Radio licence

[robbinsfamily]

Hi everyone, we are off to Italy in 3 weeks to sail off into our dreams, but my wife is getting nervous about licensing. I've just had to get my ICC and now she wants me to get my MSROC (Maritime Short Range operator Certificate) because she has been told by NZ coast guard it is required under international law to have a radio licence. I have no type of radio licence, but know how to use one, do I really need to sit this exam? Can she sit it as crew instead? She is worried about having the paperwork for port authorities. I'm imagining many of you sailing about with no licensing, am I correct?