US LAWS, STATUTES & CODES ON-LINE

(e) Canada/U.S.A. VHF channeling arrangement on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway. Channels on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway will be assigned as follows:

(1) The provisions of the arrangement apply to the waters of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway within the coordination boundaries of “Arrangement A” of the Canada/U.S.A. Frequency Coordination Agreement above 30 MHz.

(2) The arrangement applies to the following public correspondence channels: Channels 24, 84, 25, 85, 26, 86, 27, 87, 28, and 88.

(3) Canada and the U.S.A. use the following channeling arrangement:

(i) Canadian channels: 24, 85, 27, 88 (Note 1).

(ii) U.S.A. channels: 84, 25, 86, 87, 28 (Note 2).

(iii) Shared channels: 26 (Note 3).

Notes: 1. Also assignable to U.S. Stations within the frequency coordination zone following successful coordination with Canada.

(f) Canada/U.S.A. channeling arrangement for East Coast VHF maritime mobile public correspondence. For purposes of this section, channels on the east coast will be assigned as follows:

(1) The provisions of the arrangement apply to the Canadian and U.S.A. east coast waters including the St. Lawrence Seaway within the coordination boundaries of “Arrangement A” of the Canada/U.S.A. Frequency Coordination Agreement above 30 MHz.

(2) The arrangement applies to the following public correspondence channels: Channels 24, 84, 25, 85, 26, 86, 27, 87, 28, and 88.

(3) Canada and the U.S.A. use the following channeling arrangement:

(i) Canadian channels: 24, 85, 27, 88 (Note 1).

(ii) U.S.A. channels: 84, 25, 86, 87, 28 (Note 2).

(iii) Shared channel: 26 (Note 3).

Notes: 1. Also assignable to U.S. stations within the frequency coordination zone following successful coordination with Canada.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998]

(a) Inspection of ships subject to the Communications Act or the Safety Convention.

(1) The FCC will not normally conduct the required inspections of ships subject to the inspection requirements of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention.

Note: Nothing in this section prohibits Commission inspectors from inspecting ships. The mandatory inspection of U. S. vessels must be conducted by an FCC-licensed technician holding an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License, GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License, Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate in accordance with the following table:

(2) A certification that the ship has passed an inspection must be entered into the ship's log by the inspecting technician. The technician conducting the inspection and providing the certification must not be the vessel's owner, operator, master, or employee or their affiliates. Additionally, the vessel owner, operator, or ship's master must certify in the station log that the inspection was satisfactory. There are no FCC prior notice requirements for any inspection pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section. An inspection of the bridge-to-bridge radio stations on board vessels subject to the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act must be conducted by the same FCC-licensed technician.

(3) Additionally, for passenger vessels operated on an international voyage the inspecting technician must send a completed FCC Form 806 to the Officer in Charge, Marine Safety Office, United States Coast Guard in the Marine Inspection Zone in which the ship is inspected.

(4) In the event that a ship fails to pass an inspection the inspecting technician must make a log entry detailing the reason that the ship did not pass the inspection. Additionally, the technician must notify the vessel owner, operator, or ship's master that the vessel has failed the inspection.

(5) Because such inspections are intended to ensure the availability of communications capability during a distress the Commission will vigorously investigate reports of fraudulent inspections, or violations of the Communications Act or the Commission's Rules related to ship inspections. FCC-licensed technicians, ship owners or operators should report such violations to the Commission through its National Call Center at 1–888–CALL FCC (1–888–225–5322).

(b) Inspection and certification of a ship subject to the Great Lakes Agreement. The FCC will not inspect Great Lakes Agreement vessels. An inspection and certification of a ship subject to the Great Lakes Agreement must be made by a technician holding one of the following: an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License, a GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License, a Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or a First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate. The certification required by §80.953 must be entered into the ship's log. The technician conducting the inspection and providing the certification must not be the vessel's owner, operator, master, or an employee of any of them. Additionally, the vessel owner, operator, or ship's master must certify that the inspection was satisfactory. There are no FCC prior notice requirements for any inspection pursuant to §80.59(b).

