Radiotelephone Communications

Alaska—public fixed station. A fixed station in Alaska which is open to public correspondence and is licensed by the Commission for radio communication with Alaska-Private fixed stations on paired channels.

Alaska—private fixed station. A fixed station in Alaska which is licensed by the Commission for radio communication within Alaska and with associated ship stations, on single frequency channels. Alaska-private fixed stations are also eligible to communicate with Alaska-public fixed stations on paired channels.

Associated ship unit. A portable VHF transmitter for use in the vicinity of the ship station with which it is associated.

Automated maritime telecommunications system (AMTS). An automatic maritime communications system.

Automated mutual-assistance vessel rescue system (AMVER). An international system, operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, which provides aid to the development and coordination of search and rescue (SAR) efforts. Data is made available to recognized SAR agencies or vessels of any nation for reasons related to marine safety.

Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). A maritime navigation safety communications system standardized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that provides vessel information, including the vessel's identity, type, position, course, speed, navigational status and other safety-related information automatically to appropriately equipped shore stations, other ships, and aircraft; receives automatically such information from similarly fitted ships; monitors and tracks ships; and exchanges data with shore-based facilities.

Bridge-to-bridge station. A radio station located on a ship's navigational bridge or main control station operating on a specified frequency which is used only for navigational communications, in the 156-162 MHz band.

Cargo ship safety radio certificate. A certificate issued after a ship passes an inspection of the required radiotelegraph, radiotelephone or GMDSS radio installation. Issuance of this certificate indicates that the vessel complies with the Communications Act and the Safety Convention.

Cargo ship safety radiotelegraphy certificate. A certificate issued after a ship passes an inspection of a radiotelegraph installation. Issuance of this certificate indicates that the vessel complies with the Communications Act and the Safety Convention.

Cargo ship safety radiotelephony certificate. A certificate issued after a ship passes an inspection of a radiotelephone installation. Issuance of this certificate indicates that the vessel complies with the Communications Act and the Safety Convention.

Categories of ships. (1) When referenced in Part II of Title III of the Communications Act or the radio provisions of the Safety Convention, a ship is a passenger ship if it carries or is licensed or certificated to carry more than twelve passengers. A cargo ship is any ship not a passenger ship.

(2) A commercial transport vessel is any ship which is used primarily in commerce (i) for transporting persons or goods to or from any harbor(s) or port(s) or between places within a harbor or port area, or (ii) in connection with the construction, change in construction, servicing, maintenance, repair, loading, unloading, movement, piloting, or salvaging of any other ship or vessel.

(3) The term passenger carrying vessel, when used in reference to Part III, Title III of the Communications Act or subpart T of this part, means any ship transporting more than six passengers for hire.

(4) Power-driven vessel. Any ship propelled by machinery.

(5) Towing vessel. Any commercial ship engaged in towing another ship astern, alongside or by pushing ahead.

(6) Compulsory ship. Any ship which is required to be equipped with radiotelecommunication equipment in order to comply with the radio or radio-navigation provisions of a treaty, statute, or subpart T of this part to which the vessel is subject.

(7) Voluntary ship. Any ship which is not required by treaty or statute to be equipped with radiotelecommunication equipment.

Coast station. A land station in the maritime mobile service.

Commercial communications. Communications between coast stations and ship stations aboard commercial transport vessels, or between ship stations aboard commercial transport vessels, which relate directly to the purposes for which the ship is used including the piloting of vessels, movements of vessels, obtaining vessel supplies, and scheduling of repairs.

Day. (1) Where the word day is applied to the use of a specific frequency assignment or to a specific authorized transmitter power, its use means transmission on the frequency assignment or with the authorized transmitter power during that period of time included between one hour after local sunrise and one hour before local sunset.

(2) Where the word day occurs in reference to watch requirements, or to equipment testing, its use means the calendar day, from midnight to midnight, local time.

Digital selective calling (DSC). A synchronous system developed by the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication (ITU-R) Sector, used to establish contact with a station or group of stations automatically by means of radio. The operational and technical characteristics of this system are contained in ITU-R M.493-13 and ITU-R M.541-9 (both incorporated by reference, see § 80.7) (see subpart W of this part.)

Direction finder (radio compass). Apparatus capable of receiving radio signals and taking bearings on these signals from which the true bearing and direction of the point of origin may be determined.

Distress signal. The distress signal is a digital selective call using an internationally recognized distress call format in the bands used for terrestrial communication or an internationally recognized distress message format, in which case it is relayed through space stations, which indicates that a person, ship, aircraft, or other vehicle is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.

(1) In radiotelephony, the international distress signal consists of the enunciation of the word “Mayday”, pronounced as the French expression “m'aider”. In case of distress, transmission of this particular signal is intended to ensure recognition of a radiotelephone distress call by stations of any nationality.

(2) For GMDSS, distress alerts result in an audible alarm and visual indication that a ship or person is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance. These automatic systems contain sufficient information in the distress alert message to identify the vessel, prepare to assist and begin a search. However, except when transmitted via satellite EPIRB, the distress alert is just the initial call for help. Communication between the vessel or person in distress and the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) or ship assisting should always follow.

Distress traffic. Distress traffic consists of all messages relating to the immediate assistance required by a person, ship, aircraft, or other vehicle in distress, including search and rescue communications and on-scene communications.

Emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) station. A station in the maritime mobile service the emissions of which are intended to facilitate search and rescue operations.

Environmental communications. Broadcasts of information about the environmental conditions in which vessels operate, i.e., weather, sea conditions, time signals adequate for practical navigation, notices to mariners, and hazards to navigation.

Fleet radio station license. An authorization issued by the Commission for two or more ships having a common owner or operator.

Global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS). An International Maritime Organization (IMO) worldwide coordinated maritime distress system designed to provide the rapid transfer of distress messages from vessels in distress to units best suited for giving or coordinating assistance. The system includes standardized equipment and operational procedures, unique identifers for each station, and the integrated use of frequency bands and radio systems to ensure the transmission and reception of distress and safety calls and messages at short, medium and long ranges.

Great Lakes. This term means all of Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron (including Georgian Bay), Michigan, Superior, their connecting and tributary waters and the St. Lawrence River as far east as the lower exit of the St. Lambert Lock at Montreal in the Province of Quebec, Canada, but does not include any connecting and tributary waters other than: the St. Marys River, the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River and the Welland Canal.

Harbor or port. Any place to which ships may resort for shelter, or to load or unload passengers or goods, or to obtain fuel, water, or supplies. This term applies to such places whether proclaimed public or not and whether natural or artifical.

Inland waters. This term, as used in reference to waters of the United States, its territories and possessions, means waters that lie landward of the boundary lines of inland waters as contained in 33 CFR 80.01, as well as waters within its land territory, such as rivers and lakes, over which the United States exercises sovereignty.

INMARSAT. INMARSAT Ltd. is a private commercial company licensed in the United Kingdom.

Marine utility station. A station in the maritime mobile service consisting of one or more handheld radiotelephone units licensed under a single authorization. Each unit is capable of operation while being hand-carried by an individual. The station operates under the rules applicable to ship stations when the unit is aboard a vessel, and under the rules applicable to private coast stations when the unit is on land.

Maritime control communications. Communications between private coast and ship stations or between ship stations licensed to a state or local governmental entity, which relate directly to the control of boating activities or assistance to ships.

Maritime mobile repeater station. A land station at a fixed location established for the automatic retransmission of signals to extend the range of communication of ship and coast stations.

Maritime mobile-satellite service. A mobile-satellite service in which mobile earth stations are located on board ships. Survival craft stations and EPIRB stations may also participate in this service.

Maritime mobile service. A mobile service between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations, or between associated on-board communication stations. Survival craft stations and EPIRB stations also participate in this service.

