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Please fill in the contact form below and you will hear back from us very promptly
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get an MMSI for my boat?
A Mobile Marine Service Identity (MMSI) is issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) in Australia.

To be issued with an MMSI, you need to be licenced appropriately. The recommended Automatic Identification System (AIS) licence is the Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (SROCP).

For a VHF radio with Digital Selective Calling (DSC), you will need an MMSI. A vessel with a fixed VHF DSC radio and/or AIS is issued with an MMSI to the boat that is programmed into the boat's fixed equipment.

If your vessel has an MF/HF radio with DSC that requires an MMSI, you must be licenced with the Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP). The LROCP also qualifies you for VHF radios and AIS. We only recommend getting an LROCP if you will be using MF/HF radios.
Do your VHF & HF courses prepare me for a radio licence that is internationally recognised?
Yes. The Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (SROCP) and the Long Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (LROCP) are recognised by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) for you to be issued with an MMSI number. This MMSI number can be programmed into your DSC marine radio and your boat's AIS transmitter.

Having the SROCP or LROCP will fulfill the criteria required for various purposes, including chartering a boat and meeting skippering qualifications. It can be applicable for certifications such as the RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC), RYA Yachtmaster Coastal, RYA Yachtmaster Offshore, AMSA Coxswain, and IYT Bareboat Skipper, among others.
I have a VHF radio and an HF radio onboard. Which course should I take?
HF Radio Course, which also includes the VHF radio training. We only recommend the HF radio course if you are planning to be onboard a vessel that will be a carrying an HF radio. For most situations the VHF Course is the most appropriate course boating. Please feel free to use the contact us form above if you would like specific guidance for your boating on which course you should enrol in.
How do I get my radio licence once I finish the e-learning course?
We have the option for you to sit a remote assessment with us, which has a $100 assessment fee. This is booked through an online calendar and paid for when you make the booking. If you already have a radio licence, but want to use the course to update your knowledge on the modern technology and requirements you may not need to resit the assessment.

After completing the assessment, the Office of Maritime Communications (OMC) in Tasmania, Australia, takes approximately 15 working days to issue your radio licence certificate.

It's important to note that the OMC's working days are not on Tasmanian public holidays, which include New Year's Day, Australia Day, Eight Hours Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Easter Tuesday, ANZAC Day, King's Birthday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. These holidays may affect the processing time of your licence.

Once issued, the OMC will send a hard copy of the licence to your postal address. Additionally, you can request the OMC email a digital version of the licence, sent on the same day the hard copy is posted.

If you have an older licence that did not include Digital Selective Calling in a marine environment and you need an MMSI you are likely to need to update your licence. AMSA will be able to confirm for you if they will accept your current licence.
Can my licence be fast tracked?
  • International Certificate of Competence (ICC) -.The RYA issues this. You can pay for a fast-track option when you complete the application. The fast-track process with the RYA is 48 hours; the ICC is sent to your postal address. The RYA does not issue a digital version of your certificate.

  • Marine Radio Licence (SROCP or LROCP) - The Office of Maritime Communications (OMC) will sometimes respond to a request to extenuating circumstances to decrease the 15 working day processing time if they can assist. There is no formal fast-track process with the OMC. The contact to request extenuating circumstances is amcom@amc.edu.au

  • The OMC will issue a digital version of your licence by email, if requested, on the same day that your licence is posted to you. Most organisations, including the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), will accept a digital version of your marine radio licence.

  • Once you have a copy of your marine radio licence and have completed your MMSI application with AMSA, the MMSI is issued the next working day. There is an option to request that AMSA email your MMSI certificate to you as part of the application process.
My Safety and Sea Survival Certificate (SSSC) has expired. Can I revalidate with just the e-learning course? 
No, you also need to book a practical training session to complete the in-water exercises. You book this directly with your local Australian Sailing Safety and Sea Survival Training Centre, and there are options for this in every state of Australia.
How do I get my International Certificate of Competence (ICC) once I finish my RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Course?
Experienced skippers can organise a direct assessment which takes around 4 hours, and up to two people can be assessed at any time. There are RYA training centres in 42 countries that can provide this assessment. Skippers who do not already have the experience to a direct evaluation would need to complete the five days or three weekends RYA Day Skipper Practical Training Course. This course is available with RYA Practical Training Centres all over the world. 
Do you run the practical training sessions for these courses?
No, we finished running the practical training sessions in 2019, so we could continue building and supporting our e-learning courses. We have partnered with the leading RYA and Australian Sailing Centres and Clubs, so you can use our e-learning to complete your studies and then select a practical training centre that works for you.
I want to develop my boat handling skills. Which course would you recommend?
The Online Skipper Course is the best course for you Online Skipper Course, and this course can be studied in 6-7 hours. Above & Beyond Boating has a background in training on privately owned boats, and this has been Neil’s specialist area since 2005. 
I have a question that was not covered here can you help me?
Sure, either email neil@aabboating.com or fill out the contact form above. You will hear back from us very soon, usually on the day. 
© Above & Beyond Boating
Pricing in Australian Dollars
ABN: 11167076922
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