements with the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU). A certified extract of the maritime ship licence
can be printed from the RRF (www.rsm.med.govt.nz) as evidence to provide to
overseas port authorities. A “Ship” describes any vessel from a small run-about to
an ocean going cargo vessel.

Vessels that require a ships radio licence include:

- Commercial vessels (New Zealand registered) that are operating within
New Zealand waters or going off shore
- Recreational vessels (New Zealand registered) going offshore
- Compulsory equipped vessels that use Morse code
- Compulsory equipped vessels that use radio telephone for charter services and
public transport

Note:

- Commercial and New Zealand registered vessels seeking special call signs or
   four-letter call signs (e.g. ZMAB) should contact Radio Spectrum on
   04 462 4245 or email info@rsm.govt.nz .
- New Zealand call signs can only be issued to vessels registered in New Zealand.
   If the vessel is registered overseas then you must contact the licensing
   authority of that country to obtain a callsign.
- Only persons, who are New Zealand citizens, or permanent residents of New
   Zealand, may be granted a New Zealand maritime call sign. Please provide a
   copy of proof of New Zealand citizenship or residency with this application. To
   operate a MF/HF (SSB) radio, a Maritime Restricted Operator Certificate (MROC)
   is the minimum requirement.
- Full details are recorded in the Register of Radio Frequencies and made available
   for public inspection. This includes the name and address of the licence holder.
   Clients have the right to request that their residential address be withheld from
   public access. Requests must be made in writing to the Registrar of Radio
   Frequencies, Private Bag 92061, Auckland.

Payment:

The current annual licence fee is $350* for recreational for commercial vessels.
The fee must be paid in advance before the licence is issued. Once payment has
been validated the licence is automatically granted and an email sent to the
address supplied. Coastguard Boating Education has an additional $30 fee for
administering the licence application. Both payments will be deducted from the
credit card details you have supplied. Only Visa or Mastercard credit cards will be
accepted as a form of payment.

*The annual licence fee refers to the billing month when you are first registered as

a client of Radio Spectrum Management.

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No courses listed or can't find a course that suits? Contact Coastguard Boating Education:
to make an enquiry or free phone 0800 40 80 90.