Maritime mobile service identities (MMSI). An international system for the identification of radio stations in the maritime mobile service. The system is comprised of a series of nine digits which are transmitted over the radio path to uniquely identify ship stations, ship earth stations, coast stations, coast earth stations and groups of stations.

Maritime radiodetermination service. A maritime radiocommunication service for determining the position, velocity, and/or other characteristics of an object, or the obtaining of information relating to these parameters, by the propagation properties of radio waves.

Maritime support station. A station on land used in support of the maritime services to train personnel and to demonstrate, test and maintain equipment.

Navigable waters. This term, as used in reference to waters of the United States, its territories and possessions, means the waters shoreward of the baseline of its territorial sea and internal waters as contained in 33 CFR 2.36.

Navigational communications. Safety communications pertaining to the maneuvering of vessels or the directing of vessel movements. Such communications are primarily for the exchange of information between ship stations and secondarily between ship stations and coast stations.

Noncommercial communications. Communication between coast stations and ship stations other than commercial transport ships, or between ship stations aboard other than commercial transport ships which pertain to the needs of the ship.

Non-selectable transponder. A transponder whose coded response is displayed on any conventional radar operating in the appropriate band.

On-board communication station. A low-powered mobile station in the maritime mobile service intended for use for internal communications on board a ship, or between a ship and its lifeboats and life-rafts during lifeboat drills or operations, or for communication within a group of vessels being towed or pushed, as well as for line handling and mooring instructions.

On-board repeater. A radio station that receives and automatically retransmits signals between on-board communication stations.

Open sea. The water area of the open coast seaward of the ordinary low-water mark, or seaward of inland waters.

Operational fixed station. A fixed station, not open to public correspondence, operated by entities that provide their own radiocommunication facilities in the private land mobile, maritime or aviation services.

Passenger ship safety certificate. A certificate issued by the Commandant of the Coast Guard after inspection of a passenger ship which complies with the requirements of the Safety Convention.

Pilot. Pilot means a Federal pilot required by 46 U.S.C. 764, a state pilot required under the authority of 46 U.S.C. 211, or a registered pilot required by 46 U.S.C. 216.

Port operations communications. Communications in or near a port, in locks or in waterways between coast stations and ship stations or between ship stations, which relate to the operational handling, movement and safety of ships and in emergency to the safety of persons.

Portable ship station. A ship station which includes a single transmitter intended for use upon two or more ships.

Private coast station. A coast station, not open to public correspondence, which serves the operational, maritime control and business needs of ships.

Public coast station. A coast station that offers radio communication common carrier services to ship radio stations.

Public correspondence. Any telecommunication which the offices and stations must, by reason of their being at the disposal of the public, accept for transmission.

Radar beacon (RACON). A receiver-transmitter which, when triggered by a radar, automatically returns a distinctive signal which can appear on the display of the triggering radar, providing range, bearing and identification information.

Radioprinter operations. Communications by means of a direct printing radiotelegraphy system using any alphanumeric code, within specified bandwidth limitations, which is authorized for use between private coast stations and their associated ship stations on vessels of less than 1600 gross tons.

Safety communication. The transmission or reception of distress, alarm, urgency, or safety signals, or any communication preceded by one of these signals, or any form of radiocommunication which, if delayed in transmission or reception, may adversely affect the safety of life or property.

Safety signal. (1) The safety signal is the international radiotelegraph or radiotelephone signal which indicates that the station sending this signal is preparing to transmit a message concerning the safety of navigation or giving important meteorological warnings.

(2) In radiotelegraphy, the international safety signals consists of three repetitions of the group “TTT,” sent before the call, with the letters of each group and the successive groups clearly separated from each other.

(3) In radiotelephony, the international safety signal consists of three oral repetitions of “Security,” pronounced as the French word “Securite,” sent before the call.

(4) For GMDSS, safety calls result in an audible alarm and visual indication that the station sending this signal has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of navigation or giving important meteorological warnings.

Selectable tfransponder. A transponder whose coded response may be inhibited or displayed on a radar on demand by the operator of that radar.

Selective calling. A means of calling in which signals are transmitted in accordance with a prearranged code to operate a particular automatic attention device at the station whose attention is sought.

Ship earth station. A mobile earth station in the maritime mobile-satellite service located on board ship.

Ship or vessel. Ship or vessel includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance, except aircraft, capable of being used as a means of transportation on water whether or not it is actually afloat.

Ship radio station license. An authorization issued by the Commission to operate a radio station onboard a vessel.

Ship station. A mobile station in the maritime mobile service located on-board a vessel which is not permanently moored, other than a survival craft station.

Station. One or more transmitters or a combination of transmitters and receivers, including the accessory equipment, necessary at one location for carrying on radiocommunication services.

Survival craft station. A mobile station in the maritime or aeronautical mobile service intended solely for survival purposes and located on any lifeboat, liferaft or other survival equipment.

Underway. A vessel is underway when it is not at anchor, made fast to the shore, or aground.

Urgency signal. (1) The urgency signal is the international radiotelegraph or radiotelephone signal which indicates that the calling station has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, or of some person on board or within sight.

(2) In radiotelegraphy, the international urgency signal consists of three repetitions of the group “XXX,” sent before the call, with the letters of each group and the successive groups clearly separated from each other.

(3) In radiotelephony, the international urgency signal consists of three oral repetitions of the group of words “PAN PAN”, each word of the group pronounced as the French word “PANNE” and sent before the call.

(4) For GMDSS, urgency calls result in an audible alarm and visual indication that the station sending this signal has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, or of some person on board or within sight.

Vessel traffic service (VTS). A U.S. Coast Guard traffic control service for ships in designated water areas to prevent collisions, groundings and environmental harm.

Watch. The act of listening on a designated frequency.

(a) Except as noted in paragraph (c) of this section, stations in the maritime service must be licensed by the FCC either individually or by fleet.

(b) One ship station license will be granted for operation of all maritime services transmitting equipment on board a vessel. Radiotelegraph and narrow-band directing-printing equipment will not be authorized, however, unless specifically requested by the applicant.

(c) A ship station is licensed by rule and does not need an individual license issued by the FCC if the ship station is not subject to the radio equipment carriage requirements of any statute, treaty or agreement to which the United States is signatory, the ship station does not travel to foreign ports, and the ship station does not make international communications. A ship station licensed by rule is authorized to transmit radio signals using a marine radio operating in the 156-162 MHz band, any type of AIS, any type of EPIRB, and any type of radar installation. All other transmissions must be authorized under a ship station license. Even though an individual license is not required, a ship station licensed by rule must be operated in accordance with all applicable operating requirements, procedures, and technical specifications found in this part.

(a) General. A station license cannot be granted to or held by a foreign government or its representative.

(b) Public coast stations and Alaska-public fixed stations. A station license for a public coast station or an Alaska-public fixed station cannot be granted to or held by:

(1) Any alien or the representative of any alien;

(2) [Reserved]

(3) Any corporation organized under the laws of any foreign government;

(4) Any corporation of which more than one-fifth of the capital stock is owned of record or voted by aliens or their representatives or by a foreign government or its representative, or by a corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country; or

(5) Any corporation directly or indirectly controlled by any other corporation of which more than one-fourth of the capital stock is owned of record or voted by aliens, their representatives, or by a foreign government or its representatives, or by any corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country, if the Commission finds that the public interest will be served by the refusal or revocation of such license.

(c) Private coast and marine utility stations. The supplemental eligibility requirements for private coast and marine utility stations are contained in § 80.501(a).

