Radiocommunications Regulations (General User Radio Licence for Maritime Purposes) Notice 2024

Pursuant to Regulation 9 of the Radiocommunications Regulations 2001 (“Regulations”) made under section 116(1)(b) of the Radiocommunications Act 1989 (“Act”), and acting under delegated authority from the chief executive, I give the following notice.

Notice

1. Short Title and Commencement

(1) This notice is the Radiocommunications Regulations (General User Radio Licence for Maritime Purposes) Notice 2024.

(2) This notice comes into force on 1 September 2024.

2. Licence

(1) Licence Name: General User Radio Licence for Maritime Purposes.

(2) Licence: Any person may transmit radio waves using radio devices for the purpose of maritime radiocommunications, in accordance with the applicable terms, conditions and restrictions of this notice.

(3) Licence Number: 254943.

(4) Commencement Date: 1 September 2024.

3. Spectrum

(1) Frequencies applicable to maritime distress and safety communications for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) in the Medium Frequency (MF) and High Frequency (HF) bands:

Low (MHz)	High (MHz)	Reference Frequency (MHz)	Emission	Maximum Power dBW e.i.r.p.	Remarks
2.17425	2.17750	2.17450	304HF1BCN	31.7	Special condition 1
2.18200	2.18500	2.18340	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 2
2.18725	2.18775	2.18750	304HF1BCN	31.7	Special condition 3
3.02300	3.02600	3.02440	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 4
4.12500	4.12800	4.12640	2K80J3EJN	30.0	Special condition 2
4.17725	4.17775	4.17750	304HF1BCN	31.7	Special condition 1
4.20725	4.20775	4.20750	304HF1BCN	31.7	Special condition 3
5.68000	5.68300	5.68140	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 4
6.21500	6.21800	6.21640	2K80J3EJN	30.0	Special condition 2
6.26775	6.26825	6.26800	304HF1BCN	31.7	Special condition 1
6.31175	6.31225	6.31200	304HF1BCN	31.7	Special condition 3
8.29100	8.29400	8.29240	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 2
8.37625	8.37675	8.37650	304HF1BCN	31.7	Special condition 1
8.41425	8.41475	8.41450	304HF1BCN	31.7	Special condition 3
12.29000	12.29300	12.29140	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 2
12.51975	12.52025	12.52000	304HF1BCN	31.7	Special condition 1
12.57675	12.57725	12.57700	304HF1BCN	31.7	Special condition 3
16.42000	16.42300	16.42140	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 2
16.69475	16.69525	16.69500	304HF1BCN	31.7	Special condition 1
16.80425	16.80475	16.80450	304HF1BCN	31.7	Special condition 3

(2) Frequencies applicable to maritime radiotelephony radiocommunications in the Medium Frequency (MF) and High Frequency (HF) bands:

Ship Station Transmit			Ship Station Receive			Emission	Maximum Power dBW e.i.r.p.	Remarks
Low (MHz)	High (MHz)	Reference Frequency (MHz)	Low (MHz)	High (MHz)	Reference Frequency (MHz)	Emission	Maximum Power dBW e.i.r.p.	Remarks
2.0120	2.0150	2.0134	2.0120	2.1050	2.0134	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 5
2.0450	2.0480	2.0464	2.0450	2.0480	2.0464	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 6
2.0680	2.0710	2.0694	2.0680	2.0710	2.0694	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 7
2.0890	2.0920	2.0904	2.0890	2.0920	2.0904	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 8
2.1290	2.1320	2.1304	2.1290	2.1320	2.1304	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 8
2.1620	2.1650	2.1634	2.1620	2.1650	2.1634	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 5
2.2070	2.2100	2.2084	2.2070	2.2100	2.2084	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 9
2.4440	2.4470	2.4454	2.4440	2.4470	2.4454	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 10
2.4560	2.4590	2.4574	2.4560	2.4590	2.4574	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 7
2.4800	2.4830	2.4814	2.4800	2.4830	2.4814	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 10
2.6380	2.6410	2.6394	2.6380	2.6410	2.6394	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 7
4.0860	4.0890	4.0874	4.3780	4.3810	4.3794	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 11
4.0920	4.0950	4.0934	4.3840	4.3870	4.3854	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 11
4.1370	4.1400	4.1384	4.4290	4.4320	4.4304	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 11
4.1460	4.1490	4.1474	4.1460	4.1490	4.1474	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
4.1490	4.1520	4.1514	4.1490	4.1520	4.1514	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
4.4170	4.4200	4.4184	4.4170	4.4200	4.4184	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
6.2000	6.2030	6.2014	6.5010	6.5040	6.5024	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 11
6.2120	6.2150	6.2134	6.5130	6.5160	6.5144	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 11
6.2240	6.2270	6.2254	6.2240	6.2270	6.2254	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
6.2270	6.2300	6.2284	6.2270	6.2300	6.2284	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
6.2300	6.2330	6.2314	6.2300	6.2330	6.2314	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
6.5160	6.5190	6.5174	6.5160	6.5190	6.5174	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
8.1160	8.1190	8.1174	8.1160	8.1190	8.1174	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
8.2130	8.2160	8.2144	8.7370	8.7400	8.7384	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 11
8.2280	8.2310	8.2294	8.7520	8.7550	8.7534	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 11
8.2550	8.2580	8.2564	8.7790	8.7820	8.7804	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 12
8.2940	8.2970	8.2954	8.2940	8.2970	8.2954	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
8.2970	8.3000	8.2984	8.2970	8.3000	8.2984	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
8.7070	8.7100	8.7084	8.7070	8.7100	8.7084	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 10
8.7100	8.7130	8.7114	8.7100	8.7130	8.7114	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 10
8.7130	8.7160	8.7144	8.7130	8.7160	8.7144	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 10
8.7160	8.7190	8.7174	8.7160	8.7190	8.7174	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 10
12.2540	12.2570	12.2554	13.1010	13.1040	13.1024	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 11
12.2990	12.3020	12.3004	13.1460	13.1490	13.1474	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 11
12.3530	12.3560	12.3554	12.3530	12.3560	12.3554	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
12.3560	12.3590	12.3574	12.3560	12.3590	12.3574	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 9
12.3590	12.3620	12.3604	12.3590	12.3620	12.3604	2K80J3EJN	30.0	Special condition 12
12.3620	12.3650	12.3634	12.3620	12.3650	12.3634	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
12.3650	12.3680	12.3664	12.3650	12.3680	12.3664	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
16.3750	16.3780	16.3764	17.2570	17.2600	17.2584	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 11
16.4680	16.4710	16.4694	17.3500	17.3530	17.3514	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 11
16.5280	16.5310	16.5294	16.5280	16.5310	16.5294	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
16.5310	16.5340	16.5324	16.5310	16.5340	16.5324	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 9
16.5340	16.5370	16.5354	16.5340	16.5370	16.5354	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
16.5370	16.5400	16.5384	16.5370	16.5400	16.5384	2K80J3EJN	30.0	Special condition 12
16.5400	16.5430	16.5414	16.5400	16.5430	16.5414	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
16.5430	16.5460	16.5444	16.5430	16.5460	16.5444	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
16.5460	16.5490	16.5474	16.5460	16.5490	16.5474	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
18.8400	18.8430	18.8414	18.8400	18.8430	18.8414	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
22.0360	22.0390	22.0374	22.7320	22.7350	22.7334	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 11
22.1050	22.1080	22.1064	22.8010	22.8040	22.8024	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special condition 11
22.1590	22.1620	22.1604	22.1590	22.1620	22.1604	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
22.1650	22.1680	22.1664	22.1650	22.1680	22.1664	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
22.1680	22.1710	22.1694	22.1680	22.1710	22.1694	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
22.1710	22.1740	22.1724	22.1710	22.1740	22.1724	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
22.1770	22.1800	22.1784	22.1770	22.1800	22.1784	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10
25.1060	25.1090	25.1074	25.1060	25.1090	25.1074	2K80J3EJN	31.7	Special conditions 7 and 10