(c) Application for exemption. (1) Applications for exemption from the radio provisions of part II or III of title III of the Communications Act, the Safety Convention, or the Great Lakes Radio Agreement, or for modification or renewal of an exemption previously granted must be filed as a waiver request using FCC Form 605. Waiver requests must include the following information:

(i) Name of ship;

(ii) Call sign of ship;

(iii) Official number of ship;

(iv) Gross tonnage of ship;

(v) The radio station requirements from which the exemption is requested:

(A) Radiotelephone (VHF/MF);

(B) Radiotelegraph; and/or

(C) Radio direction finding apparatus;

(vi) File number of any previously granted exemption;

(vii) Detailed description of the voyages for which the exemption is requested, including:

(A) Maximum distance from nearest land in nautical miles;

(B) Maximum distance between two consecutive ports in nautical miles; and

(C) Names of all ports of call and an indication of whether travel will include a foreign port;

(viii) Reasons for the exemption:

(A) Size of vessel;

(B) Variety of radio equipment on board;

(C) Limited routes; and/or

(D) Conditions of voyages;

(ix) A copy of the U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection an indication of whether the vessel is certified as a Passenger or Cargo ship (for passenger ships, list the number of passengers the ship is licensed to carry); and

(x) Type and quantity of radio equipment on board, including:

(A) VHF Radio Installation (indicate if GMDSS approved);

(B) Single Side-Band (SSB) (indicate the band of operation, MF or HF and indicate if GMDSS approved);

(C) Category 1, 406 MHz EPIRB (GMDSS approved);

(D) NAVTEX Receiver (GMDSS approved);

(E) Survival Craft VHF (GMDSS approved);

(F) 9 GHz Radar Transponder (GMDSS approved);

(G) Ship Earth Station;

(H) 2182 Radiotelephone Auto Alarm

(I) Reserve Power Supply (capability); and

(J) Any other equipment.

(2) Feeable applications for exemption must be filed with Mellon Bank, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the address set forth in §1.1102. Waiver requests that do not require a fee should be submitted via the Universal Licensing System or to: Federal Communications Commission, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325–7245. Emergency requests must be filed with the Federal Communications Commission, Office of the Secretary, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., TW-B204, Washington, DC 20554.

Note: With emergency requests, do not send the fee, you will be billed.

(d) Waiver of annual inspection. (1) The Commission may, upon a finding that the public interest would be served, grant a waiver of the annual inspection required by Section 362(b) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 360(b), for a period of not more than 90 days for the sole purpose of enabling a United States vessel to complete its voyage and proceed to a port in the United States where an inspection can be held. An informal application must be submitted by the ship's owner, operator or authorized agent. The application must be submitted to the Commission's District Director or Resident Agent in charge of the FCC office nearest the port of arrival at least three days before the ship's arrival. The application must include:

(i) The ship's name and radio call sign;

(ii) The name of the first United States port of arrival directly from a foreign port;

(iii) The date of arrival;

(iv) The date and port at which annual inspection will be formally requested to be conducted;

(v) The reason why an FCC-licensed technician could not perform the inspection; and

(vi) A statement that the ship's compulsory radio equipment is operable.

(2) Vessels that are navigated on voyages outside of the United States for more than 12 months in succession are exempted from annual inspection required by section 362(b) of the Communications Act, provided that the vessels comply with all applicable requirements of the Safety Convention, including the annual inspection required by Regulation 9, Chapter I, and the vessel is inspected by an FCC-licensed technician in accordance with this section within 30 days of arriving in the United States.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 56 FR 64715, Dec. 12, 1991; 60 FR 50122, Sept. 28, 1995; 61 FR 8478, Mar. 5, 1996; 61 FR 25805, May 23, 1996; 63 FR 29658, June 1, 1998; 63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998; 64 FR 53241, Oct. 1, 1999; 68 FR 46960, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64671, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) Except as specified in §20.15(c) of this chapter with respect to commercial mobile radio service providers, charges must not be made for service of:

(1) VHF Public Coast area licensees, see §80.371(c)(1)(ii), may partition their geographic service area or disaggregate their spectrum pursuant to the procedures set forth in this section.