(d) Ship stations. A ship station license may only be granted to:

(1) The owner or operator of the vessel;

(2) A subsidiary communications corporation of the owner or operator of the vessel;

(3) A State or local government subdivision; or

(e) A 406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB may be used by any ship required by U.S. Coast Guard regulations to carry an EPIRB or by any ship that is equipped with a VHF ship radio station.

(a) Licenses for ship stations in the maritime services will normally be issued for a term of ten years from the date of original issuance, or renewal.

(b) Licenses other than ship stations in the maritime services will normally be issued for a term of ten years from the date of original issuance, major modification, or renewal.

A station may be used for emergency communications when normal communication facilities are disrupted. The Commission may order the discontinuance of any such emergency communication service.

(a) The power of each radio transmitter must not be more than that necessary to carry on the service for which the station is licensed.

(b) Except for transmitters using single sideband and independent sideband emissions, each radio transmitter rated by the manufacturer for carrier power in excess of 100 watts must contain the instruments necessary to determine the transmitter power during its operation.

(a) All stations in the maritime mobile service and the maritime mobile-satellite service shall be capable of offering four levels of priority in the following order:

(1) Distress calls, distress messages, and distress traffic.

(2) Urgency communications.

(3) Safety communications.

(4) Other communications.

(b) In a fully automated system, where it is impracticable to offer all four levels of priority, category 1 shall receive priority until such time as intergovernmental agreements remove exemptions granted for such systems from offering the complete order of priority.

Stations are authorized to engage in test transmissions necessary for maintenance of the station. Test transmissions must conform to appropriate test operating procedures.

This section is applicable to all stations using telephony except where otherwise specified.

(a) Station licensees must not cause harmful interference. When radiation is necessary or unavoidable, the testing procedure described below must be followed:

(1) The operator must not interfere with transmissions in progress.

(2) The testing station's call sign, followed by the word “test”, must be announced on the radio-channel being used for the test.

(3) If any station responds “wait”, the test must be suspended for a minimum of 30 seconds, then repeat the call sign followed by the word “test” and listen again for a response. To continue the test, the operator must use counts or phrases which do not conflict with normal operating signals, and must end with the station's call sign. Test signals must not exceed ten seconds, and must not be repeated until at least one minute has elapsed. On the frequency 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz, the time between tests must be a minimum of five minutes.

(b) Testing of transmitters must be confined to single frequency channels on working frequencies. However, 2182 kHz and 156.800 MHz may be used to contact ship or coast stations as appropriate when signal reports are necessary. Short tests on 4125 kHz are permitted by vessels equipped with MF/HF radios to evaluate the compatibility of the equipment for distress and safety purposes. U.S. Coast Guard stations may be contacted on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz for test purposes only when tests are being conducted by Commission employees, when FCC-licensed technicians are conducting inspections on behalf of the Commission, when qualified technicians are installing or repairing radiotelephone equipment, or when qualified ship's personnel conduct an operational check requested by the U.S. Coast Guard. In these cases the test must be identified as “FCC” or “technical.”

(c) Survival craft transmitter tests must not be made within actuating range of automatic alarm receivers.

This section applies to all stations using telephony which are subject to this part.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section, stations must give the call sign in English. Identification must be made:

(1) At the beginning and end of each communication with any other station.

(2) At 15 minute intervals when transmission is sustained for more than 15 minutes. When public correspondence is being exchanged with a ship or aircraft station, the identification may be deferred until the completion of the communications.

(b) Private coast stations located at drawbridges and transmitting on the navigation frequency 156.650 MHz may identify by use of the name of the bridge in lieu of the call sign.

(c) Ship stations transmitting on any authorized VHF bridge-to-bridge channel may be identified by the name of the ship in lieu of the call sign.

(d) Ship stations operating in a vessel traffic service system or on a waterway under the control of a U.S. Government agency or a foreign authoriy, when communicating with such an agency or authority may be identified by the name of the ship in lieu of the call sign, or as directed by the agency or foreign authority.

(e) Voice traffic in the INMARSAT system is closed to other parties except the two stations involved and the identification is done automatically with the establishment of the call. Therefore, it is not necessary for these stations to identify themselves periodically during the communication. For terrestrial systems using DSC to establish radiotelephone communications, the identification is made at the beginning of the call. In these cases, both parties must identify themselves by ship name, call sign or MMSI at least once every 15 minutes during radiotelephone communications.

(f) VHF public coast stations licensed to serve a predetermined geographic service area are not required to provide station identification under this section. A site-based VHF public coast station may identify by means of the approximate geographic location of the station or the area it serves when it is the only VHF public coast station serving the location or there will be no conflict with the identification of any other station.

(a) Operating procedures for the use of DSC equipment in the maritime mobile service are as contained in ITU-R M.541-9 (incorporated by reference, see § 80.7), and subpart W of this part.

(b) When using DSC techniques, coast stations and ship stations must use maritime mobile service identities (MMSI) assigned by the Commission or its designees.

(c) DSC acknowledgment of DSC distress and safety calls must be made by designated coast stations and such acknowledgment must be in accordance with procedures contained in ITU-R M.541-9 (incorporated by reference, see § 80.7). Nondesignated public and private coast stations must follow the guidance provided for ship stations in ITU-R M.541-9 (incorporated by reference, see § 80.7), with respect to DSC “Acknowledgment of distress calls” and “Distress relays.” (See subpart W of this part.)

(d) Group calls to vessels under the common control of a single entity are authorized. A group call identity may be created from an MMSI ending in a zero, assigned to this single entity, by deleting the trailing zero and adding a leading zero to the identity.

This section applies to all coast stations using telephony which are subject to this part.

(a) Limitations on calling. (1) Except when transmitting a general call to all stations for announcing or preceding the transmission of distress, urgency, or safety messages, a coast station must call the particular station(s) with which it intends to communicate.

(2) Coast stations must call ship stations by voice unless it is known that the particular ship station may be contacted by other means such as automatic actuation of a selective ringing or calling device.

(3) Coast stations may be authorized emission for selective calling on each working frequency.

(4) Calling a particular station must not continue for more than one minute in each instance. If the called station does not reply, that station must not again be called for two minutes. When a called station does not reply to a call sent three times at intervals of two minutes, the calling must cease for fifteen minutes. However, if harmful interference will not be caused to other communications in progress, the call may be repeated after three minutes.

(5) A coast station must not attempt to communicate with a ship station that has specifically called another coast station until it becomes evident that the called station does not answer, or that communication between the ship station and the called station cannot be carried on because of unsatisfactory operating conditions.

(6) Calls to establish communication must be initiated on an available common working frequency when such a frequency exists and it is known that the called ship maintains a simultaneous watch on the common working frequency and the appropriate calling frequency(ies).

(b) Time limitation on calling frequency. Transmissions by coast stations on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz must be minimized and any one exchange of communications must not exceed one minute in duration.

(c) Change to working frequency. After establishing communications with another station by call and reply on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz coast stations must change to an authorized working channel for the transmission of messages.

(d) Use of busy signal. A coast station, when communicating with a ship station which transmits to the coast station on a radio channel which is a different channel from that used by the coast station for transmission, may transmit a “busy” signal whenever transmission from the ship station is being received. The characteristics of the “busy” signal are contained in § 80.74.

(a) Calling coast stations. (1) Use by ship stations of the frequency 2182 kHz for calling coast stations and for replying to calls from coast stations is authorized. However, such calls and replies should be on the appropriate ship-shore working frequency.

(2) Use by ship stations and marine utility stations of the frequency 156.800 MHz for calling coast stations and marine utility stations on shore, and for replying to calls from such stations, is authorized. However, such calls and replies should be made on the appropriate ship-shore working frequency.