(3) Frequencies applicable to maritime radiocommunications in the Very High Frequency (VHF) band:

Channel	Ship Station Transmit			Ship Station Receive			Emission	Maximum Power dBW e.i.r.p.	Remarks
Channel	Low (MHz)	High (MHz)	Reference Frequency (MHz)	Low (MHz)	High (MHz)	Reference Frequency (MHz)	Emission	Maximum Power dBW e.i.r.p.	Remarks
60	156.0125	156.0375	156.0250	160.6125	160.6375	160.6250	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
01	156.0375	156.0625	156.0500	160.6375	160.6625	160.6500	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
61	156.0625	156.0875	156.0750	160.6625	160.6875	160.6750	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
02	156.0875	156.1125	156.1000	160.6875	160.7125	160.7000	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
62	156.1125	156.1375	156.1250	160.7125	160.7375	160.7250	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
03	156.1375	156.1625	156.1500	160.7375	160.7625	160.7500	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
63	156.1625	156.1875	156.1750	160.7625	160.7875	160.7750	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
04	156.1875	156.2125	156.2000	160.7875	160.8125	160.8000	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
64	156.2125	156.2375	156.2250	160.8125	160.8375	160.8250	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
05	156.2375	156.2625	156.2500	160.8375	160.8625	160.8500	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
65	156.2625	156.2875	156.2750	160.8625	160.8875	160.8750	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
06	156.2875	156.3125	156.3000	156.2875	156.3125	156.3000	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 7 and 19
66	156.3125	156.3375	156.3250	160.9125	160.9375	160.9250	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
07	156.3375	156.3625	156.3500	160.9375	160.9625	160.9500	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
67	156.3625	156.3875	156.3750	156.3625	156.3875	156.3750	16K0F3EJN	14	Special conditions 9 and 14
08	156.3875	156.4125	156.4000	156.3875	156.4125	156.4000	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 7
68	156.4125	156.4375	156.4250	156.4125	156.4375	156.4250	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 9
09	156.4375	156.4625	156.4500	156.4375	156.4625	156.4500	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 15 and 20
69	156.4625	156.4875	156.4750	156.4625	156.4875	156.4750	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 9
10	156.4875	156.5125	156.5000	156.4875	156.5125	156.5000	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 15
70	156.5125	156.5375	156.5250	156.5125	156.5375	156.5250	16K0G2BCN	14	Special condition 3
11	156.5375	156.5625	156.5500	156.5375	156.5625	156.5500	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 15
71	156.5625	156.5875	156.5750	156.5625	156.5875	156.5750	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 9
12	156.5875	156.6125	156.6000	156.5875	156.6125	156.6000	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 15
13	156.6375	156.6625	156.6500	156.6375	156.6625	156.6500	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 17
73	156.6625	156.6875	156.6750	156.6625	156.6875	156.6750	16K0F3EJN	14	Special conditions 18 and 20
14	156.6875	156.7125	156.7000	156.6875	156.7125	156.7000	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 15
74	156.7125	156.7375	156.7250	156.7125	156.7375	156.7250	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 10
15	156.7375	156.7625	156.7500	156.7375	156.7625	156.7500	16K0F3EJN	0	Special condition 21
75	156.7625	156.7875	156.7750	156.7625	156.7875	156.7750	16K0G2BCN	0	Special condition 22
16	156.7875	156.8125	156.8000	156.7875	156.8125	156.8000	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 2
76	156.8125	156.8375	156.8250	156.8125	156.8375	156.8250	16K0G2BCN	0	Special condition 22
17	156.8375	156.8625	156.8500	156.8375	156.8625	156.8500	16K0F3EJN	0	Special condition 8
77	156.8625	156.8875	156.8750	156.8625	156.8875	156.8750	16K0F3EJN	14	Special conditions 8 and 16
18	156.8875	156.9125	156.9000	161.4875	161.5125	161.5000	16K0F3EJN	14	Special condition 13
AIS 1	161.9625	161.9875	161.9750	161.9625	161.9875	161.9750	16K0G2BCN	11	Special condition 22
AIS 2	162.0125	162.0375	162.0250	162.0125	162.0375	162.0250	16K0G2BCN	11	Special condition 22

