What is a Callsign?

Like a number plate for your car, a VHF Callsign is a unique ID for your boat. You need one when you get in touch with Coastguard Radio to log a trip report and, most importantly, having a Callsign makes it easier for us to find you if you need help. That's because your Callsign stores important information like the length and type of your boat, its colour, the safety equipment you have on board and your emergency contact details.

All VHF radio transmissions in Aotearoa New Zealand are legally required to be individually identifiable, and the best way to do this is by getting yourself a Callsign. Plus, for just $60, it’s yours for life!

There is no other requirement to licence recreational boats in New Zealand.

Getting yourself a new Callsign

You’ve got the boat, now you need a Callsign to go with it. It’s easy, you can get one online from our Boating Education website, go to Buy a new Callsign. Then fill out your details, and for $60, you have a unique Callsign that's yours for life.
If you ever need to update your Callsign details, including your contact information, you can do that online too. If you have an AIS (Automated Identification System) you’ll need a MMSI number – contact our Customer Care team and they can help you with this.
Wait - there’s one more step before you jump on the VHF!

In Aotearoa New Zealand, all users of marine VHF radios are legally required to hold a Maritime VHF Operator's Certificate, unless you're using the radio in an emergency or distress situation. So if you want to log a trip report with Coastguard or talk to your fellow boaties on the local ship-to-ship radio channel, you need to get yourself a VHF Operator’s Certificate. We offer online or classroom courses around the country.
Coastguard Members get 10% off the Maritime VHF Operator’s Certificate, so if you’re not already a member join up now to get your discount!
For more details about the course and to book, see Maritime VHF Operator's Certificate.
If your boat already has a Callsign

If the previous owner of the boat you've bought wants to keep the Callsign, you’ll need to get yourself a new one at Buy a new Callsign.
If they don’t want to keep the Callsign, it can be transferred to you, but you’ll need to get the written consent from the previous owner. For details, go to Change of Callsign ownership.
If you can’t get the consent of the previous owner, then get yourself a new Callsign – transferring the ownership details or getting a new callsign is the same price.
Updating your Callsign details

If you ever want to update the details on your Callsign, it's easy. Go to Update your Callsign details and fill in the online form with your updated details or give our Education team a call on 0800 40 80 90.

For information on ship licences for commercial vessels, vessels travelling overseas, and MMSI numbers, see our Boating Education website.

Get qualified

All users of marine VHF radios in Aotearoa New Zealand are legally required to hold a Maritime VHF Operator's Certificate, unless it's an emergency or distress situation. On our Maritime VHF Operator's Certificate course you'll learn how to use a marine VHF radio correctly and with confidence, from logging trip reports to chatting with fellow boaties. It’s easy and fun!

Find out more