(b) Calling ship stations. (1) Except when other operating procedure is used to expedite safety communication, ship stations, before transmitting on the intership working frequencies 2003, 2142, 2638, 2738, or 2830 kHz, must first establish communications with other ship stations by call and reply on 2182 kHz. Calls may be initiated on an intership working frequency when it is known that the called vessel maintains a simultaneous watch on the working frequency and on 2182 kHz.

(2) Except when other operating procedures are used to expedite safety communications, the frequency 156.800 MHz must be used for call and reply by ship stations and marine utility stations before establishing communication on one of the intership working frequencies. Calls may be initiated on an intership working frequency when it is known that the called vessel maintains a simultaneous watch on the working frequency and on 156.800 MHz.

(c) Change to working frequency. After establishing communication with another station by call and reply on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz stations on board ship must change to an authorized working frequency for the transmission of messages.

(d) Limitations on calling. Calling a particular station must not continue for more than 30 seconds in each instance. If the called station does not reply, the station must not again be called until after an interval of 2 minutes. When a called station called does not reply to a call sent three times at intervals of 2 minutes, the calling must cease and must not be renewed until after an interval of 15 minutes; however, if there is no reason to believe that harmful interference will be caused to other communications in progress, the call sent three times at intervals of 2 minutes may be repeated after a pause of not less than 3 minutes. In event of an emergency involving safety, the provisions of this paragraph do not apply.

(e) Limitations on working. Any one exchange of communications between any two ship stations on 2003, 2142, 2638, 2738, or 2830 kHz or between a ship station and a private coast station on 2738 or 2830 kHz must not exceed 3 minutes after the stations have established contact. Subsequent to such exchange of communications, the same two stations must not again use 2003, 2142, 2638, 2738, or 2830 kHz for communication with each other until 10 minutes have elapsed.

(f) Transmission limitation on 2182 kHz and 156.800 MHz. To facilitate the reception of distress calls, all transmissions on 2182 kHz and 156.800 MHz (channel 16) must be minimized and transmissions on 156.800 MHz must not exceed 1 minute.

(g) Limitations on commercial communication. On frequencies in the band 156-162 MHz, the exchange of commercial communication must be limited to the minimum practicable transmission time. In the conduct of ship-shore communication other than distress, stations on board ship must comply with instructions given by the private coast station or marine utility station on shore with which they are communicating.

(a) Except for compulsory vessels, each ship radiotelephone station licensed to operate in the band 1605-3500 kHz must be able to receive and transmit J3E emission on the frequency 2182 kHz. Ship stations are additionally authorized to receive and transmit H3E emission for communications with foreign coast stations and with vessels of foreign registry. If the station is used for other than safety communications, it must be capable also of receiving and transmitting the J3E emission on at least two other frequencies in that band. However, ship stations which operate exclusively on the Mississippi River and its connecting waterways, and on high frequency bands above 3500 kHz, need be equipped with 2182 kHz and one other frequency within the band 1605-3500 kHz.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, at least one VHF radiotelephone transmitter/receiver must be able to transmit and receive on the following frequencies:

(1) The distress, safety and calling frequency 156.800 MHz;

(2) The primary intership safety frequency 156.300 MHz;

(3) One or more working frequencies; and

(4) All other frequencies necessary for its service.

(c) Where a ship ordinarily has no requirement for VHF communications, handheld VHF equipment may be used solely to comply with the bridge-to-bridge navigational communication requirements contained in subpart U of this part.

Ship stations must maintain a watch on 2182 kHz as prescribed by § 80.304.

Each compulsory vessel, while underway, must maintain a watch for radiotelephone distress calls on 156.800 MHz whenever such station is not being used for exchanging communications. For GMDSS ships, 156.525 MHz is the calling frequency for distress, safety, and general communications using digital selective calling and the watch on 156.800 MHz is provided so that ships not fitted with DSC will be able to call GMDSS ships, thus providing a link between GMDSS and non-GMDSS compliant ships. The watch on 156.800 MHz is not required:

(a) Where a ship station is operating only with handheld bridge-to-bridge VHF radio equipment under § 80.143(c) of this part; or

(b) For vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act and participating in a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) system when the watch is maintained on both the bridge-to-bridge frequency and a separately assigned VTS frequency.

(a) [Reserved]

(b) The following licenses are issued by the Commission. The international classification of each license, if different from the license name, is given in parentheses. The listed alphanumeric designators are the codes by which the licenses are identified in the Commission's Universal Licensing System.

(1) RR. Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (radiotelephone operator's restricted certificate).

(2) RL. Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit-Limited Use.

(3) MP. Marine Radio Operator Permit (radiotelephone operator's restricted certificate).

(4) PG. General Radiotelephone Operator License (radiotelephone operator's general certificate).

(5) DO. GMDSS Radio Operator's License (General Operator's Certificate).

(6) RG. Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator's License (Restricted Operator's Certificate).

(7) DM. GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License.

(8) DB. GMDSS Radio Operator/Maintainer License.

(9)-(11) [Reserved]

(12) T. Radiotelegraph Operator License.

(c) The following license endorsements are affixed by the Commission to provide special authorizations or restrictions. Applicable licenses are given in parentheses.

(1) Ship Radar endorsement (First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, Radiotelegraph Operator License, General Radiotelephone Operator License).

(2) Six Months Service endorsement (First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, Radiotelegraph Operator License).

(3) Restrictive endorsements; relating to physical disabilities, English language or literacy waivers, or other matters (all licenses).

(a) Each telegraphy passenger ship equipped with a radiotelegraph station in accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must carry two radio officers holding a First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or Radiotelegraph Operator License.

(b) Each cargo ship equipped with a radiotelegraph station in accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act and which has a radiotelegraph auto alarm must carry a radio officer holding a First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or Radiotelegraph Operator License who has had at least six months service as a radio officer on board U.S. ships. If the radiotelegraph station does not have an auto alarm, a second radio officer who holds a First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or Radiotelegraph Operator License must be carried.

(c) Each cargo ship equipped with a radiotelephone station in accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must carry a radio operator who meets the following requirements:

(1) Where the station power does not exceed 1500 watts peak envelope power, the operator must hold a marine radio operator permit or higher class license.

(2) Where the station power exceeds 1500 watts peak envelope power, the operator must hold a general radiotelephone radio operator license or higher class license.

(d) Each passenger ship equipped with a GMDSS installation in accordance with subpart W of this part shall carry at least two persons holding an appropriate GMDSS Radio Operator License or, if the passenger ship operates exclusively within twenty nautical miles of shore, at least two persons holding either a GMDSS Radio Operator License or a Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator License, as specified in § 13.7 of this chapter.

(e) Each ship transporting more than six passengers for hire equipped with a radiotelephone station in accordance with Part III of Title III of the Communications Act must carry a radio operator who meets the following requirements:

(1) Where the station power does not exceed 250 watts carrier power or 1500 watts peak envelope power, the radio operator must hold a marine radio operator permit or higher class license.

(2) Where the station power exceeds 250 watts carrier power or 1500 watts peak envelope power, the radio operator must hold a general radiotelephone operator license or higher class license.

(a) No radio operator authorization is required to operate:

(1) A shore radar, a shore radiolocation, maritime support or shore radionavigation station;

(2) A survival craft station or an emergency position indicating radio beacon;

(3) A ship radar station if:

(i) The radar frequency is determined by a nontunable, pulse type magnetron or other fixed tuned device, and

(ii) The radar is capable of being operated exclusively by external controls;

(4) An on board station; or

(5) A ship station operating in the VHF band on board a ship voluntarily equipped with radio and sailing on a domestic voyage.

(b) No radio operator license is required to install a VHF transmitter in a ship station if the installation is made by, or under the supervision of, the licensee of the ship station and if modifications to the transmitter other than front panel controls are not made.

