A marine radio is licensed twice: the set through the boat, the operator through a certificate. The rules that come with them are few and mostly common sense: identify yourself, put distress first, send nothing you need not send, and repeat nothing you overhear.
1 · Two documents
One for the boat, one for you
What is the difference between a ship station licence and an SRC?
The ship station licence belongs to the boat and lists her call sign, MMSI and radio equipment; the Short Range Certificate (SRC) belongs to you, the operator, whatever boat you sail. Keep both aboard.
The ship station licence belongs to the boat. It names the vessel and lists her call sign, her MMSI and the radio equipment she is licensed to carry. The operator's certificate belongs to a person: for VHF with DSC it is the Short Range Certificate (SRC), while the Long Range Certificate (LRC) adds MF/HF and satellite. It shows that you are qualified to use the radio, and it is yours whatever boat you sail. Sell your yacht and buy another, and the certificate stays with you. The rules are ITU's; your flag state issues the licence, call sign and MMSI, and may add its own requirements.
Ship station licence
Vessel: sailing yacht Nefeli
Issued to: the owner or charter firm
Call sign · MMSI (nine digits)
Equipment: fixed VHF DSC, handheld VHF
On a charter yacht the licence is in the charter firm's name and covers the set; your certificate covers you as the operator. Keep both documents aboard: a port official inspecting the yacht may ask for them.
2 · Who may transmit
The skipper decides, the certificate holder supervises
Can crew without a radio certificate use the VHF on my yacht?
Only under the supervision of a certificate holder, and as the skipper decides; alone they may not make a routine call. In distress, anyone aboard may send the MAYDAY.
The ship's radio station is under the authority of the skipper. Whether the crew may use it to chat with friends on another yacht is the skipper's decision.
Someone without a certificate may operate the radio under the supervision of a certificate holder. Alone, she may not make a routine call. Distress is the exception: when lives are in danger, anyone aboard may send the MAYDAY.
She has no certificate
May she call the marina?
You, the holder, stand beside her
Yes, under your supervision
You are ashore
No: the call waits for you
3 · Where it is valid
Abroad yes, ashore no
Can I use the yacht's handheld VHF ashore, say from a taverna?
No: a marine VHF is licensed for the maritime service, meaning use afloat, and use from land generally needs special permission. Afloat abroad is fine: the ship station licence is valid internationally, alongside local regulations.
A ship station licence is valid internationally. Your own yacht, licensed in her home country, may use her VHF in Greek waters, where you also follow the local regulations.
A marine VHF is licensed for the maritime service, which means use afloat. Taking the yacht's handheld to a taverna to call the crew on board is not allowed: use from land generally needs special permission.
4 · Prohibited transmissions
What must never go out
What am I not allowed to transmit on marine VHF?
Prohibited transmissions include a false distress call, even as a test; any call that does not give your own boat's name; unnecessary signals, such as clicking the key to say hello; and obscene or abusive language.
Prohibited
Why
A false distress call, even "as a test"
It may launch a real rescue
A call without your boat's name
Every transmission must identify the station
Another boat's name instead of yours
You identify your own station, correctly
Unnecessary signals, such as clicking the key to "say hello"
They can mask a weak distress call
Obscene or abusive language
Forbidden, however angry you are
Rule
Before you press the key: is it needed, is it true, and does it say who you are?
5 · Secrecy and the log
Keep it to yourself, write it down
Can I tell anyone about a VHF conversation I overheard?
No: secrecy of correspondence means you may not pass on what you overhear. Distress traffic is the exception: if the coast station seems not to have heard a MAYDAY you noted, pass its details to the coastguard.
VHF is an open line, and you will overhear calls not meant for you. Secrecy of correspondence means you may not pass on what you overhear: two yachts' family matters stay with them. Distress traffic is the exception. If you noted a MAYDAY that the coast station seems not to have heard, pass its details to the coastguard.
Note in the log the distress, urgency and safety traffic you send or hear, with the times: it may be needed later.
Radio log
14:05 MAYDAY heard, yacht Selene
14:07 Acknowledged by coast station
14:40 PAN-PAN heard, MV Ionian
15:10 SÉCURITÉ sent: buoy adrift
6 · Order of priority
Distress, urgency, safety, routine
Which goes first when several messages are waiting for the channel?
They go in a fixed order of priority, whoever was ready first: distress (MAYDAY), urgency (PAN-PAN), safety (SÉCURITÉ), then routine calls.
When several messages wait for a quiet channel, they go in a fixed order, whoever was ready first.
Priority
Signal
Example
1 Distress
MAYDAY
Fire, sinking, a life in danger
2 Urgency
PAN-PAN
Engine dead, drifting, tow needed
3 Safety
SÉCURITÉ
Warning of an unlit buoy
4 Routine
none
Booking a table ashore
Practice questions
Questions from this topic, as the app asks them. Open one to see the answer.
Afternoon at anchor
Anna: no radio certificate
You (certificate holder): ashore
Anna wants to book a berth by VHF
May Anna make the routine call to the marina herself?
Yes — routine calls need no certificate
Not alone — she must wait for you
Yes, if she gives your certificate number
Yes, if she keeps the set on low power
Show the answer
B. Not alone — she must wait for you
Without a certificate she may only operate under a holder's supervision (distress excepted).
All 20 questions of this topic are in the app: practice by topic with the reason after every answer, your mistakes brought back, and a timed mock exam. Free, no sign-up, in the browser or in Telegram.
