What are DSC Marine Radios?

DSC Marine Radios are marine radios using a semi automated method for vessels to make initial contact, whether for Distress, Urgency, Safety or Routine situations. DSC radios can be of the VHF type for short range communications, where the SROCP marine radio licence will be sufficient, or an MFHF type marine radio, for Long range communications, where the LROCP marine radio licence will be required.

DSC Marine Radios need to be programmed with a 9 digit identificatioin number known as an Marine Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number. This number can be obtained from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) using form 89. The process will require you to have a Marine Radio Licence BEFORE you can submit the application.

How to get a Marine Radio Licence?

A Marine Radio Licence is required if you are operating Marine VHF and/or MF/HF Radios. The licence does not have anything to do with whether the vessel is recreational or commercial. If you intend obtaining a commercial qualification such as a Coxswain or a Master qualification you need to have the licence anyway however it is simply about having the knowledge to correctly operate Marine VHF and/or MF/HF Radios.

If you currently have a Marine VHF and/or MF/HF Radio on board your vessel and you do not have a Marine Radio Licence you will find that it will be necessary to obtain a licence if you intend to up grade your radio to the popular and much preferred Digital Selective Call (DSC) type of radio. To access the full features of these radios requires the radio to be registered and the issue of a Maritime Mobile Service Identity number (MMSI). To obtain a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number you need to provide your Marine Radio Licence number.

You can enroll in this course at any time from the enrolment link on this page and on completion of enrolment you will receive:

1. A FREE downloaded version of the Marine Radio Handbook and/or the VHF Radio Handbook,
2. Access to additional training material and resources related to Marine Radio knowledge and operation,
3. Unlimited access to over 350 questions of a similar nature to the final exam and
4. Access to our Free App for Tablet and Phone mobile studying
5. Access to our Senior Trainer/Exam Supervisor via phone and email.
6. Access to our Free Simulated Marine Radio App for demonstration of competency in using marine radios
7. Final online exam process for the total cost of $279.00. (includes the government exam paper cost of $89.00)

Knowledge Required for a Marine Radio Licence

It is important to understand that the knowledge required to obtain a Marine Radio Licence is not extensive and it is not difficult to obtain a Marine Radio Licence. The level of knowledge required to pass the final exam (70% pass required) includes the following subjects:

• Knowledge of MF/HF and VHF marine radios
• Identify the difference between Ship Stations, Coast Radio Stations and Limited Coast Stations
• Understand and use the ‘Phonetic Alphabet’
• Use correct operating procedures and channels when operating a marine radio
• Understand Distress, Urgency and Safety Communications
• Understand Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Communications
• Understand the use of 406 MHz EPIRBS
• Understand the use of SART’s
• Understand Search and Rescue in Australia
• Identify the different types of radio equipment, their application and limitations
• Identify the components of a marine radio and the care and maintenance required with radio equipment and power sources

Which Marine Radio Licence do I need?

There are essentially 2 types of marine radio licences:

1. The Long Range Operators Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP) which is for operating both VHF radios (short range radios) and Medium Frequency/High Frequency (MF/HF) Radios (which are designed for long range transmission) and
2. The Short Range Operators Certificate of Proficiency for VHF Only (SROCP) is designed for those who are only carrying and/or operating a Very High Frequency (VHF) (Short Range) radio.

Basically if you intend travelling on offshore coastal voyages, are part of a yacht race crew, or applying for commercial qualifications such as a Coxswain’s or a Master qualification, you should obtain an LROCP Licence. THIS IS THE PREFERRED CERTIFICATE TO OBTAIN.

If you are operating small recreational vessels in harbours and bays or staying near the coast then an SROCP (VHF Only) Licence will be sufficient.

NOTE: We do not receive many applications for the SROCP (VHF Only)  licence and we do not generally recommend that applicants obtain this licence. The simple reason is the cost to obtain the 2 licences is the same.

However the problem occurs if you wish to upgrade the licence. In the past we have had applicants with VHF only radio licences who have sought to upgrade to the LROCP due to a number of reasons (required on a yacht in an official yacht race, to obtain a commercial certificate or even joining a Marine Rescue organisation as a volunteer etc). Unfortunately the OMC do not have an upgrade process. You simply have to do it all again with all the time and costs involved.

Regardless of which certificate you wish to apply for if you are a Boat Owner and you wish to upgrade your MF/HF or VHF Radio to a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Radio, which is now the preferred type of radio to have on board, you will NOT be able to complete the radio registration process with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and obtain a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number for the radio unless you obtain your Marine Radio Licence first.

How long does a Marine Radio Licence last?

The Marine Radio Operators Certificate is one of those very rare certificates that, when obtained, it never expires and there are no renewal fees!