If It Isn't One @#*<$ Thing!!!

[krozet]

So I am at a local West Marine looking for a new VHF with DSC when I start talking to the manager. He asks about my boat and I get all excited talking to a boat guy. I tell him about my boat, the refit, the plan to sail her from Annapolis to Canada... And explain that I am pricing things out for said refit.

He says it sounds like an adventure and that he wishes he were young and intrepid enough to do what I was doing. Then he stops me and asks if I have a restricted license. My blank stare answered his question... So he tells me that I CANNOT transmit on a VHF without a restricted license and that I have to take a course before I can get said license... What?!?! I used a VHF radio while in the USVI and the BVI without a license...

Well I tell him that I didn't know and that I don't have time before my launch, I will just listen to the VHF for weather and use my cell phone since I will be close to shore.

Then he asks me if I have my Pleasure Craft Operators Card. Why yes I do I tell him, I got it when I got my boat to ensure there would be no issues. I even tell him I have my ASA 1o1, 1o3 & 1o4. He tells me that I will need to get a new card to sail in the USA, and take a competency test too boot!

Wait a minute I say, if I am on a Canadian registered & flagged boat why would I have to have an American license to sail my boat? I don't have to get an American drivers license when I cross the boarder... He tells me that it is just easier if I take the US competency test.

WTF?!?! Every time I thing I am making headroom on this someone else drops something in my path!

Oh Well, more stress will not stop me (unless I have a heart attack...)

Robert

[scottyt]

you dont need a license for the boat if you have a canadian one IIRC. some states do require a license, but they normally honor any other license.

as for the vhf thing, i do believe that canadians do need a license for the vhf
here Pat's Boating in Canada: VHF Marine Radio

now the US doe3s not require a license or vhf anymore, so your good here.

edit: did you get the pm i sent you a week ago?

[bljones]

Yeah, theoretically you need a vhf license. I don't have one. Nobody I know has one. The coast guard has never failed to respond to someone whether they have a license or not, to my knowledge.
You are supposed to have a license for a CB in your car or truck. nobody does.
Everyone who operates your vhf is supposed to have a license. your wife, your kids, occasional crew, everybody. nobody does.
You are also not supposed to rip the tag off of a mattress.
The guy at West Marine is absolutely correct in theory, but not so right in practice.
Now, a shortwave radio? different story.

[sailingdog]

It depends... in the USA at least, you do not need a license for operating a VHF unless you're talking to a foreign station—that means either a vessel or port that is not US flagged. If you're going to do that, you need: A) A restricted radio operator's permit; B) A ship's station license.

I don't know what the Canadian rules are... but I would think they are probably quite similar

[Architeuthis]

Yes you need a VHF license but as already mentioned it is very unlikely you will be asked for one.

At one time every American that contacts your boat via VHF would also need a license.

But it does not appear to be like that anymore, at least not for you as you are not required to carry a radio. This from Communications Template - USCG Navigation Center

An FCC ship station radio license is no longer required for any vessel travelling in U.S. waters which uses a VHF marine radio, radar or EPIRB, and which is not required to carry radio equipment. A license is necessary however for any vessel required to carry a marine radio, on an international voyage, or carrying an HF single sideband radiotelephone or marine satellite terminal.

So it looks like, if you get a chance, take the test, get a license, otherwise don't sweat it.

[capttb]

We don't require US citizens to have licenses for VHF radios and sailing, but we make Canadians jump thru a bunch of hoops just 'cause we can.
As far as I'm aware, here on the west coast as long as you clear customs nobody is gonna ask you for any licenses. (License? We don't need no stinkin' licenses!)
FCC: Wireless Services: Ship Radio Stations: Licensing

[smackdaddy]

I say go back to WM and punch that guy in the mouth.

[jjns]

Krozet - Another thing you may want to consider, Toronto Harbour has their own license as well, over and above the PCOC. Roughly Ontario Place to the Spit.
The nice thing about taking the radio course is you actually learn how to use the correct procedures and language.
While it is true that you probably wont be asked for it, sometimes things happen.
Like the time our send button stuck on (unbeknownst to us) CG paid us a visit, things may have gone differently if we hadn't had proper documentation with us.
Always best to have your ducks in a row.

[bljones]

Oh yeah, and never rely on the counter guy at West Marine to know the ins and outs of maritime law and rules and regs. He is working at West Marine, not a law office, which should maybe tell you just what kind of legal experience he has. you wouldn't ask your lawyer to choose your bottom paint would you?
Hell, lawyers ask us!

[sailingdog]

Hell, most of the people I've met working at West Marine have no clue about bottom paints.... much less laws regarding communications equipment.

Originally Posted by bljones

Oh yeah, and never rely on the counter guy at West Marine to know the ins and outs of maritime law and rules and regs. He is working at West Marine, not a law office, which should maybe tell you just what kind of legal experience he has. you wouldn't ask your lawyer to choose your bottom paint would you?
Hell, lawyers ask us!