B175Chris
regular
Reged: 06/06/2006
Posts: 5482
Loc: B'ham + Port Grimaud
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I've searched around for the answer to this before answering, but haven't found anything, so I'll ask 
I have a VHF of some kind in France, bought it at the Brum boat show, an iCom I think... cost about £100 two years ago - I know that to use it in the UK I need a licence and a course which will cost me 90 squids. When on the boat I feel a little exposed should i have a problem and the phone doesn't work, so i'd like to be able to use it, even if just in case of an emergency.
I haven't got £90 to spare - do I need a licence for my VHF to use it in the South of France? I'm prepared to do all the necessary research on how to correctly use it (I'm a very safe person when it comes to boating) but I haven't got the money to get a licence, so hopefully there's no requirement.
All advice appreciated as always 
Chris
-------------------- I think you'll find it goes without Sailing
"The Spoken Word is my Tool!"
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seamaster_lanzarote
regular
Reged: 29/10/2007
Posts: 42
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Hi
What is the cost of being safe for (I quote) 'a very safe person when it comes to boating'??
Please dont take this the wrong way but if the cost of learning to use the radio in order to get a radio licence is such a large expense for you I think should do your homework on other possible expenses you could encounter when taking to the water in general before going to sea in foreign waters.
I say again 'I seek to cause no offence'!!
-------------------- www.seamaster-trainingcentre.com
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B175Chris
regular
Reged: 06/06/2006
Posts: 5482
Loc: B'ham + Port Grimaud
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I understand what you're getting at, don't get me wrong - I feel I can work out how to effectively and safely use the VHF for emergencies without going on a course, by using the multitude of internet sites that are available - I know there's a lot of costs etc, I've been doing the boating for a few years now, they came as quite a shock but £90 seems too much to me for one procedure I may never have to use.... thankfully we've got most of the fixed costs out of the way and have enough aside for fuel and engine repairs etc with insurance for any damage that may happen one day, but it really seems a waste to me if I'm in a country that doesn't require a licence...
-------------------- I think you'll find it goes without Sailing
"The Spoken Word is my Tool!"
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PhotoDog
regular
Reged: 08/04/2007
Posts: 1909
Loc: Neither here nor there.
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Come on Chris, you need a VHF licence.... its not just "one procedure" and it gives you a neat little licence with your picture in it as well....
It a one day course and no sweat, you can register your VHF for free from Offcom, (Register it to your boat) but you need a licence yourself to be able to use the VHF.
Your boat is I assumed a UK flagged boat, ergo you have to follow the law in realation to the Flag of the boat, the UK, ergo you need a licence to use the VHF..... if the boat was French flagged then different law may apply.
But really, if your in the least bit keen on the boaty thing then get someone to pay for the course as a pressie or soemthing, but its money well spent.
Tight arse!
-------------------- Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance?
Edited by PhotoDog (05/05/2008 17:04)
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B175Chris
regular
Reged: 06/06/2006
Posts: 5482
Loc: B'ham + Port Grimaud
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Well to be honest at the moment I have nothing - no VHF, just a phone, and I've been fine *touch wood* If I learn the VHF emergency procedures and end up using them one day in an emergency I don't want to be fined or something in France, which is why i was hoping someone could direct me towards a website or info ...
I've no compulsion to get a licence - I don't go out far, I stay in very sheltered waters and there's always lots of boats around. Hopefully I'll never need to use one anyway 
Yep, I'm a tight arse, but it's 2-3 weeks worth of my wages to pay for it - I'll get one when I get that Sunseeker 108 I've been dreaming of and cruise round a bit , but at the minute unfortunately, circumstances dictate that this will be my last year with the boat as we're selling her at some point this year, and as it looks at the moment it'll be at least 4 years, maybe more, until I have a boat again, so it's not really worth it
-------------------- I think you'll find it goes without Sailing
"The Spoken Word is my Tool!"
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PhotoDog
regular
Reged: 08/04/2007
Posts: 1909
Loc: Neither here nor there.
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When are you starting at Nottingham?
If your out of boating for the next 4 years you can come and crew for me.... anytime.
-------------------- Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance?
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dbrown
regular
Reged: 16/12/2005
Posts: 731
Loc: back in the UK
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But I bet good money Chris has got an xbox 360 and the games to go with it, latest mobile phone, Nike trainers,loads of other very important crap,
as you say, tight arse won't pay £90 to do the course. 
The radio could save your life, the other stuff won't
-------------------- "It's Better to Have Memories Than Dreams"
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B175Chris
regular
Reged: 06/06/2006
Posts: 5482
Loc: B'ham + Port Grimaud
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All being well, and my results being what I hope them to *fingers crossed* then I think the term starts near the end of September - if they don't go as planned I'll be starting at Coventry university and starting a European Business course, which will put me in Denmark for my first year and Belgium for the second, and Coventry for the third, so that'll stuff the boating for a while 
I might give sailing a go one day, maybe while i'm at uni, so thanks for the offer, I'll let you know how things go in August, results-time
-------------------- I think you'll find it goes without Sailing
"The Spoken Word is my Tool!"
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dbrown
regular
Reged: 16/12/2005
Posts: 731
Loc: back in the UK
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you'll have to take more than a pb advanced if you want to helm a ss 108 (over 24mtrs) Masters ticket required that'll cost more than 90 beer tokens
-------------------- "It's Better to Have Memories Than Dreams"
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PhotoDog
regular
Reged: 08/04/2007
Posts: 1909
Loc: Neither here nor there.
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When you get to Nottingham,,, join these guys...
Nottingham uni sailing club
They probably (Or maybe) do a VHF course, it not, suggest one......
Either way, good way to keep on the water... dont forget its those extra-curricular activites that can make a difference job wise afterwards... and sailing is big time up there... I have a sneaking suspicion that you would take to it like the proverbial duck.
-------------------- Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance?
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