(2) AMTS geographic area licensees, see §80.385(a)(3), may partition their geographic service area or disaggregate their spectrum pursuant to the procedures set forth in this section. Site-based AMTS public coast station licensees may partition their license or disaggregate their spectrum pursuant to the procedures set forth in this section, provided that the partitionee or disaggregatee's predicted 38 dBu signal level contour does not extend beyond the partitioner or disaggregator's predicted 38 dBu signal level contour. The predicted 38 dBu signal level contours shall be calculated using the F(50, 50) field strength chart for Channels 7–13 in §73.699 (Fig. 10) of this chapter, with a 9 dB correction for antenna height differential.

(3) Nationwide or multi-region LF, MF, and HF public coast station licensees, see §§80.357(b)(1), 80.361(a), 80.363(a)(2), 80.371(b), and 80.374, may partition their spectrum pursuant to the procedures set forth in this section, except that frequencies or frequency pairs licensed to more than one licensee as of March 13, 2002 may be partitioned only by the earliest licensee, and only on the condition that the partitionee shall operate on a secondary, non-interference basis to stations licensed as of March 13, 2002 other than the earliest licensee. Coordination with government users is required for partitioning of spectrum the licensing of which is subject to coordination with government users.

(b) Technical standards—(1) Partitioning. In the case of partitioning, all requests for authorization for partial assignment of a license must include, as an attachment, a description of the partitioned service area. The partitioned service area shall be defined by coordinate points at every 3 degrees along the partitioned service area unless an FCC-recognized service area is utilized (e.g., Metropolitan Service Area, Rural Service Area, or Economic Area) or county lines are used. The geographic coordinates must be specified in degrees, minutes, and seconds to the nearest second of latitude and longitude, and must be based upon the 1983 North American Datum (NAD83). In a case where an FCC-recognized service area or county lines are utilized, applicants need only list the specific area(s) (through use of FCC designations or county names) that constitute the partitioned area.

(2) Disaggregation. VHF (156–162 MHz) spectrum may only be disaggregated according to frequency pairs. AMTS spectrum may be disaggregated in any amount.

(3) Combined partitioning and disaggregation. The Commission will consider requests for partial assignment of licenses that propose combinations of partitioning and disaggregation.

(c) License term. The license term for a partitioned license area and for disaggregated spectrum shall be the remainder of the original licensee's term as provided for in §80.25 of this part.

(d) Construction Requirements—(1) Partitioning. Partial assignors and assignees for license partitioning have two options to meet construction requirements. Under the first option, the partitionor and partitionee would each certify that they will independently satisfy the substantial service requirement for their respective partitioned areas. If either licensee failed to meet its substantial service showing requirement, only the non-performing licensee's renewal application would be subject to dismissal. Under the second option, the partitioner certifies that it has met or will meet the substantial service requirement for the entire market. If the partitioner fails to meet the substantial service standard, however, only its renewal application would be subject to forfeiture at renewal.

(2) Disaggregation. Partial assignors and assignees for license disaggregation have two options to meet construction requirements. Under the first option, the disaggregator and disaggregatee would certify that they each will share responsibility for meeting the substantial service requirement for the geographic service area. If parties choose this option and either party fails to do so, both licenses would be subject to forfeiture at renewal. The second option would allow the parties to agree that either the disaggregator or the disaggregatee would be responsible for meeting the substantial service requirement for the geographic service area. If parties choose this option, and the party responsible for meeting the construction requirement fails to do so, only the license of the nonperforming party would be subject to forfeiture at renewal.

