Use of a marine radio telephone
Do you want to use a marine radio telephone or other maritime transmission devices in the Netherlands? Then you must first register its use and in some cases you may need a licence.
When is a marine radio telephone compulsory?
A stationary marine radio telephone is compulsory for all vessels longer than 20 metres.
Operating certificate
To operate a marine radio telephone system, you need an operator certificate (in Dutch). There are 3 types of certificates:
- The Basic Certificate for Maritime Communication (Basiscertificaat Marifonie) is for maritime frequency range on mainly inland waterways.
- The Limited Certificate for Maritime Radiocommunication (Marcom-B) is for maritime frequency range on inland waterways and particularly on coastal waterways.
- The General Maritime Radiocommunication Certificate (Marcom-A) is for maritime frequency range at sea.
You need to take one or several exams for these certificates (in Dutch). If you have passed the exam you can apply for the operating certificate (in Dutch) with the Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing (Centraal Bureau Rijvaardigheidsbewijzen, CBR).
Foreign certificate
Did you get your certification abroad, for example the Short Range Certificate (SRC)? Then you can register the (signed) certificate with the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure (Rijksinspectie Digitale Infrastructuur, RDI) (in Dutch). They will check if your certificate complies with the international requirements. Since 2024, recognition of your foreign certificate is not necessary to register your certificate with RDI. Please note that RDI charges a fee for converting your foreign certificate.
Use of maritime transmission equipment on a vessel
If you intend to use maritime transmission equipment on your vessel, you have to register your operating certificate with the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure (RDI) (in Dutch). Your data will then be entered in the National Frequency Register (in Dutch). Details on the certificate required for the various equipment can be found in the equipment summary on the (Dutch-language) website of the RDI.
Connection to the Netherlands
Do you want to register in the National Frequency Register? Then the vessel or the owner of the vessel must have a connection to the Netherlands (in Dutch). You can demonstrate your ties with the Netherlands
- or if the vessel is owned by a company that is registered with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK)
The RDI can ask you to demonstrate these ties and end your registration if you cannot comply. You are not allowed to have maritime transmission equipment on board without registration.
Programming the marine radio telephone
After registration you will receive a letter from the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure containing all the details and codes for programming the marine radio telephone (in Dutch). On Dutch inland waterways, the marine radio telephone must be set to a maximum of 1 watt. At sea, you must set the marine radio telephone to a maximum of 25 watts.
Use of marine radio telephones from the shore
You also need a permit to use a marine radio telephone from the shore (in Dutch), just as you do for shore stations. In addition, you need a permit to use special channels (for example those reserved for oil refineries or port services). Check with RDI in which case you need a permit and when you need to register with them.