(c) No operator license is required to operate coast telephone stations or marine utility stations.

(d) No radio operator license is required to install a radar station on a voluntarily equipped ship when a manual is included with the equipment that provides step-by-step instructions for the installation, calibration, and operation of the radar. The installation must be made by, or under the supervision of, the licensee of that ship station and no modifications or adjustments other than to the front panel controls are to be made to the equipment.

(a) Transmitter power shown on the radio station authorization is the maximum power the licensee is authorized to use. Power is expressed in the following terms:

(1) For single sideband emission: Peak evelope power;

(2) For G3E emission: Carrier power;

(3) For PON and F3N emission: Mean power;

(4) For all emissions in the 1626.5-1646.5 MHz band: equivalent isotropic radiated power.

(5) For all other emissions: the carrier power multiplied by 1.67.

(b) Coast station frequencies below 27500 kHz. The maximum power must not exceed the values listed below.

(1) Public coast stations, except Alaska:

(i) Radiotelegraphy:

100-160 kHz—80kW

405-525 kHz—40kW

2035-2065 kHz—6.6kW

4000-8000 kHz—10kW

8000-9000 kHz—20kW

12000-27500 kHz—30kW

(ii) Radiotelephony:

2000-4000 kHz—day—800W

2000-4000 kHz—night—400W

4000-27500 kHz—10kW

(2) Private coast stations, except in Alaska: 1kW

(3) Coast stations in Alaska, public and private:

405-525 kHz—265W

1605-12000 kHz—150W

(c) Coast station frequencies above 27500 kHz. The maximum power must not exceed the values listed below.

(1) Coast stations:

156-162 MHz-50W ^{1 2 13}

¹ Maximum authorized power at the input terminals of the station antenna.

216-220 MHz ²

² See paragraph (h) of this section.

(2) Marine utility stations:

156-162 MHz—10W

(d) Ship station frequencies below 27500 kHz. The maximum power must not exceed the values listed below:

(1) Radiotelegraphy: All ships—2kW ³

³ For passenger ships 5000 gross tons and over—8kW. For cable-repair ships operating on radiodetermination frequencies, 15 watts; see § 80.375(b).

(2) Radiotelephony:

(i) All ships—Great Lakes and Inland Waters—150W

(ii) All ships—Open waters; 2000-4000 kHz—150W

2182 kHz—emergency, urgency, or safety ship to shore—400W ⁴

⁴ For passenger ships 5000 gross tons and over—1kW.

(iii) All ships—Open waters; 4000-27500 kHz—1.5kW ⁵ .

⁵ For passenger ships 5,000 gross tons and over 3kW.

(3) Digital selective calling:

All ships 415-526.5 kHz—400 W

All ships 1605-4000 kHz—400 W

All ships 4000-27500 kHz—1.5 kW

(e) Ship stations frequencies above 27500 kHz. The maximum power must not exceed the values listed below.

(1) Ship stations 156-162 MHz—25W ⁶

⁶ Reducible to 1 watt or less, except for transmitters limited to public correspondence channels and used in an automated system.

(2) Ship stations 216-220 MHz—25W ⁷

⁷ [Reserved]

(3) On board stations 456-468 MHz—4W ⁸

⁸ Certification based on a carrier power of 4 watts with transmitter connected to a dummy load of matching impedance. The effective radiated power must not exceed 2 watts.

(4) Ship earth stations 1626.5-1646.5 MHz ⁹

⁹ See paragraph (k) of this section.

(5) Ship radar stations with F3N emission—200 mW

(6) EPIRB—121.500 and 243.00 MHz ¹⁰

¹⁰ See subpart V of this part.

(7) EPIRB—156.750 and 156.800 MHz ¹⁰

(f) Fixed stations. The maximum power must not exceed the values + listed below.

(1) Maritime support (receiver test):

R3E and J3C emission—150W

F3E emission—50W

(2) Operational fixed: 72-76 MHz and above 162 MHz ¹¹

¹¹ See paragraph (l) of this section.

(3) Alaska—Private fixed: ¹²

¹² The frequencies 156.375 MHz and 156.650 MHz are primarily intership frequencies. When authorized for coast stations on a secondary basis, the normal output power must not exceed 1 watt and the maximum output power must not exceed 10 watts.

10-200 kHz—650W

405-525 kHz—265W

1605-12000 kHz—150W

(4) Alaska—Public fixed:

405-525 kHz—1kW

1605-12000 kHz—1kW

(g) The carrier power of ship station radiotelephone transmitters, except portable transmitters, operating in the 156-162 MHz band must be at least 8 but not more than 25 watts. Transmitters that use 12 volt lead acid storage batteries as a primary power source must be measured with a primary voltage between 12.2 and 13.7 volts DC. Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, equipment in radiotelephone ship stations operating in the 156-162 MHz band must meet the following requirements:

(1) All transmitters and remote control units must be capable of reducing the carrier power to one watt or less;

(2) Except as indicated in (g)(4) of this section, all transmitters manufactured after January 21, 1987, or in use after January 21, 1997, must automatically reduce the carrier power to one watt or less when the transmitter is tuned to 156.375 MHz or 156.650 MHz, and must be provided with a manual override switch which when held by an operator will permit full carrier power operation on 156.375 MHz and 156.650 MHz;

(3) [Reserved]

(4) Hand-held portable transmitters are not required to comply with the automatic reduction of carrier power in (g)(2) of this section; and

(5) Transmitters dedicated for use on public correspondence duplex channels as additional equipment to a VHF ship station in the Great Lakes which meet all pertinent rules in this part are not required to reduce their carrier power to one watt.

(h) Coast stations in an AMTS may radiate as follows, subject to the condition that no harmful interference will be caused to television reception except that TV services authorized subsequent to the filing of the AMTS station application will not be protected.

(1) When located more than 169 kilometers (105 miles) from the antenna of a Channel 13 TV station and more than 129 kilometers (80 miles) from the antenna of a channel 10 station, the ERP of coast stations having an antenna height of 61 meters (200 feet) or less above ground must not exceed 1000 watts.

(2) Coast stations located less than 169 kilometers (105 miles) from a channel 13 TV station, or less than 129 kilometers (80 miles) from a channel 10 TV station, or when using a transmitting antenna height above ground greater than 61 meters (200 feet), must submit a plan to limit interference to TV reception, unless the station's predicted interference contour is fully encompassed by the composite interference contour of the system's existing stations, or the station's predicted interference contour extends the system's composite interference contour over water only (disregarding uninhabited islands). The plan must include:

(i) A description of the interference contour with indentification of the method used to determine this contour; and

(ii) A statement concerning the number of residences within the interference contour. The interference contour includes only areas inside the TV grade B contour with the latter determined assuming maximum permissible TV antenna height and power for broadcast stations and the actual facility parameters for translators and low power TV stations. See part 73, subpart E of this chapter for further information on TV grade B contour determination.

(3) When located as described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section, the coast station (or stations affecting the same TV Grade B contour) will be authorized if the applicant's plan has limited the interference contour(s) to fewer than 100 residences or if the applicant:

(i) Shows that the proposed site is the only suitable location (which, at the application stage, requires a showing that the proposed site is especially well-suited to provide the proposed service);

(ii) Develops a plan to control any interference caused to TV reception within the Grade B contour from its operations; and

(iii) Agrees to make such adjustments in the TV receivers affected as may be necessary to eliminate interference caused by its operations.

(4) The applicant must eliminate any interference caused by its operation to TV reception within the Grade B contour that might develop within 90 days of the time it is notified in writing by the Commission. If this interference is not removed within the 90-day period, operation of the coast station must be discontinued. The licensee is expected to help resolve all complaints of interference, whether inside or outside the Grade B contour.