(3) Site-based AMTS, and nationwide or multi-region LF, MF, and HF public coast. Parties seeking to acquire a partitioned license or disaggregated spectrum from a site-based AMTS, or nationwide or multi-region LF, MF, and HF public coast licensee will be required to construct and commence “service to subscribers” in all facilities acquired through such transactions within the original construction deadline for each facility as set forth in §80.49. Failure to meet the individual construction deadline will result in the automatic termination of the facility's authorization.

[63 FR 40063, July 27, 1998, as amended at 67 FR 48563, July 25, 2002; 69 FR 64671, Nov. 8, 2004]

All stations and required station records must be made available for inspection by authorized representatives of the Commission.

(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 coast stations licensed to transmit in the band 156–162 MHz must be able to transmit and receive on 156.800 MHz and at least one working frequency in the band.

(b) All coast stations that operate telephony on frequencies in the 1605–3500 kHz band must be able to transmit and receive using J3E emission on the frequency 2182 kHz and at least one working frequency in the band.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46960, Aug. 7, 2003]

Public coast station using telegraphy must be provided with the following facilities.

(a) Stations having a frequency assignment below 150 kHz must:

(1) Transmit A1A emission on at least one working frequency within the band 100–150 kHz;

(2) Receive A1A emission on all radio channels authorized for transmission by mobile stations operating in the maritime mobile service for telegraphy within the band 100–150 kHz.

(b) Stations having a frequency assignment within the 405–525 kHz band must transmit and receive on 500 kHz and at least one working frequency in the band.

(c) Stations having frequency assignments above 4000 kHz must be equipped to receive on each of their assigned frequencies and all ship station radiotelegraphy frequencies in the same sub-band as the assigned frequency of the coast station. See subpart H of this part for the list of frequencies.

Public coast stations using telephony must be provided with the following facilities.

(a) When the station is authorized to use frequencies in the 1605–3500 kHz band, equipment meeting the requirements of §80.67(b) must be installed at each transmitting location.

(b) The transmitter power on the frequency 2182 kHz must not exceed 50 watts carrier power for normal operation. During distress, urgency and safety traffic, operation at maximum power is permitted.

(a) Coast stations which transmit on the same radio channel above 150 MHz must minimize interference by reducing radiated power, by decreasing antenna height or by installing directional antennas. Coast stations at locations separated by less than 241 kilometers (150 miles) which transmit on the same radio channel above 150 MHz must also consider a time-sharing arrangement. The Commission may order station changes if agreement cannot be reached between the involved licensees.

(b) Coast stations which transmit on a radio channel above 150 MHz and are located within interference range of any station within Canada or Mexico must minimize interference to the involved foreign station(s), and must notify the Commission of any station changes.

(c) A VHF (156–162 MHz) public coast licensee initially authorized on any of the channels listed in the table in §80.371(c)(1), or an AMTS licensee initially authorized on any of the channel blocks listed in the table in §80.385(a)(2), may transfer or assign its channel(s), or channel block(s), to another entity. If the proposed transferee or assignee is the geographic area licensee for the geographic area to which the frequency block is allocated, such transfer or assignment will be deemed to be in the public interest. However, such presumption will be rebuttable.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 40063, July 27, 1998; 67 FR 48564, July 25, 2002]

Each coast station, Alaska-public fixed station and Alaska-private fixed station must provide operating controls in accordance with the following:

(a) Each station using telegraphy or telephony must be capable of changeover from transmission to reception and vice versa within two seconds excluding a change in operating radio channel.

(b) During it hours of service, each station must be capable of:

(1) Commencing operation within one minute after the need to do so occurs;

(2) Discontinuing all emission within five seconds after emission is no longer desired. The emission of an unattended station in an automated multistation system at which restoration to standby is automatic on conclusion of a call must be discontinued within three seconds of the disconnect signal or, if a disconnect signal is not received, within twenty seconds after reception of the final carrier transmission from a ship station.

