Mandatory Qualifications for Recreational VHF

[SatNav]

Will be known as the Australian Waters Qualification (AWQ) and will be a dumbed down sub-set of the real thing but at least recognizes the importance of marine VHF radio qualifications for ALL recreational boaties wishing to take advantage of VHF marine radio communication, which is a positive step.

http://www.acma.gov.au/webwr/_assets...omes_paper.pdf

[Jeremy]

Current system requires MROCP or MROVCP to operate a marine VHF radio, and I wonder how many users actually have the licence? At a guess I'd say well under half. How will they make ithe new system 'mandatory'?

[LittleSkipper]

Thankfully, I successfully completed my MROVCP last August.

[murf]

I just wish I could get any VHF to work in my little 5m fiberglass boat long story but no one can shed any light on it yet

cheers Murf

[Spaniard_King]

Until its an offence punishable by a fine... its as good as toilet paper.

Why bother getting a licence will be the question asked by many.

[wayno60]

SK exactly right.
And get the word out im sure they could put a flyer in with your next rego renewal.

BTW i have my MROVCP.

[Spaniard_King]

Wayno, I don't have that bit of paper so why do I need it, ex RAN an more time in boats than most......sure good to have standards but others will never even try to undersatnd!

[Feral]

Bugger, I was hoping the review would remove the requirement for a licence.
Oh well, as I have always said, when they come save my ass, I'll be happy to pay the fine for not having a licence. Only thing I have the VHF for is to call for help.

Spent 5 years using them extensively for work in Western Qld years ago, funnily enough land based use doesn't seem to have been given a consideration at all.

[LittleSkipper]

It's not a licence as such but merely a "Certificate of Proficiency"

[Jarrah Jack]

When I get a VHF I'll learn to use it properly but I'm not going to get another piece of paper. What an over regulated society we're becoming. Nannies everywhere.

[purnong]

So what does this mean?
Are they going to bring out a dumbed down course or will you just have to pay the fee and get a ticket

[deckie]

When I get a VHF I'll learn to use it properly but I'm not going to get another piece of paper. What an over regulated society we're becoming. Nannies everywhere.

What he said ^^^

Just to catch a little fishy my layer cake of governments and bureaucracy already force me to have..
3 Licenses
3 Registrations
3 Insurances
Plus my taxes and rates arnt worth shit because i get to the ramp only to find yet another layer of scavenging bureaurocrats holding their hand out for more money simply to park in space i've already helped pay for...then holding out their hand for a little bit of water. Thats after another gov't department wants to slug everyone just to drive in..requiring yet another piece of paper and proof of ID.

A license just to press a button and talk...coz lets face it we cant do that right unless we have a slip of paper and a fee. Thank christ i have that or i might somehow freak out and ruin this secrets mens business for everyone.

Someone hand me my plastic sherriff's badge.

Nanny state alright. Should slap a licence on the bored useless prix trying to justify their jobs by introducing more requirements and taxes.

" pick up handpiece....push lbutton...speak "

Its like doing 3rd year Physics all over again.

The other 2 lines about WHAT to say has been in the regular handbook for 10,000 years.

Look !!! i'm a fully qualified and paid up TALKER now...i'm licenced to actually SPEAK...u lil ripper ! Please can i breathe too.

[finga]

Who's going to Police it??

[deckie]

Geeezus..its actually FOUR licences to catch a lil fishy. I forgot the fishing tax. Why is that called a license by the way ?...did i pass some sort of qualification to operate a fishing rod at some point ?
Geez i had no idea i was so well qualified to operate such complex stuff as a fishing rod and a radio.

How about they just whack up another sign at the ramp instead of yet another hidden indirect tax pain in the arse for the VHF...right next to the "dont dive head first into 6 inches of water" and "penalty $500 if your dog pisses on this signpost" and "penalty for unnecessary fun $2000" signs they could simply add...

"swearing on the radio or operating it incorrectly is an on the spot $50,000 fine which noone is here to collect nor can it be policed but we think this sign will help because a very very important bureaucrat with lots of shiny pens in his top pocket earning more than he's worth said it cant hurt and he needs something to do"

[Tangles]

So if you do the course and pass, is this kept on records or noted somewhere?