(5) The transmitter power, as measured at the input terminals to the station antenna, must be 50 watts or less.

(i) A ship station must have a transmitter output not exceeding 25 watts and an ERP not exceeding 18 watts. The maximum transmitter output power is permitted to be increased to 50 watts under the following conditions:

(1) Increases exceeding 25 watts are made only by radio command from the controlling coast stations; and

(2) The application for an equipment authorization demonstrates that the transmitter output power is 25 watts or less when external radio commands are not present.

(j) A ship installation with a transmitter output power exceeding 25 watts under the conditions of paragraph (i) of this section is exempted from the limitation of 18 watts ERP when operating in specific geographical areas identified in a plan for the use of higher power.

(k) Within the 1626.5-1646.5 MHz band the maximum e.i.r.p by a ship earth station in any direction in the horizontal plane or in the direction of the space station must not exceed + 40 dB relative to one watt in any 4 kHz band in the main beam, except upon a satisfactory showing of need for greater power, in which case a maximum of + 55 dB relative to one watt may be authorized.

(l) For operational fixed stations using frequencies in the 72-76 MHz band and for other classes of stations operating above 162.025 MHz, the transmitter power must be specified in the station authorization. Frequencies in the 72-76 MHz band are listed in § 80.381. The operational requirements for 72-76 MHz are contained in subpart L of this part.

(m) For radiodetermination transmitters using A1D, A2D, F1D, F2D, G1D and G2D emissions on 154.585 MHz, 159.480 MHz, 160.725 MHz, 160.785 MHz, 454.000 MHz and 459.000 MHz the mean output power of the unmodulated carrier must not exceed 25 watts.

(n) For radiodetermination stations operating above 2400 MHz the output power must be as follows:

(1) For radar stations that use F3N emission the mean output power must not exceed 200 milliwatts;

(2) For search and rescue stations the output power must be at least 400 milliwatts peak e.i.r.p.

(3) For all other transponder stations the output power must not exceed 20 watts peak e.i.r.p. Licensees of non-selectable transponder coast stations operating in the 2920-3100 MHz and 9320-9500 MHz bands must notify in writing the USCG District Commander of any incremental increase of their station's output power above 5 watts peak e.i.r.p.

(a) Survival craft stations capable of transmitting on:

(1) 2182 kHz must be able to operate with A3E or H3E and J2B and J3E emissions;

(2) 121.500 MHz must be able to operate with A3E or A3N emission.

(b) Survival craft stations must be able to receive the frequency and types of emission which the transmitter is capable of using.

(c) Any EPIRB carried as part of a survival craft must comply with the specific technical and performance requirements for its class contained in subpart V of this chapter.

(a) Each public coast station licensed to operate in the band 1605-3500 kHz must monitor such frequency(s) as are used for working or, at the licensee's discretion, maintain a watch on 2182 kHz.

(b) Except for distress, urgency or safety messages, coast stations must not transmit on 2182 kHz during the silence periods for three minutes twice each hour beginning at x h.00 and x h.30 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

(c) Each public coast station must provide assistance for distress communications when requested by the Coast Guard.

(a) During its hours of operation, each coast station operating in the 156-162 MHz band and serving rivers, bays and inland lakes except the Great Lakes, must maintain a safety watch on the frequency 156.800 MHz except when transmitting on 156.800 MHz.

(b) A coast station is exempt from compliance with the watch requirement when Federal, State, or Local Government stations maintain a watch on 156.800 MHz over 95% of the coast station's service area. Each licensee exempted by rule must notify the nearest district office of the U.S. Coast Guard at least thirty days prior to discontinuing the watch, or in the case of new stations, at least thirty days prior to commencing service. The Coast Guard may require any coast station to maintain the watch temporarily or permanently. The Coast Guard may also require any coast station to remain capable of either immediately resuming the watch or providing the Coast Guard direct dial-up access to the necessary 156.800 MHz transceiver at no charge so that the Coast Guard can maintain the watch.

(c) If the government station(s) providing the 156.800 MHz watch over the service area of an exempt station temporarily discontinues that watch, the exempt coast station upon receiving notice of this condition must maintain the watch on 156.800 HMz during the discontinuance. Automated maritime communications systems' compliance with this requirement is limited to the use of existing facilities.

(a) Each ship of the United States that is equipped with a radiotelephone station for compliance with subpart T of this part must when underway keep a watch on:

(1) 156.800 MHz on board a vessel 20 meters (65 feet) and over in length, a vessel engaged in towing (See § 80.951(b)), or a vessel carrying more than 6 passengers for hire. This watch must be maintained whenever the station is not being used for authorized traffic. However, a watch on 156.800 MHz need not be maintained by a vessel maintaining a watch on the bridge-to-bridge frequency 156.650 MHz and participating in a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system and maintaining a watch on the specified VTS frequency.

(2) 156.650 MHz on board a vessel 38 meters (124 feet) and over in length, a vessel engaged in towing (See § 80.951(b)), or a vessel carrying more than six passengers for hire. This watch must be maintained continuously and effectively. Sequential monitoring is not sufficient. Portable VHF equipment may be used to meet this requirement. Vessels are exempted from this requirement while transiting the St. Lawrence Seaway and complying with the Joint Regulations of the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority and St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation between the lower exit of St. Lambert Lock at Montreal and Crossover Island, New York and in the Welland Canal and approaches between Calling in Point No. 15 and No. 16.

(b) The watch must be maintained by the master, or person designated by the master, who may perform other duties provided they do not interfere with the effectiveness of the watch.

In addition to the watch requirement contained in § 80.148, all vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must keep a watch on the designated navigational frequency. The watch must be maintained by the master or person in charge of the vessel or the person designated by the master or person in charge to pilot or direct the movement of the vessel. The person standing watch may perform other duties provided such other duties do not interfere with the watch.

Voluntary vessels not equipped with DSC must maintain a watch on 2182 kHz and on 156.800 MHz (Channel 16) whenever the vessel is underway and the radio is not being used to communicate. Noncommercial vessels, such as recreational boats, may alternatively maintain a watch on 156.450 MHz (Channel 9) in lieu of VHF Channel 16 for call and reply purposes. Voluntary vessels equipped with VHF-DSC equipment must maintain a watch on 2182 kHz and on either 156.525 MHz (Channel 70) or VHF Channel 16 aurally whenever the vessel is underway and the radio is not being used to communicate. Voluntary vessels equipped with MF-HF DSC equipment must have the radio turned on and set to an appropriate DSC distress calling channel or one of the radiotelephone distress channels whenever the vessel is underway and the radio is not being used to communicate. Voluntary vessels equipped with a GMDSS-approved Inmarsat system must have the unit turned on and set to receive calls whenever the vessel is underway and the radio is not being used to communicate.

(a) General purpose calling. The following table describes the calling frequencies for use by authorized ship and coast stations for general purpose DSC. There are three series of paried frequencies. One series is for worldwide use; the other two series are for regional use. The “Series A” designation includes coast stations along, and ship stations in, the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. The “Series B” designation includes stations in any remaining areas. Stations must initiate contact on the appropriate regional frequency depending upon the location of the called station and propagation conditions. Acknowledgement is made on the paired frequency. The worldwide frequencies may be used for international calling, if calls on the appropriate regional frequencies are unsuccessful, or the regional series does not contain the appropriate band (e.g., 2 MHz). During normal working hours, all public coast stations capable of DSC operations must monitor the worldwide and regional frequencies appropriate for its location. The specific frequencies to be monitored will vary with propagation conditions.

