Can I use a handheld VHF/DSC radio for ATIS?

The answer to this is not straightforward, and there are several important things to consider.

Firstly, ATIS identification numbers relate to a vessel. If you have a handheld with ATIS enabled and it is used on any vessel other than your own, you may give false information to the receiver (Locks, Harbours etc.) as to who is approaching. Because of this, some EU countries have placed restrictions on handheld use with ATIS. Our advice would be to refer to the RAINWAT arrangement for more information on this and guidance to ensure you comply with local regulations. A fixed VHF DSC radio is not restricted in this way and this is why we would recommend ATIS use on a fixed set if you are travelling to different EU countries.

The second thing to consider is that Ofcom issues a personal MMSI number for handheld DSC use in the UK. This is to identify you as an individual and not a vessel to the UK Coastguard. This way you can use your handheld on any vessel and know the authorities will respond correctly to any distress alert you may send. Ofcom issues this personal MMSI number in the UK for this purpose. Authorities may not recognise this personal MMSI number outside of UK waters. Other countries may have their own similar system in place for handheld DSC radios, some may only issue the vessel's MMSI number for a handheld DSC radio and could restrict its use to your own vessel.

This could mean that other countries may not authorise the use of your handheld VHF DSC (or may not do so in the same way that OFCOM do in the UK). They could regard a handheld VHF DSC as being illegal under their legislation, even if it is switched to ATIS working. This could result in enforcement action by the authorities overseas.

The important thing to do is read your RAINWAT arrangement and ensure you are correctly set up for the countries you intend to visit prior to travelling to mainland Europe.

For further information about Handheld DSC radios, visit our article: 'Everything you need to know about Handheld DSC Radios'.

11/05/2022