(c) Each station using a multichannel installation for telegraphy must be capable of changing from one telegraphy channel to any other telegraphy channel within the same sub-band below 525 kHz within five seconds. This requirement need not be met by equipment intended for use only in emergencies and not used for normal communication.

(d) Every coast station using a multi-channel installation for radiotelephony must be capable of changing from one telephony channel to another telephony channel within:

(1) Five seconds within the frequency band 1605–3500 kHz; or

(2) Three seconds within the band 156–162 MHz. This requirement also applies to marine utility stations.

All emissions of a coast station a marine-utility station operated on shore using telephony within the frequency band 30–200 MHz must be vertically polarized.

A “busy” signal, when used by a public coast station in accordance with the provisions of §80.111(d), must consist of the transmission of a single audio frequency regularly interrupted, as follows:

(a) Audio frequency: Not less than 100 nor more than 1100 Hertz, provided the frequency used for this purpose will not cause auto alarms or selective-ringing devices to be operated.

(b) Rate of interruption: 60 times per minute ±10%.

(c) Duration of each interruption: 0.5 second ±10%.

Each coast or fixed station subject to this part must have the following facilities:

(a) Except for marine utility stations, a visual indication of antenna current; or a pilot lamp, meter or equivalent device which provides continuous visual indication whenever the transmitter control circuits have been actuated.

(b) Capability to aurally monitor all transmissions originating at dispatch points and to disconnect the dispatch points from the transmitter or to terminate the operation of the transmitter.

(c) Facilities which will permit the responsible operator to turn the carrier of the radio transmitter on and off at will.

The Governments or appropriate administrations of countries which a ship visits may require the license of the ship station or ship earth station to be produced for examination. When the license cannot be produced without delay or when irregularities are observed, Governments or administrations may inspect the radio installations to satisfy themselves that the installation conforms to the conditions imposed by the Radio Regulations.

(a) Each control point must be capable of:

(1) Starting and discontinuing operation of the station;

(2) Changing frequencies within the same sub-band;

(3) Changing from transmission to reception and vice versa.

(4) In the case of stations operating in the 156–162 MHz bands, reducing power output to one watt or less in accordance with §80.215(e).¹

(b) Each ship station using telegraphy must be capable of changing from telegraph transmission to telegraph reception and vice versa without manual switching.

(c) Each ship station using telephony must be capable of changing from transmission to reception and vice versa within two seconds excluding a change in operating radio channel.

(d) During its hours of service, each ship station must be capable of:

(1) Commencing operation within one minute;

(2) Discontinuing all emission within five seconds after emission is no longer desired.

(e) Each ship station using a multi-channel installation for telegraphy (except equipment intended for use only in emergencies on frequencies below 515 kHz) must be capable of changing from one radio channel to another within:

(1) Five seconds if the channels are within the same sub-band; or

(2) Fifteen seconds if the channels are not within the same sub-band.

(f) Each ship station and marine-utility station using a multi-channel installation for telephony must be capable of changing from one radio channel to another within:

(1) Five seconds within the band 1605–3500 kHz; or

(2) Three seconds within the band 156–162 MHz.

(g)(1) Any telegraphy transmitter constructed since January 1, 1952, that operates in the band 405–525 kHz with an output power in excess of 250 watts must be capable of reducing the output power to 150 watts or less.

(2) The requirement of paragraph (g)(1) of this section does not apply when there is available in the same station a transmitter capable of operation on the international calling frequency 500 kHz and at least one working frequency within the band 405–525 kHz, capable of being energized by a source of power other than an emergency power source and not capable of an output in excess of 100 watts when operated on such frequencies.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35244, Sept. 18, 1987]

All telephony emissions of a ship station or a marine utility station on board ship within the frequency band 30–200 MHz must be vertically polarized.