(b) Distress and safety calling. The frequencies 2187.5 kHz, 4207.5 kHz, 6312.0 kHz, 8414.5 kHz, 12577.0 kHz, 16804.5 kHz and 156.525 MHz may be used for DSC by coast and ship stations on a simplex basis for distress and safety purposes, and may also be used for routine ship-to-ship communications provided that priority is accorded to distress and safety communications. The provisions and procedures for distress and safety calling are contained in ITU-R M.541-9 (incorporated by reference, see § 80.7), and § 80.103(c).

(c) Working frequencies. Coast and ship stations may use DSC techniques for general calling purposes on their assigned working frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band and on those frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band which are allocated for maritime control, commercial, non-commercial and public correspondence communications.

(a) Ship stations communicating with foreign coast stations may operate on any frequency designated by that coast station.

(b) Radiotelephony stations communicating with a Government station may transmit on a Government frequency when authorized to do so by the Government station or agency if the emission, bandwidth and frequency tolerance of the maritime station are within the same limits as the Government station.

(c) Frequencies assigned to Government radio stations are assignable to non-Government maritime stations for radiotelephony communications with other non-Government stations in connection with activities performed in coordination with or on behalf of the Government.

(d) Frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band will be authorized only to ship stations that in addition are authorized to use frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band.

(e) Frequencies in the 2000-2850 kHz band will be authorized to private coast stations that in addition are authorized to use frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band.

(f) Ship and coast stations authorized to use frequencies in both the 2000-27500 kHz and 156-162 MHz bands must not use frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band for communications with any other station which is within the VHF service range.

(g) Coast and ship station radiotelephone working frequencies are available for DSC general purpose calling under the provisions of § 80.207(a).

(h) Digital selective calling techniques are not authorized on the frequencies 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz.

This section describes the general uses and frequencies assignable to maritime stations for distress, urgency, safety, call and reply radiotelephony communications.

(a) In the 1605-3500 kHz band, the frequency 2182 is an international radiotelephony distress, urgency and safety frequency for ship stations, public and private coast stations, and survival craft stations. It is also used for call and reply by ship stations on a primary basis and by public coast stations on a secondary basis. The carrier frequency 2191 kHz may be used as a supplementary calling frequency in areas of heavy usage of 2182 kHz. All stations must use J3E emission when operating on 2182 and 2191 kHz, except that:

(1) H3E emission may be used on 2182 kHz for communications with foreign coast and ship stations; or,

(2) A3E emission may be used on 2182 kHz by portable survival craft stations, or transmitters authorized for use prior to January 1, 1972. See § 80.203(c).

(b) The frequencies 4125.0 kHz, 6215 kHz, 8291 kHz, 12290 kHz, and 16420 kHz may be used by coast and ship stations on a simplex basis for distress and safety communications. The frequency 4125.0 kHz may also be used for distress and safety communications between aircraft and maritime mobile stations.

(c) The frequency 5167.5 kHz is available to any station for emergency communications in the State of Alaska. Peak envelope power of stations operating on this frequency must not exceed 150 watts. This frequency may also be used by Alaska private fixed stations for calling and listening, but only for establishing communication.

(d) In the 4000-27500 kHz band, the following coast frequencies are available for assignment to public coast stations for call and reply communications. The paired ship frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations.

(e) In the 120-156 MHz band the following frequencies are used as indicated:

(1) The frequencies 121.500 MHz and 123.100 MHz using A3E emission are available for scene of action search and rescue operations to ship, coast and aircraft stations. Communications in support of search and rescue operations must employ the frequency 121.500 MHz only when communications on 123.100 MHz or other VHF frequencies is not practicable. Ship, coast and aircraft stations engaged in such communications on 121.500 MHz must shift to 123.100 MHz as soon as possible.

(2) The frequency 156.525 MHz is available for intership, ship and coast general purpose, distress and safety DSC calls.

(3) The frequency 156.800 MHz is the international radiotelephone distress, urgency, safety, call and reply frequency for ship, public and private coast stations. Stations operating on 156.800 MHz must be able to transmit and receive using G3E emission.

(4) The frequency 156.450 MHz (channel 9) is available for intership, ship and coast station general purpose calling by noncommercial vessels, such as recreational boats. Distress, urgency and safety calls should initially be made on 156.800 MHz (channel 16) or, if equipped with DSC, on 156.525 MHz (channel 70).

This section describes the carrier frequencies assignable for ship-to-ship and ship-to-coast private communications.

(a) Special requirements for private coast stations. Assignment to private coast stations of radiotelephony frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band are subject to the following:

(1) Private coast stations must use J3E emission.

(2) On 2182 kHz, private coast stations must be capable of receiving J3E and H3E emissions.

(3) Except in the Mississippi River System and Great Lakes, private coast stations serving lakes or rivers are not authorized on the 2000-2850 kHz band.

(4) Private coast stations may use DSC for calling on their assigned frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band and on those frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band which are allocated for maritime control, commercial and non-commercial communications.

(b) Frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band for intership safety and other communications. This paragraph describes the geographic areas of operation and the frequencies and limitations in the band available for assignment for intership safety and operational simplex radiotelephone communications.

(1) Frequencies avaiable.

(2) Except for 2093.0 kHz and 2214.0 kHz the frequencies shown in paragraph (b)(1) of this section are authorized primarily for intership safety communications in the indicated geographic area.

(3) Except for the frequencies 2093.0 kHz, 2214.0 kHz and 2670.0 kHz, the frequencies shown in paragraph (b)(1) of this section may be used on a non-interference basis to safety communications, for operational communications and, in the case of commercial transport ships and ships of municipal and state governments, for business communications.

(4) Ship stations may communicate with government coast stations on 2003.0 kHz about passage of vessels. Interference must not be caused to communications on the St. Lawrence Seaway and on the St. Mary's River.

(5) Ship stations may use 2670.0 kHz for communications with coast and ship stations of the U.S. Coast Guard. When a ship is not equipped to transmit on 2670.0 kHz or in the band 156-162 MHz the frequency 2003.0 kHz may be used on the Great Lakes for communications must not cause harmful interference to intership safety, operational and business communications.

(6) Navigational communications between ships and private coast stations may be exchanged on 2738.0 kHz and 2830.0 kHz. The frequencies 2214.0 kHz, 2738.0 kHz and 2830.0 kHz are assignable to private coast stations upon a showing that they need to communicate with commercial transport or Government ships. Private coast station applicants must show that public coast stations do not provide the required communications and harmful interference will not be caused to the intership use of these frequencies. The transmitter power must not exceed 150 watts. If 2214.0 kHz is authorized for ships, intership communication is also authorized. The geographic limitations to the frequencies 2738.0 kHz and 2830.0 kHz do not prohibit intership communication of less than 320 km (200 statute miles) when only one of the ship stations is within a permitted use geographic area.

(7) Private aircraft stations may communicate with ship stations on 2738.0 kHz and 2830.0 kHz if:

(i) The communications are limited to business or operational needs of the vessel while it is engaged in commercial fishing activities in the open sea or adjacent waters;

(ii) Harmful interference must not be caused to intership communications;

(iii) The maximum output power used for such communication must not exceed 25 watts;

(c) Frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz bands for business and operational communications. (1) The following simplex frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band are available for assignment to private coast stations for business and operational radiotelephone communications. These simplex frequencies also are available for use by authorized ship stations for business and operational radiotelephone communications.

(2) Assignment of these frequencies is subject to the following general limitations:

(i) These frequencies are shared and are not available for the exclusive use of any station. No more than one frequency from each of the frequency bands will be authorized to a private station without justification;

(ii) The emissions must be J3E or J2D except that when DSC is used the emission must be F1B or J2B; and

(iii) Maximum transmitter output power is limited to 1 kW except as noted.

