I am writing in the hope that something will be done to ensure that the Valletta Port Control Radio Station gives boat owners and users alike an adequate service, in the name of safety.

For the benefit of those who are not familiar with marine activities or who are not boat owners, the Valletta Radio is a station that, among other things, monitors all shipping movements in the Maltese and nearby waters.

Boat owners are obliged to have a VHF Radio on board. In fact, the Malta Maritime Authority will not allow new boat registrations or renewal of boat registrations without the presentation of a valid VHF radio licence issued by the Wireless and Telegraphy Department. Furthermore, should anyone fail to pay the licence fee within one month after the expiry date, the owner is rightly penalised by having to pay double the amount - Lm40 instead of Lm20. Fair enough. But what about the service given by Valletta Radio?

Boat owners are obliged by law to inform Valletta Radio of their movement, especially when leaving or entering harbour, but do they get a reply? I am lucky if my call is confirmed after five or more attempts! Out of desparation one may try to reach Valletta Radio on Channel 12 instead of Channel 9, however, the controller immediately replies warning the caller that he should not use Channel 12. The result is that a good number of boat owners are not bothering to inform Valletta Radio of their movements. My major concern is when there could be difficulties at sea. One is lucky if a reply is received. In such a case you will have no option but to send a distress call.

To be fair, the only time when one gets an immediate reply is when a yacht is going abroad. Then you are checked and unless you are cleared by the Customs officers you will not be able to leave port. On the return journey one starts calling Valletta Radio when still miles away and should one get a reply one will be asked to call again at the entrance of harbour.

May I also ask the controllers of Valletta Radio whether they are informing the Customs Department that the boat has actually left or returned? In many cases such information is not passed on and the boat owner will have to face the Customs Department and answer why he did not leave Malta as scheduled!

But let us not point our fingers only at the controllers. We must admit that some boat owners, especially in summer, allow their children to talk with friends on the radio. Others are heard holding an entire conversation on the channel and sometimes even using foul language. I still believe that this is not an excuse but some boat owners need to be educated and the use of this equipment should be included in the boat driving licence course.