Timetable of Tutorials

Region A - Northland
Venue	Phone	Start	Finish	Contact	Comments
Coopers Beach	09 406 1380			Don Hounsell	Please contact to register interest
Dargaville High School	09 439 7229 x 709			Community Education	Contact to register interest
Dargaville High School	09 439 7229 x 709	21/10/08	28/10/08	Dale Shick	2xTuesday evenings
North Tec - Kerikeri	0800 162 100	14/10/2008		North Tec	Tuesday Evenings
Northland Polytechnic - Kerikeri	0800 162 100			Doug Jenkins	Contact to register interest
Rawene - Northland	09 405 7704			Graeme Darroch	Please contact to register interest
Ruawai College	09 439 2216			Tracey Cartier	Contact to Register Interest
Tikipunga High School	09 436 2879			Kerry Thomas	Please contact to register interest
Whangarei Coasdguard	0508 737283	07/09/2008	07/09/2008	Liz Norquay	Sunday 9am-3pm.
Whatuwhiwhi - Far North	0274 790 650			John Dunn	Contact to register interest
Region B - Auckland
Venue	Phone	Start	Finish	Contact	Comments
Boatcourses Westhaven	0508 262 863	09/11/2008	09/11/2008	Sarah	Sunday 9am-3:30pm
Boatcourses Westhaven	0508 262 863	23/08/2008	23/08/2008	Sarah	Saturday 9am-3:30pm
Boatcourses Westhaven	0508 262 863	21/09/2008	21/08/2008	Sarah	Sunday 9am-3:30pm
Boatcourses Westhaven	0508 262 863	29/11/2008	29/11/2008	Sarah	Saturday 9am-3:30pm
Boatcourses Westhaven	0508 262 863	14/12/2008	14/12/2008	Sarah	Sunday 9am-3:30pm
Boatcourses Westhaven	0508 262 863	05/10/2008	05/10/2008	Sarah	Sunday 9am-3:30pm
Boatcourses Westhaven	0508 262 863	02/08/2008	02/08/2008	Sarah	Saturday 9am-3:30pm
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club	09 362 0398			Mick Courtnell	Contact to register interest
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club	09 362 0398	04/08/2008	07/08/2008	Mick Courtnell	Monday & Thursday 6-9pm
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club	09 362 0398	15/09/2008	18/09/2008	Mick Courtnell	Monday & Thursday 6-9pm
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club	09 362 0398	13/10/2008	16/10/2008	Mick Courtnell	Monday & Thursday 6-9pm
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club	09 362 0398	17/11/2008	20/11/2008	Mick Courtnell	Monday & Thursday 6-9pm
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club	09 362 0398	01/12/2008	04/12/2008	Mick Courtnell	Monday & Thursday 6-9pm
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club	09 362 0398	15/12/2008	18/12/2008	Mick Courtnell	Monday & Thursday 6-9pm
Coastguard Maritime School	09 303 9364	05/11/2008	12/11/2008	Liz Norquay	Women only course. 2xWednesdays 9:30am-12:30pm
Coastguard Maritime School	09 303 9364	14/12/2008	14/12/2008	Liz Norquay	Sunday 9am-3pm.
Coastguard Maritime School	09 303 9364	29/09/2008	06/10/2008	Liz Norquay	2xMondays 7pm-10pm.
Coastguard Maritime School	09 303 9364	08/09/2008	15/09/2008	Liz Norquay	2xMondays 7pm-10pm.
Coastguard Maritime School	09 303 9364	19/10/2008	19/10/2008	Liz Norquay	Sunday 9am-3pm.
Coastguard Maritime School	09 303 9364	16/11/2008	16/11/2008	Liz Norquay	Sunday 9am-3pm.
Coastguard Maritime School	09 303 9364	27/11/2008	04/12/2008	Liz Norquay	2xThursdays 7pm-10pm.
Green Bay High School	09 817 5376	06/08/2008	13/08/2008	Community Education	2xWednesday 6:30pm-9pm
Mahurangi Technical Institute	09 425 8493			Unknown	Contact to register interest
Manurewa High School	09 268 3892			Contact: David Harvey	Please contact to register interest
Maraetai	09 303 9364	23/09/2008	30/09/2008	Liz Norquay	2xTuesdays 7pm-10pm.
Massey University - Albany	09 303 9364			Liz Norquay	Contact to register interest
Massey University - Albany	09 303 9364	11/10/2008	11/10/2008	Liz Norquay	Saturday 9am-3pm.
Massey University - Albany	09 303 9364	23/11/2008	23/11/2008	Liz Norquay	Sunday 9am-3pm.
Northcote College	09 481 0144			Community Education	Contact to register interest
NZ Maritime School - City	09 379 4997				2nd & 4th Monday of the month
Orewa College	09 426 8244	02/12/2008	09/12/2008	Community Education	2xTuesday evenings
Orewa College	09 426 8244	09/09/2008	16/09/2008	Community Education	2xTuesday evenings
Orewa College	09 426 8213			Community Education	Contact to Register Interest
Outboard Boating Club	09 303 9364	08/11/2008	08/11/2008	Liz Norquay	Saturday 9am-3pm.
Rutherford College	09 834 4099			Community Education	Please contact to register interest
Rutherford College	09 834 4099	05/11/2008	12/11/2008	Community Education	2xWednesdays 6:30-9pm
Selwyn College	09 521 9623			Community Education	2008 Dates TBA
Selwyn College	09 521 9623	30/07/2008	06/08/2008	Community Education	2xWednesdays 6-9pm
Waiheke High School	09 372 6417			Lynne Stewart	Contact to Register Interest
Waiuku College	09 235 8139				Please contact to register interest
Westlake Boys High School	09 4105617			Betty	Please contact to register interest
Region C - Waikato / BOP
Venue	Phone	Start	Finish	Contact	Comments
Cambridge High School	07 823 1420			Alan Gooch	End of April. Please contact to register interest
Gisborne Area	06 868 6280			TBA	Contact to register interest
Hamilton	0508 737283	07/09/2008	07/09/2008	Liz Norquay	Sunday 9am-3pm.
Hamilton Area	07 855 5673			Harry Frisbie	Please contact to register interest
Hamilton Area	021 222 1341			Greg Frampton	Contact to register interest.
