What Is A Maritime Radio Licence?
A maritime radio licence records important vessel communications information, including identifiers such as the vessel name, call sign and MMSI number. In the UK, ship radio licensing is administered by Ofcom.
What Is A Maritime Radio Licence?
A maritime radio licence is the licence associated with a vessel’s radio installation and maritime communications equipment. It helps record the vessel identity and the radio systems fitted or authorised for use.
The exact information recorded will depend on the vessel, the equipment installed and the licence type.
What Information Appears On A Maritime Radio Licence?
The most important information commonly checked during marine communications work is:
What Is A Call Sign?
A call sign is a radio identity allocated to a vessel. It is used during voice radio communications and helps identify the vessel during radio traffic.
What Is An MMSI Number?
An MMSI, or Maritime Mobile Service Identity, is a unique digital identifier used by marine communications systems such as AIS, VHF DSC and MF/HF DSC equipment.
For more detail, read our guide: What Is An MMSI Number?
What Equipment May Appear On A Maritime Radio Licence?
A maritime radio licence may include details of communications equipment installed on a vessel. Depending on the vessel type and operational requirements, this may include AIS transceivers, VHF DSC radios, MF/HF radio systems and EPIRB emergency beacons.
Important Equipment Note
Not every vessel will have every type of equipment listed. The equipment recorded will depend on what is installed, licensed and applicable to the vessel.
Ship Radio Licence vs Ship Portable Radio Licence
| Licence Type | Typical Purpose |
|---|---|
| Ship Radio Licence | Used for vessel radio installations and communications equipment fitted to a ship or boat. |
| Ship Portable Radio Licence | Used for certain portable maritime radio equipment that may not be permanently fixed to one vessel. |
Maritime Radio Licence vs Radio Operator Qualification
A maritime radio licence relates to the vessel and its communications equipment. A radio operator qualification relates to the person operating the equipment.
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Maritime Radio Licence | Records vessel communications licensing information. |
| SRC, LRC or GOC Certificate | Operator qualifications for using marine radio equipment. |
When Should A Maritime Radio Licence Be Updated?
Licence records should be reviewed when vessel details or communications equipment change.
- Vessel ownership change
- Vessel name change
- Flag change
- New AIS installation
- Replacement VHF DSC radio
- Replacement MF/HF radio
- Changes to onboard communications equipment
What Happens When A Vessel Is Bought Or Sold?
When a vessel changes ownership, the radio licence details should be reviewed. Licences are not something that should simply be assumed to transfer unchanged without checking the current licensing requirements and vessel records.
Why Might An Engineer Ask For A Copy Of A Maritime Radio Licence?
Before carrying out communications equipment assessments, engineers may request a copy of a maritime radio licence to verify key vessel information.
For F&C Marine, the most commonly checked details are usually:
- Vessel Name
- Call Sign
- MMSI Number
These details can be important when assessing AIS equipment, VHF DSC radios, MF/HF radio systems, programming requirements, replacement equipment or vessel communications changes.
Can Marine Businesses Need More Than One Radio Licence?
Yes. A vessel may use maritime radio equipment under a ship radio licence, while shore-based business communications may require a separate business radio licensing arrangement.
This can occur where marine businesses need shore-based personnel to communicate using handheld radios away from the vessel. Marine VHF channels should not simply be treated as a general land-based business radio system.
Marine Radio And Business Radio Are Different
A maritime radio licence is not the same as a Simple UK Business Radio Licence. The correct licensing route depends on the equipment, frequencies and how the radio system is being used.
Common Maritime Radio Licence Problems
- Incorrect MMSI entered into equipment
- Vessel name changed but equipment records not reviewed
- Ownership changed without checking radio licence records
- Replacement AIS fitted without confirming vessel identifiers
- Radio equipment replaced without checking call sign and MMSI details
- Confusing the vessel licence with the operator’s radio certificate
Maritime Radio Licence And Marine Radio Programming
A copy of the maritime radio licence may help confirm the vessel name, call sign and MMSI before marine radio programming or AIS configuration work is assessed.
This is especially relevant where equipment has been replaced, the wrong MMSI has been entered, the vessel has changed ownership, or the vessel has changed flag state.
Need Help With Marine Radio Programming Or MMSI Assessment?
F&C Marine provides assessment-led support for selected marine radio and AIS programming requirements, including MMSI checks, replacement equipment configuration and vessel communications assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a maritime radio licence the same as an MMSI number?
No. An MMSI number is one vessel communications identifier that may appear within maritime radio licence records.
Is a maritime radio licence the same as a call sign?
No. A call sign is a vessel radio identity. A maritime radio licence records wider vessel and communications licensing information.
Can a maritime radio licence include AIS equipment?
Yes, AIS equipment may be recorded where applicable to the vessel and licence records.
Can a maritime radio licence include EPIRB information?
EPIRB information may be associated with vessel and licensing records where applicable. EPIRBs have their own beacon identifiers such as HEX ID information.
Is a maritime radio licence the same as an SRC certificate?
No. The maritime radio licence relates to the vessel or station. An SRC certificate is an operator qualification.
Related Guides
- What Is An MMSI Number?
- What Is DSC On A Marine VHF Radio?
- Marine Radio Programming Services
- Marine Electronics Knowledge Base