Marine radio operators licence

[Burwell Mike]

Originally Posted by coolcat

Morning Mike,

Presuming I pass I'm going to then take the 'Day Skippers' course as well which teaches the basics of chart plotting amongst other boating skills.

Then I may we'll take you up on that offer although not sure it will be in our present boat.
She is a category C vessel and sea worthy but with only a 55HP engine only really suitable for calm sea states.

In the near future we plan to get a bigger Category B vessel, either a Broom or a Haines probably and preferably with two (bigger) engines which will allow for extended cruising around the coast and possibly over to mainland Europe.
We would choose the above boats as they are still good for river work as well as off shore and have relatively small drafts

Having said all that, on the right day and with some forward planing I may well take Riverlight out at Yarmouth and into the North Sea, of course if I turn right at Yarmouth I could sail back home to Clacton as well
She will only do flat out about 10/12 knots though and will cruise at about 7 knots so we won't be getting anywhere fast

One way or the other though it will be on the cards so would be great to take you up on the offer in the future .

Sounds like exciting times ahead! I would only be brave enough to venture out to sea if I had twin engines, certainly would not risk it in my current boat (A 1964 Seamaster 25 with the original Ford Zephyr engine). I am grateful to cruise from Cambridge to Ely without any drama!

I'll try and post some pictures of the boat and fenland waterways later - although they will not be a patch on your Broads photos we have been enjoying.

[coolcat]

Originally Posted by Burwell Mike

Sounds like exciting times ahead! I would only be brave enough to venture out to sea if I had twin engines, certainly would not risk it in my current boat (A 1964 Seamaster 25 with the original Ford Zephyr engine). I am grateful to cruise from Cambridge to Ely without any drama!

I'll try and post some pictures of the boat and fenland waterways later - although they will not be a patch on your Broads photos we have been enjoying.

I'm sure they will be great, looking forward to seeing them Mike

[coolcat]

Well..............its been a very long but productive day.

I have passed and now I'm the proud holder of a VHF/DSC ship to shore radio licence

RYA Day Skipper course next to go for

[RPWC]

Well done Jeff

[coolcat]

Originally Posted by RPWC

Well done Jeff

Thanks Richard.......10 hours of brain overload but well worth it

[murphyv310]

Hi Jeff.
Well done. I wonder if it is more involved than the Radio Amateur Foundation license that is so simple it's really a joke.
One question being............ Can you identify the colours of the wires in a 13 amp plug!!!!!!!

[coolcat]

Originally Posted by murphyv310

Hi Jeff.
Well done. I wonder if it is more involved than the Radio Amateur Foundation license that is so simple it's really a joke.
One question being............ Can you identify the colours of the wires in a 13 amp plug!!!!!!!

Thanks Trevor, can't comment on the Radio Amateur Foundation but I know plenty of folks who wouldn't have a clue how to wire a plug or even how to change the fuse

The exam/course is quite involved as apart from knowing the correct procedures for making a distress call including use of maritime language you also have to learn the basics of other emergency/distress equipment fitted to vessels such as SART (Search and rescue transponder) Radar, Navtex etc

It's a very informative course though and through the use of practical simulated tests using real equipment the subsequent exams (practical and written) were not daunting and all students in the class I was in passed