Any license or renewal application for a ship earth station that will cause exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation in excess of the RF exposure guidelines specified in §1.1307(b) of the Commission's Rules must comply with the environmental processing rules set forth in §§1.1301–1.1319 of this chapter.

[53 FR 28225, July 27, 1988]

In addition to being regulated by these rules, the use and operation of stations subject to this part are governed by the Radio Regulations and the radio provisions of all other international agreements in force to which the United States is a party.

Each radio channel is available for use on a shared basis only and is not available for the exclusive use of any one station or station licensee. Station licensees must cooperate in the use of their respective frequency assignments in order to minimize interference and obtain the most effective use of the authorized radio channels.

The station licensee, the master of the ship, the responsible radio operators and any person who may have knowledge of the radio communications transmitted or received by a fixed, land, or mobile station subject to this part, or of any radiocommunication service of such station, must observe the secrecy requirements of the Communications Act and the Radio Regulations. See sections 501, 502, and 705 of the Communications Act and Article 23 of the Radio Regulations.

Stations must not:

(a) Engage in superfluous radiocommunication.

(b) Use telephony on 243 MHz.

(c) Use selective calling on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz.

(d) When using telephony, transmit signals or communications not addressed to a particular station or stations. This provision does not apply to the transmission of distress, alarm, urgency, or safety signals or messages, or to test transmissions.

(e) Transmit while on board vessels located on land unless authorized under a public coast station license. Vessels in the following situations are not considered to be on land for the purposes of this paragraph:

(1) Vessels which are aground due to a distress situation;

(2) Vessels in drydock undergoing repairs; and

(3) State or local government vessels which are involved in search and rescue operations including related training exercises.

(f) Transmit on frequencies or frequency bands not authorized on the current station license.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35244, Sept. 18, 1987; 62 FR 40304, July 28, 1997; 68 FR 46960, Aug. 7, 2003]

Transmission must be suspended immediately upon detection of a transmitter malfunction and must remain suspended until the malfunction is corrected, except for transmission concerning the immediate safety of life or property, in which case transmission must be suspended as soon as the emergency is terminated.

(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.

[68 FR 46960, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The station operator must determine that the frequency is not in use by monitoring the frequency before transmitting, except for transmission of signals of distress.

(b) When a radiocommunication causes interference to a communication which is already in progress, the interfering station must cease transmitting at the request of either party to the existing communication. As between nondistress traffic seeking to commence use of a frequency, the priority is established under §80.91.

(c) Except in cases of distress, communications between ship stations or between ship and aircraft stations must not interfere with public coast stations. The ship or aircraft stations which cause interference must stop transmitting or change frequency upon the first request of the affected coast station.

(a) All stations. All stations whose hours of service are not continuous must not suspend operation before having concluded all communication required in connection with a distress call or distress traffic.

(b) Public coast stations. (1) Each public coast station whose hours of service are not continuous must not suspend operation before having concluded all communication involving messages or calls originating in or destined to mobile stations within range and mobile stations which have indicated their presence.

(2) Unless otherwise authorized by the Commission upon adequate showing of need, each public coast station authorized to operate on frequencies in the 3000–23,000 kHz band must maintain continuous hours of service.

(c) Compulsory ship stations. (1) Compulsory ship stations whose service is not continuous may not suspend operation before concluding all traffic originating in or destined for public coast stations situated within their range and mobile stations which have indicated their presence.

(2) For GMDSS ships, radios shall be turned on and set to proper watch channels while ships are underway. If a ship has duplicate GMDSS installations for DSC or INMARSAT, only one of each must be turned on and keeping watch.

(d) Ships voluntarily fitting GMDSS subsystems. For ships voluntarily fitting GMDSS subsystems, radios shall be turned on and set to proper watch channels while ships are underway. If ship has duplicate GMDSS installations for DSC or INMARSAT, only one of each must be turned on and keeping watch.

