Maritime Radio
On this page:
Radio a MAYDAY
Find out how to radio a distress call if you are in imminent danger and need immediate help.
Your guide to communication
In this handbook:
learn the correct procedures for communicating
find information about coverage and services
find useful contacts and a glossary
two stickers for quick reference
Requirements
Except in the case of an emergency or distress situation, maritime radio users must:
There are quite a few different levels of radio licences issued for marine use on ships. The highest grade license is GMDSS, which covers a wide variety of types of communication equipment. Higher grade licenses are most commonly required for radio operators on commercial ships.
All users of marine VHF are required to hold a minimum of a marine VHF operator’s qualification and be issued with a radio call sign.
The Coastguard Boating Education Service is responsible for issuing and updating radio call signs for commercial and recreational boaties. They also provide tutorials and learning resources for people who want to study for the marine VHF radio operator’s qualification.
The minimum requirement for all users of Marine VHF Radio.
Call sign application form
Radio outside of New Zealand
Anyone operating a marine radio outside of New Zealand’s coastal waters (12 mile limit), needs to have a radio operator license. This includes for a VHF marine radio (short range).
Information about licensing for vessels operating outside New Zealand’s coastal waters is available from Radio Spectrum Management. They manage New Zealand’s radio frequency spectrum and are part of the Ministry of Economic Development.
Radio distress calling
This sticker outlines the radio procedure for distress calls.
[PDF: 30KB, 1 page]