(4) Frequency ranges applicable to maritime radar transmitters for radiodetermination purposes

Low (MHz)	High (MHz)	Reference Frequency (MHz)	Maximum Power dBW e.i.r.p.	Remarks
2900.0000	3100.0000	3000.000	57	Special condition 23
5470.0000	5650.0000	5560.000	57	Special condition 23
9200.0000	9500.0000	9350.0000	57	Special condition 23

(5) Frequencies applicable to radio buoys for radiolocation purposes in the Medium Frequency (MF) band:

Low (MHz)	High (MHz)	Reference Frequency (MHz)	Maximum Power dBW e.i.r.p.	Emission	Remarks
1.7145	1.7155	1.7150	10	1K00A1AAN	Special condition 24
1.7345	1.7355	1.7350	10	1K00A1AAN	Special condition 24
1.7545	1.7555	1.7550	10	1K00A1AAN	Special condition 24
1.7745	1.7755	1.7750	10	1K00A1AAN	Special condition 24
1.9805	1.9815	1.9810	10	1K00A1AAN	Special condition 24
1.9815	1.9825	1.9820	10	1K00A1AAN	Special condition 24
1.9825	1.9835	1.9830	10	1K00A1AAN	Special condition 24
1.9835	1.9845	1.9840	10	1K00A1AAN	Special condition 24
1.9845	1.9855	1.9850	10	1K00A1AAN	Special condition 24
1.9855	1.9865	1.9860	10	1K00A1AAN	Special condition 24
1.9865	1.9875	1.9870	10	1K00A1AAN	Special condition 24
1.9875	1.9885	1.9880	10	1K00A1AAN	Special condition 24
1.9885	1.9895	1.9890	10	1K00A1AAN	Special condition 24

(6) Frequency ranges applicable to on-board maritime vessels for satellite communication purposes:

Low (MHz)	High (MHz)	Reference Frequency (MHz)	Maximum Power dBW e.i.r.p.	Remarks
1626.500	1660.500	1643.500	37	Special condition 25
14000.000	14500.000	14250.000	56	Special condition 26
29500.000	30000.000	29750.000	62	Special condition 27

4. Location

(1) Transmit Location: All New Zealand.

(2) Receive Location: All New Zealand.

5. Special conditions

Use is limited to distress and safety communications using narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy (NBDP-COM).
Use is limited to distress, safety and calling communications using radiotelephony (RTP-COM).
Use is limited to distress and safety communications using digital selective calling (DSC).
Use is limited to distress and safety communications using radiotelephony while engaged in coordinated search and rescue operations with aeronautical stations.
Use is limited to radiocommunications with harbour authorities.
Use is limited to supplementary calling frequency.
Use is limited to inter-ship communications.
Use is limited to temporary aquatic sporting events.
Use is limited to communications with the Maritime New Zealand coast station.
Use is limited to communications with private coast stations.
Use is limited to duplex communications with coast stations.
Use is limited to international calling.
Use is limited to maritime repeater.
Use is limited to anti-pollution operation.
Use is limited to port operations and ship movements.
Use is limited to surf lifesaving clubs.
Use is limited to inter-ship navigation safety.
Use is limited to marinas.
The channels in band 156.2875 – 156.3125 MHz may also be used by aircraft for the purposes of search and rescue communications.
The channels in bands 156.4375 – 156.4625 MHz and 156.6625 – 156.6875 MHz may also be used by light aircraft and helicopters to communicate with ships or coast stations in predominantly maritime support operations.
Use is limited to diving operations.
Use is limited to Automatic Identification System (AIS).
Use is limited to maritime radionavigation radar.
Use is limited to radio buoys operating for the purposes of locating nets, long-lines, pots and other materials.
Use is limited to ship earth stations in the Mobile Satellite Services (MSS).
Use is limited to earth stations on-board vessels (ESV) in the Fixed Satellite Service (FSS).
Use is limited to earth stations on-board vessels operating in accordance with the class of station ‘earth station in motion’ as defined in the International Radio Regulations.