(3) In addition to the frequencies shown in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the following coast transmit frequencies listed in the table in § 80.371(a) of this chapter are available for assignment to private coast stations and authorized ship stations for simplex business and operational radiotelephone communications: in the East Coast, West Coast, and Gulf Coast regions, 2482 kHz; in the Alaska region, 2309 kHz. These frequencies shall not be assigned to public coast stations before July 25, 2002. After that date, only the above frequencies in the above regions that have been assigned to at least one private coast station shall continue to be available for assignment to private coast stations. If, by that date, in any of the above regions, any of the above frequencies has not been assigned to a private coast station, that frequency in that region shall be available for assignment only to public coast stations.

(d) Radioprinter frequencies. (1) The following table describes the bands available for radioprinter simplex communications between ship and private coast stations:

Frequency Bands (kHz)

2107-2170 4750-4850

2194-2495 5060-5450

2505-2850 5700-5950 ¹

3155-3400 7300-8100 ¹

4438-4650

¹ After April 1, 2007, use of the sub-bands 5900-5950 kHz and 7300-7350 kHz shall be on the condition that harmful interference is not caused to HF broadcasting.

(2) Ship stations may conduct radioprinter communications with private coast stations on frequencies within these bands which are assigned to their associated private coast stations;

(3) Any alphanumeric code may be used; and

(4) The bandwidth of radioprinter communications on frequencies within these bands must not exceed 300 Hz.

(e) Frequencies in the 2000-27500 kHz band for medical advisory communications. (1) Private coast stations may be authorized to use any frequencies within the 2030-27500 kHz band that are allocated to Government and non-Government fixed or fixed and mobile radio services shown in the Commission's Table of Frequency Allocations contained in § 2.106 of this chapter for communications with ship stations to provide medical treatment information or advice. Assignment of these frequencies is subject to the following limitations:

(2) No protection is provided from harmful interference caused by foreign stations; and

(3) A private coast station must cease operations on a frequency that causes harmful interference to a foreign station.

(f) Frequencies in the 156-162 MHz band. The following tables describe the carrier frequencies available in the 156-162 MHz band for radiotelephone communications between ship and private coast stations. (Note: the letter “A” following the channel designator indicates simplex operation on a channel designated internationally as a duplex channel.)

(g)(1) On-board communications: This section describes the carrier frequency pairs assignable for on-board mobile radiotelephony communications. The center of the on-board repeater antenna must not be located more than 3 meters (10 feet) above the ship's working deck. These frequencies are available on a shared basis with stations in the Industrial/Business Radio Pool.

(2) Where needed, equipment designed for 12.5 kHz channel spacing using the additional frequencies 457.5375 MHz, 457.5625 MHz, 467.5375 MHz, and 467.5625 MHz may be introduced for on-board communications.

(h) Repeater frequencies in Alaska. The following frequencies are assignable on a primary basis to public and on a secondary basis to private coast stations in Alaska for maritime repeater operations:

Repeater receive: 157.275 MHz

Repeater transmit: 161.875 MHz

(i) Frequencies in the 1600-5450 kHz band for private communications in Alaska. The following simplex frequencies are available for assignment to private fixed stations located in the State of Alaska for radiotelephony communications with ship stations. These simplex frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations for radiotelephony communications with private fixed stations located in the State of Alaska.

(j) Frequencies for portable ship stations. VHF frequencies authorized for stations authorized carrier frequencies in the 156.275 MHz to 157.450 MHz and 161.575 MHz to 162.025 MHz bands may also be authorized as marine utility stations. Marine-utility stations on shore must not cause interference to any Automatic Identification System, VHF or coast station, VHF or UHF land mobile base station, or U.S. Government station.

Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting § 80.373, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

A vessel must comply with the applicable requirements for any radio and Electronic Position Indicating Radiobeacon (EPIRB) installations, including the requirements for a station license and installation certificates to be issued by the Federal Communications Commission, as set forth in 47 CFR part 80.

A durable placard must be posted next to all radiotelephone installations with the emergency broadcast instructions and information, specific to the individual vessel.

The following emergency broadcast instructions, when placed on a placard, will satisfy the requirement contained in § 184.506 for an emergency broadcast placard:

(a) Emergency Broadcast Instructions.

(1) Make sure your radiotelephone is on.

(2) Select 156.8 MHz (channel 16 VHF) or 2182 kHz. (Channel 16 VHF and 2182 kHz on SSB are for emergency and calling purposes only.)

(3) Press microphone button and, speaking slowly—clearly—calmly, say:

(i) “MAYDAY—MAYDAY—MAYDAY” for situations involving Immediate Danger to Life and Property; or

(ii) “PAN—PAN—PAN” for urgent situations where there is No Immediate Danger to Life or Property.

(4) Say: “THIS IS (INSERT VESSEL'S NAME), (INSERT VESSEL'S NAME), (INSERT VESSEL'S NAME), (INSERT VESSEL'S CALL SIGN), OVER.”

(5) Release the microphone button briefly and listen for acknowledgment. If no one answers, repeat steps 3 & 4.

(6) If there is no acknowledgment, or if the Coast Guard or another vessel responds, say: “MAYDAY” OR “PAN”, (INSERT VESSEL'S NAME).”

(7) DESCRIBE YOUR POSITION using latitude and longitude coordinates, or range and bearing from a known point.

(8) STATE THE NATURE OF THE DISTRESS.

(9) GIVE NUMBER OF PERSONS ABOARD AND THE NATURE OF ANY INJURIES.

(10) ESTIMATE THE PRESENT SEAWORTHINESS OF YOUR VESSEL.

(11) BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR VESSEL: (INSERT LENGTH, COLOR, HULL TYPE, TRIM, MASTS, POWER, ANY ADDITIONAL DISTINGUISHING FEATURES).

(12) Say: “I WILL BE LISTENING ON CHANNEL 16/2182.”

(13) End message by saying: “THIS IS (INSERT VESSEL'S NAME & CALL SIGN).”

(14) If your situation permits, stand by the radio to await further communications with the Coast Guard or another vessel. If no answer, repeat, then try another channel.

(b) [Reserved]

(a) A vessel equipped with pilothouse control must have a fixed means of two-way communications from the operating station to the location where the means of controlling the propulsion machinery, required by § 184.620(a) of this part, is located. Twin screw vessels with pilothouse control for both engines are not required to have a fixed communications system.

(b) A vessel equipped with auxiliary means of steering, required by § 182.620 of this subchapter, must have a fixed means of two-way communications from the operating station to the location where the auxiliary means of steering is controlled.

(c) When the propulsion machinery of a vessel cannot be controlled from the operating station, an efficient communications system must be provided between the operating station and the propulsion machinery space.

(d) When the locations addressed in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section are sufficiently close together, direct voice communications satisfactory to the cognizant OCMI is acceptable instead of the required fixed means of communications.

(e) The OCMI may accept hand held portable radios as satisfying the communications system requirement of this section.

(a) Except as noted in paragraphs (d) and (e) below, each vessel must be equipped with a public address system.

(b) On a vessel of more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, the public address system must be a fixed installation and be audible during normal operating conditions throughout the accommodation spaces and all other spaces normally manned by crew members.

(c) A vessel with more than one passenger deck and a vessel with overnight accommodations must have the public address system operable from the operating station.

(d) On a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length, a battery powered bullhorn may serve as the public address system if audible throughout the accommodation spaces of the vessel during normal operating conditions. The bullhorn's batteries are to be continually maintained at a fully charged level by use of a battery charger or other means acceptable to the cognizant OCMI.

(e) On a vessel of not more than 19.8 meters (65 feet) in length carrying not more than 49 passengers, a public address system is not required if a public announcement made from operating station without amplification can be heard throughout the accommodation spaces of the vessel during normal operating conditions, to the satisfaction of the cognizant OCMI.