Raglan Coastguard	027 602 8036			Viv Regnier	Contact to Register Interest
Rotorua VCG	07 348 3314			Graham Douglas	Please contact to register interest
Tauranga VCG	07 578 5579			TBA	3rd Tuesday & Wednesday every month
Thames	09 303 4303	04/10/2008	04/10/2008	Liz Norquay	Saturday 9am-3pm.
Whakatane VCG	07 3087110				Please contact to register interest
Whitianga	07 8671254			Dick Wilson	Please contact to register interest
Region D - Central North Island
Venue	Phone	Start	Finish	Contact	Comments
Coastguard Taranaki	06 758 3750			Graham Cowling	Please contact to register interest
Hawkes Bay Volunteer Coastguard	06 875 1222			Rod Smith	Please phone to register interest
Napier Area	06 875 1222			Rod Smith	Contact to Register Interest
Region E - Lower North Island
Venue	Phone	Start	Finish	Contact	Comments
Dolphin Sailing Academy	04 586 0699			Terry Bach	Please contact to register interest
Feilding High School	06 323 4029	31/07/2008	07/08/2008	Community Education	2x Thursdays 7-9:15pm
Lowry Bay Yacht Club	04 586 0699			Terry Bach	VHF & SSB Radio. Contact to register interest
Mana College	04 2375424			Ian Webb	2nd Thursday of each month
Manawatu Marine Boating Club	06 3638386			Allan Wakeling	Please contact to register interest
Manawatu Marine Boating Club	06 359 1592	23/08/2008	23/08/2008	Allan Wakeling	1xSaturday 1pm-5pm. Bookings through Queen Elizabeth College
Queen Elizabeth College	06 359 1592			TBA	Contact to register interest
Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club	04 939 6702			Matt Wood	Contact to register interest
Waikanae Boating Club	04 2932435			Frank Tilly	Please contact to register interest phone 04 902 3584
Wairarapa College	06 379 7802			Graeham Wiblin	Please contact to register interest
Wairarapa College	06 379 7802	09/08/2008	09/08/2008	Graeham Wiblin	Saturday 9am-3pm
Wanganui City College	06 349 0180			Betty	Contact to register interest. RRTOC also available.
Wellington Coastguard	027 244 6098	11/10/2008		Dave Watson	Saturday 9am-1:30pm
Wellington Coastguard	027 244 6098			Dave Watson	Maritime Restricted Operator. Contact to register interest.
Wellington High School	04 385 8919			Dave Watson	Please contact to register interest
Wellington Volunteer Coastguard	04 380 9676			Dave Watson	Please contact to register interest
Region F - Upper South Island
Venue	Phone	Start	Finish	Contact	Comments
Greymouth	03 768 0793			Grant Crook	Please contact to register interest
Kaikoura Coastguard	03 319 5138			Mike Kennedy	Restricted Radio. Contact to register interest
Nelson Fish & Game	03 544 4642			Brian Davis	Please contact to register interest
Nelson Sealord Rescue Centre	03 547 3513	02/09/2008	09/09/2008	Brian or Hilary Tear	2 Tuesdays 7-9pm
Nelson Sealord Rescue Centre	03 547 3513	03/12/2008	10/12/2008	Brian or Hilary Tear	2 Wednesdays 7-9pm
Nelson Sealord Rescue Centre	03 547 3513	19/08/2008	19/08/2008	Hilary Tear	Women's VHF operator course Tuesday 9.30-2.30pm
Picton area	03 573 6591			Tony Cooper	Contact to Register Interest
Takaka	0274 463 891			Allan Kilgour	Contact to register interest
Region G - Christchurch / Canterbury
Venue	Phone	Start	Finish	Contact	Comments
Ashburton College	03 308 2188			John Lucking	Please contact to register interest
Coastguard Timaru	027 203 0848			Tony Lister	Contact to register interest
HMNZS Pegasus	03 3899 259	18/09/2008	18/09/2008	Mike Rossouw	1x Thursday 6:00pm - 9:30pm
HMNZS Pegasus	03 3899 259	28/08/2008	28/08/2008	Mike Rossouw	1x Thursday 6:00pm - 9:30pm
HMNZS Pegasus	03 3899 259	11/12/2008	11/12/2008	Mike Rossouw	1x Thursday 6:00pm - 9:30pm
HMNZS Pegasus	03 3899 259	27/11/2008	27/11/2008	Mike Rossouw	1x Thursday 6:00pm - 9:30pm
HMNZS Pegasus	03 3899 259	30/10/2008	30/10/2008	Mike Rossouw	1x Thursday 6:00pm - 9:30pm
Lyttelton, Christchurch	0800 212 628	28/08/2008	28/08/2008	Peter Marshall	Thursday 6-9.30pm
Lyttelton, Christchurch	0800 212 628	25/09/2008	25/09/2008	Peter Marshall	Thursday 6-9.30pm
Lyttelton, Christchurch	0800 212 628	23/10/2008	23/10/2008	Peter Marshall	Thursday 6-9.30pm
Lyttelton, Christchurch	0800 212 628	27/11/2008	27/11/2008	Peter Marshall	Thursday 6-9.30pm
Rangiora High School	0275 262 833			Glenn Scott	Please phone to register interest
Timaru Fishing School	0800 22 33 87			Jenni	Please contact to register interest
Region H - Lower South Island
Venue	Phone	Start	Finish	Contact	Comments
Invercargill	0800 40 80 90			CBES	No tutorials at present. Home Study available .
Lake Dunstan Yacht Club	03 4543 262			Martin Balch	Contact to register interest.
Otago Yacht Club	03 454 3262	21/10/2008	23/10/2008	Martin Balch	Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm - 9.30pm
Otago Yacht Club	03 454 3262	19/08/2008	21/08/2008	Martin Balch	Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm - 9.30pm
Otago Yacht Club	03 454 3262	16/09/2008	18/09/2008	Martin Balch	Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm - 9.30pm
Otago Yacht Club	03 454 3262	18/11/2008	20/11/2008	Martin Balch	Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm - 9.30pm
Wanaka Marine	03 443 9062			Ian Brown	Please contact to register interest

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