(e) Other than public coast or compulsory ship stations. The hours of service of stations other than those described in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section are determined by the station licensee.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46960, Aug. 7, 2003]

When communicating with a coast station or any Government station in the maritime mobile service, ship stations must comply with the instruction given by the coast station or Government station relative to the order and time of transmission, the choice of frequency, the suspension of communication and the permissible type of message traffic that may be transmitted. This provision does not apply in the event of distress.

(a) Except as specified in §20.15(c) of this chapter with respect to commercial mobile radio service providers, charges must not be made for service of:

(1) Any public coast station unless tariffs for the service are on file with the Commission;

(2) Any station other than a public coast station or an Alaska—public fixed station, except cooperatively shared stations covered by §80.503;

(3) Distress calls and related traffic; and

(4) Navigation hazard warnings preceded by the SAFETY signal.

(b) The licensee of each ship station is responsible for the payment of all charges accruing to any other station(s) or facilities for the handling or forwarding of messages or communications transmitted by that station.

(c) In order to be included in the ITU List of Coast Stations public coast stations must recognize international Accounting Authority Identification Codes (AAIC) for purposes of billing and accounts settlement in accordance with Article 66 of the Radio Regulations. Stations which elect not to recognize international AAIC's will be removed from the ITU List of Coast Stations.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35244, Sept. 18, 1987; 69 FR 64671, Nov. 8, 2004]

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 applies to ships and coast stations authorized to transmit in the band 405–525 kHz.

(a) Except for the transmission of distress or urgency signals, all transmissions must cease within the band 485–515 kHz during each 500 kHz silence period.

(b) Stations transmitting telegraphy must use the service abbreviations (“Q” code) listed in Appendix 14 to the Radio Regulations.

(c) The call consists of:

(1) The call sign of the station called, not more than twice; the word “DE” and the call sign of the calling station, not more than twice; if useful, the frequency on which the called station should reply; and the letter “K”.

(2) If the call is transmitted twice at an interval of not less than one minute, it must not be repeated until after an interval of three minutes.

(d) The reply to calls consists of: The call sign of the calling station, not more than twice; the word “DE”; and the call sign of the station called, once only.

Stations authorized to use telegraphy may conduct tests on any assigned frequency. Emissions must not cause harmful interference. When radiation is necessary the radiotelegraph testing procedure described in this paragraph must be followed:

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

(b) The operator must transmit “IE” (two dots, space, one dot) on the test frequency as a warning that test emissions are about to be made.

(c) If any station transmits “AS” (wait), testing must be suspended. When transmission of “IE” is resumed and no response is heard, the test may proceed.

(d) Test signals composed of a series of “VVV” having a duration of not more than ten seconds, followed by the call sign of the testing station will be transmitted. The call sign must be sent clearly at a speed of approximately 10 words per minute. This test transmission must not be repeated until a period of at least one minute has elapsed.

[69 FR 64671, Nov. 8, 2004]

This section applies to coast, ship and survival craft stations authorized to transmit in the band 405–525 kHz.

(a) The station transmitting radiotelegraph emissions must be identified by its call sign. The call sign must be transmitted with the telegraphy emission normally used by the station. The call sign must be transmitted at 20 minute intervals when transmission is sustained for more than 20 minutes. When a ship station is exchanging public correspondence communications, the identification may be deferred until completion of each communication with any other station.

(b) The requirements of this section do not apply to survival craft stations when transmitting distress signals automatically or when operating on 121.500 MHz for radiobeacon purposes.

(c) Emergency position indicating radiobeacon stations do not require identification.

The code employed for telegraphy must be the Morse code specified in the Telegraph Regulations annexed to the International Telecommunication Convention. Pertinent extracts from the Telegraph Regulations are contained in the “Manual for Use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services” published by the International Telecommunication Union.

