Powerboat Information

VHF Marine Radios

As of July 2024:

Both large powerboat have VHF Marine radios. They are both the same units from iCom, model IC-M411.

Ribcraft (controls on LHS):

This has access to all International channels and is not restricted to just M or M2

It does not have an MMSI

Nor does it have time or positional information for use with the DSC.

The unit is installed upside down while this enables use of controls does not easily allow sight of the display.

Searider (controls on RHS):

This has access to all International channels and is not restricted to just M or M2

It has an MMSI 235101887, see below* 

Nor does it have time or positional information for use with the DSC.

The unit is installed between the console and the controls but the on/off switch is so stiff you need pliers to operate it and the Squelch control is too loose and non-functional.

MMSI

I was able to locate this on ITU's MARS (https://www.itu.int/mmsapp/ShipStation/list) i.e., ITU (International Telecommunications Union) MARS database (Maritime Access & retrieval system): Registered as Mariner2, Call sign 2GZU5. MMSI recorded on 02/05/2018.

User Guide:

The iCom IC-M411 User Guide is available here: https://icomuk.co.uk/files/icom/PDF/productManual/IC-M411_instruction_manual.pdf

It does not look as though this unit has an option to limit the channels available to the user.

Legal Position:

The following has been taken from the RYA VHF Radio Regulations (updated 09/05/2018), and confirmed by their legal advisor Gavin Fernandes, Trainee Solicitor, from LA Marine (Lester Aldridge) representing RYA in July 2024. A copy of the RYA document is available via the RYA and can also be found on the Committee's Google Drive / Critical Documents Vault.

Where the radio on board has access only to channels M and M2, no separate licence is required as the use is covered under the CSR Marina licence. Furthermore, a Maritime Radio Operator Certificate, although desirable, is not essential.

Where the radio on board has access to channel 80 (157.025/161.625 MHz) and/or other international channels, a separate licence must be held; two types of licence are available:

• Ship Radio Licence

• Ship Portable Radio Licence.