Ofcom - Radio licenses

Ship radio and ship portable radio

Ship radio is used for the safe navigation of vessels and for making distress calls in emergency situations. It enables communication with coast stations, port/harbour authorities and other vessels.

Ship radio uses medium frequency (MF), very high frequency (VHF), high frequency (HF), and ultra high frequency (UHF) radio equipment. It can also use satellite communications equipment, radar equipment, emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB), and search and rescue transponders (SART).

Ofcom provide licenses for operator and boat radios. These are renewable every 5 years