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Carry the right equipment for your voyage

If you don't take your boat more than 30 nautical miles off the UK coast, you'll need to carry:

• a very high frequency (VHF) radio, preferably equipped with digital selective calling (DSC)
• a Navtex receiver
• an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)

DSC, Navtex and EPIRBs are components of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) – the international communication safety system for ships at sea.

It's used for all types of communication, including:

• emergency and distress messages
• ship-to-ship communications
• ship-to-shore communications

Some vessels, like commercial vessels over 300 gross tonnage, must fit GMDSS equipment. You're not legally required to have it for your pleasure craft, but some components are highly recommended, like a VHF radio with DSC.

• Download a chart showing where the GMDSS operates at sea (PDF, 918K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Very high frequency (VHF) radio

At the very least, you should have a VHF radio on board your pleasure craft. This means that you can communicate with the coastguard or another boat if you get into difficulty. Safety information, like weather information and navigational warnings, is also broadcast over VHF by the coastguard.

You can contact HM Coastguard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs) on VHF within 20-30 miles of the coast.

VHF radios with digital selective calling (DSC)

Most modern VHF radios now come with DSC, which is a tone signalling system that operates on VHF channel 70. You can make routine calls to other boats or MRCCs with DSC by using their unique nine digit identification number. (This is the maritime mobile service identity, MMSI).

The MMSI numbers for MRCCs in the UK are given below.

MRCCs by location and their MMSI numbers

MRCC	MMSI
Aberdeen	00232 0004
Belfast	00232 0021
Brixham	00232 0013
Clyde	00232 0022
Dover	00232 0010
Falmouth	00232 0014
Forth	00232 0005
Holyhead	00232 0018
Humber	00232 0007
Liverpool	00232 0019
Milford Haven	00232 0017
Portland	00232 0012
Shetland	00232 0001
Solent	00232 0011
Stornoway	00232 0024
Swansea	00232 0016
Thames	00232 0009
Yarmouth	00232 0008

In an emergency, you can use DSC to send important information about your boat and your situation at the touch of a button.

• How to call for help in an emergency at sea

• Download 'The benefits of digital selective calling' (PDF, 725K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Navtex receivers and emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs)

With a Navtex receiver, you'll be able to automatically receive international maritime safety information, including:

• navigational warnings
• weather forecasts and warnings
• search and rescue notices

Most receivers allow you to either record or print the information.

• Using Navtex - Royal Yachting Association Opens new window

EPIRBs

An EPIRB is a type of locator beacon, which transmits a one-way distress signal via satellite. In an emergency, for example if your boat is sinking, the EPIRB can be activated manually or automatically. It will send its position to the nearest MRCC. Some EPIRBs also provide a homing beacon, which helps search and rescue teams to locate your boat.

You need to register your EPIRB so that full details of your boat are known if it's activated. Registration is free – do it online or download an application form.

• Download an EPIRB application form (PDF, 80K) Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Communication equipment for offshore voyages

If you take your boat more than 30 nautical miles off the UK coast, you'll need to carry additional communication equipment.

Satellite telephone

A satellite telephone is a type of mobile phone that connects to satellites instead of the normal telephone network. You can use satellite telephones at sea where mobile phones are out of range. Satellite phones also use international standard dialing codes and telephone numbers. This means that you can pre-programme the phone contacts menu with the telephone numbers of the MRCCs you might need to contact in an emergency.

• Contact details for MRCCs

Medium frequency (MF) and high frequency (HF) radios

Medium frequency (MF) and high frequency (HF) radios are like VHF radios, but work in different areas further away from the coast. MF works up to 150 nautical miles away from the coast and HF works worldwide, depending on atmospheric conditions and the frequency in use.

Inmarsat C

Inmarsat C allows you to send and receive high-speed data, email and telephone messages via satellite when you're out of range of land communications.

• How to call for help in an emergency at sea

Radio licences and training

As an owner of a pleasure craft, you'll need two radio licences:

• a Ship Radio Licence
• a Short Range Certificate

A Ship Radio Licence is needed for all VHF radios with or without DSC. When you receive your licence, you are issued with a call sign that uniquely identifies your vessel and is recognisable worldwide. You use your call sign to identify your vessel when communicating with the coastguard and other boats. If you have DSC, you should also request an MMSI when you get your licence.

To apply for a free Ship Radio Licence, visit the Ofcom website.

• Maritime radio information - Ofcom Opens new window

A Short Range Certificate licenses the operator to use the VHF radio. You must not send general transmissions on VHF without one. If you have DSC, you'll need a DSC endorsement on your certificate. To use MF, HF and satellite communications equipment, you'll need a Long Range Certificate.

• Short Range Certificate training - RYA Opens new window

• Long Range Certificate training - Association of Marine Electronic and Radio Colleges Opens new window

More useful links

• Using your boat on inland waterways

• Registering pleasure craft including yachts

• Keeping safe at the coast

• Register your boat with HM Coastguard - the voluntary safety identification scheme

Useful contacts

• Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Opens new window

• British Waterways Opens new window

• Waterways Ombudsman Opens new window

• Broads Authority Opens new window

• Maritime and Coastguard Agency Opens new window