6. General conditions applying to all transmissions under this licence

Except as provided for in subsection (2), a person may, in accordance with the provisions of the Schedules to this notice, operate radio transmitters in the maritime service, including land and aeronautical transmitters, for the purposes of:

the safe and expeditious conduct of maritime transportation;
an emergency;
a matter that relates to the particular occupation, industry or activity in which a marine craft is engaged; or
providing telecommunications services to passengers of marine craft.
all of the purposes contemplated by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

This licence does not include:

land based transmitters, including coast stations, operating on frequencies below 30 MHz;
remotely activated private and public coast stations;
maritime VHF repeater transmitters; or
remote activation of a maritime VHF repeater by a land station without the express permission, pursuant to Regulation 13 of the Regulations, of the maritime VHF repeater licensee.

In accordance with the provisions of Articles 19 and 47 of the International Radio Regulations, a person operating a maritime service transmitter must:

use the maritime identification allocated in accordance with the Regulations; and
be the holder of an applicable certificate of competency issued in accordance with the Regulations.

In accordance with the provisions of the First Schedule to the Act, a person operating a transmitter pursuant to this licence must also comply with all relevant provisions of the Maritime Transport Act 1994, and regulations and rules made under that Act.
Transmitters must conform to technical standards as prescribed in notices made under Regulation 32(1)(b) of the Regulations.
Frequency use is on a shared basis and the chief executive does not accept liability under any circumstances for any loss or damage of any kind occasioned by the unavailability of frequencies, or interference to reception.
Should interference occur to services licensed pursuant to a radio licence or a spectrum licence, the chief executive reserves the right to require and ensure that any transmission pursuant to this General User Radio Licence change frequency, reduce power or cease operation.
A person, authorised by the chief executive, shall be granted at all reasonable times entry to any premises, building, aircraft, ship, carriage, vehicle, box or receptacle for the purposes of ensuring compliance with this licence.
Words and expressions that are defined in:

The Radiocommunications Act 1989, and Regulations and notices made under that Act;
The International Radio Regulations annexed and
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), have the meanings so defined.

Frequencies designated for International Distress, Safety and Calling may also be used by aircraft for search and rescue communications.

7. Consequential revocation of licences

(1) The Radiocommunications Regulations (General User Radio Licence for Maritime Purposes) Notice 2016, dated 1 October 2016 and published in the New Zealand Gazette, 3 November 2016, Issue No. 99, Notice No. 2016-go6223, is revoked.

(2) Notwithstanding the revocation of a notice under subsection (1), every transmitter compliant with the requirements of that notice on the commencement date of this notice is deemed to be compliant with the requirements of this notice.

Dated at Wellington this 1st day of September 2024.

VIVIAN GONZALEZ, Manager, Radio Spectrum Management Licensing, Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment.

Explanatory Note

This note is not part of the notice, but is intended to indicate its general effect.

This notice:

Removes any ambiguity whether the purposes for which Automatic Information System data is transmitted within New Zealand are consistent with wider maritime requirements, including domain awareness and surveillance.
Remove the outdated reference to the International Telecommunications Convention.