Radio Regulations, Licensing, Frequencies and Watchkeeping Obligations
What the exam tests here
This domain moves from technique to compliance: the ship station licence, operator certification, authorised frequencies, watchkeeping duties, secrecy of communications and the penalties for misuse. In India the licensing and frequency authority is the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing of the Ministry of Communications, which issues the ship station licence and assigns the MMSI; the GMDSS certificates are issued after examination under the same regulatory framework.
Documents on board
- Valid ship station licence (with call sign and MMSI allocated to the ship).
- Valid operator certificates for the persons keeping watch - the Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC) for the VHF/A1 role, and the General Operator's Certificate (GOC) where MF/HF and Inmarsat operation is required.
- The radio log and the list of coast stations and MSI services used.
Watchkeeping duties
SOLAS IV/12 requires a continuous DSC watch on Ch70 and, as applicable, on 2187.5 kHz and the HF DSC distress bands, together with a radiotelephony watch on 2182 kHz and VHF Ch16 where the ship is at sea and the equipment is fitted. The watch may be maintained by the equipment, but the operator must be able to respond. Watchkeeping is a legal duty, not a courtesy.
Operating discipline
Transmissions only on authorised frequencies and only by certificated operators; no interception of communications not intended for the station, and confidentiality of what is heard; no false or misleading distress signals; no profane or unnecessary transmissions. Distress traffic always takes precedence.
Worked example
An unlicensed crew member uses the VHF to call a marina. The station is licensed and the channel is authorised, but the operator is not certificated and the call is a private matter on a maritime channel: the breach is both the operator's lack of a certificate and misuse of the frequency. The licensed operator on watch is responsible for what is transmitted from the station.
Traps
- Quoting the wrong authority for licensing; in India it is WPC, not the Coast Guard.
- Confusing the ship station licence with the operator's personal certificate - both are needed.
- Assuming a DSC-equipped watch means nobody must be available to answer.