Notice Type
Departmental
Notice Title

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)

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

Low (MHz)

High (MHz)

Reference Frequency (MHz)

Low (MHz)

High (MHz)

Reference Frequency (MHz)

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

  1. Use is limited to distress and safety communications using narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy (NBDP-COM).
  2. Use is limited to distress, safety and calling communications using radiotelephony (RTP-COM).
  3. Use is limited to distress and safety communications using digital selective calling (DSC).
  4. Use is limited to distress and safety communications using radiotelephony while engaged in coordinated search and rescue operations with aeronautical stations.
  5. Use is limited to radiocommunications with harbour authorities.
  6. Use is limited to supplementary calling frequency.
  7. Use is limited to inter-ship communications.
  8. Use is limited to temporary aquatic sporting events.
  9. Use is limited to communications with the Maritime New Zealand coast station.
  10. Use is limited to communications with private coast stations.
  11. Use is limited to duplex communications with coast stations.
  12. Use is limited to international calling.
  13. Use is limited to maritime repeater.
  14. Use is limited to anti-pollution operation.
  15. Use is limited to port operations and ship movements.
  16. Use is limited to surf lifesaving clubs.
  17. Use is limited to inter-ship navigation safety.
  18. Use is limited to marinas.
  19. The channels in band 156.2875 – 156.3125 MHz may also be used by aircraft for the purposes of search and rescue communications.
  20. 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.
  21. Use is limited to diving operations.
  22. Use is limited to Automatic Identification System (AIS).
  23. Use is limited to maritime radionavigation radar.
  24. Use is limited to radio buoys operating for the purposes of locating nets, long-lines, pots and other materials.
  25. Use is limited to ship earth stations in the Mobile Satellite Services (MSS).
  26. Use is limited to earth stations on-board vessels (ESV) in the Fixed Satellite Service (FSS).
  27. 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

  1. 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:
    1. the safe and expeditious conduct of maritime transportation;
    2. an emergency;
    3. a matter that relates to the particular occupation, industry or activity in which a marine craft is engaged; or
    4. providing telecommunications services to passengers of marine craft.
    5. all of the purposes contemplated by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.
  2. This licence does not include:
    1. land based transmitters, including coast stations, operating on frequencies below 30 MHz;
    2. remotely activated private and public coast stations;
    3. maritime VHF repeater transmitters; or
    4. 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.
  3. In accordance with the provisions of Articles 19 and 47 of the International Radio Regulations, a person operating a maritime service transmitter must:
    1. use the maritime identification allocated in accordance with the Regulations; and
    2. be the holder of an applicable certificate of competency issued in accordance with the Regulations.
  4. 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.
  5. Transmitters must conform to technical standards as prescribed in notices made under Regulation 32(1)(b) of the Regulations.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Words and expressions that are defined in:
    1. The Radiocommunications Act 1989, and Regulations and notices made under that Act;
    2. The International Radio Regulations annexed and
    3. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), have the meanings so defined.
  10. 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.