UK licensing

Lifetime ships radio licences and ships portable radio licences are now available free online. They are valid for as long as the licence details remain correct or until the licence is either revoked by Ofcom or surrendered by the licensee. All a user has to do is apply for a user account for the licensing system by registering their details at the following address: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/licensing/olc/
 
Having registered, their username will be sent by post. It will then be possible to use the online licensing system in order to apply for a free, "lifetime" Ship Radio licence or a Ship Portable Radio licence, or to amend, validate, or surrender a licence.
 
If you wish to reinstate a callsign or MMSI it will be necessary for you to use a paper application form. It will also be necessary to use the paper application form if you wish to change the name that appears on your licence. This paper application/amendment form can be downloaded at the following address: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/maritime/applications/

Applicants will incur a £20 fee for each paper based "lifetime" licence application. There is currently no charge for amending, validating or surrendering a licence.

The user requires an operator’s licence and two different types are available. For VHF only the SRC (Short Range Certificate) is available. VHF operation itself is fairly straightforward and training, covering radio etiquette and procedures, takes one day. It also teaches about the relatively recent advent of digital selective calling (DSC) functions and new emergency procedures.
 
For other communications the LRC (Long-Range Certificate) is required. This covers procedures, such as setting up an HF call, and takes three or four days.
 
Please note that there are no changes to the existing requirement for radio operators to hold the relevant marine radio operator's certificate. Operating marine radio without both ships' and operator's licences will remain an offence for which the maximum penalty on conviction is a £5,000 fine and/or six months imprisonment.

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