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.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 29659, June 1, 1998; 68 FR 46961, Aug. 7, 2003]

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.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35244, Sept. 18, 1987; 68 FR 46961, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64671, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) Operating procedures for the use of DSC equipment in the maritime mobile service are as contained in ITU-R M.541–8, “Operational Procedures for the Use of Digital Selective-Calling Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes, 1997, 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 acknowledgement of DSC distress and safety calls must be made by designated coast stations and such acknowledgement must be in accordance with procedures contained in ITU-R M.541–8, “Operational Procedures for the Use of Digital Selective-Calling Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes, 1997. Nondesignated public and private coast stations must follow the guidance provided for ship stations in ITU-R M.541–8, “Operational Procedures for the Use of Digital Selective-Calling Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes, 1997, with respect to DSC “Acknowledgement 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.

(e) ITU-R M.541–8 with Annexes, 1997, is incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of this standard can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendation can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

[68 FR 46961, Aug. 7, 2003]

This section applies to all maritime radar transmitters except radar beacon stations.

(a) Radar transmitters must not transmit station identification.

(b) [Reserved]

Each coast station or marine-utility station must acknowledge and receive all calls directed to it by ship or aircraft stations. Such stations are permitted to transmit safety communication to any ship or aircraft station. VHF (156–162 MHz) and AMTS (216–220 MHz) public coast stations may provide fixed or hybrid services on a co-primary basis with mobile operations.

[65 FR 77824, Dec. 13, 2000]

(a) Each public coast station must exchange radio communications with any ship or aircraft station at sea; and each station on shipboard or aircraft at sea must exchange radio communications with any other station on shipboard or aircraft at sea or with any public coast station.

(b) Each public coast station must acknowledge and receive all communications from mobile stations directed to it, transmit all communications delivered to it which are directed to mobile stations within range in accordance with their tariffs. Discrimination in service is prohibited.

A private coast station or a marine-utility station is authorized to transmit messages necessary for the private business and operational needs of ships and the safety of aircraft.

(a) Each coast station is authorized to transmit lists of call signs in alphabetical order of all mobile stations for which they have traffic on hand. These traffic lists will be transmitted on the station's normal working frequencies at intervals of:

(1) In the case of telegraphy, at least two hours and not more than four hours during the working hours of the coast station.

(2) In the case of radiotelephony, at least one hour and not more than four hours during the working hours of the coast station.

(b) The announcement must be as brief as possible and must not be repeated more than twice. Coast stations may announce on a calling frequency that they are about to transmit call lists on a specific working frequency.

Group calls to vessels under the common control of a single entity and information for the general benefit of mariners including storm warnings, ordinary weather, hydrographic information and press materials may be transmitted by a public coast station simultaneously to a plurality of mobile stations.

The owner of each antenna structure required to be painted and/or illuminated under the provisions of Section 303(q) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, shall operate and maintain the antenna structure painting and lighting in accordance with part 17 of this chapter. In the event of default by the owner, each licensee or permittee shall be individually responsible for conforming to the requirements pertaining to antenna structure painting and lighting.

[61 FR 4368, Feb. 6, 1996]

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.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35244, Sept. 18, 1987]

(a) The service of each ship station must at all times be under the ultimate control of the master, who must require that each operator or such station comply with the Radio Regulations in force and that the ship station is used in accordance with those regulations.

(b) These rules are waived when the vessel is under the control of the U.S. Government.

(a) Associated ship units may be operated under a ship station authorization. Use of an associated ship unit is restricted as follows;

(1) It must only be operated on the safety and calling frequency 156.800 MHz or on commercial or noncommercial VHF intership frequencies appropriate to the class of ship station with which it is associated.

(2) Except for safety purposes, it must only be used to communicate with the ship station with which it is associated or with associated ship units of the same ship station. Such associated ship units may not be used from shore.

(3) It must be equipped to transmit on the frequency 156.800 MHz and at least one appropriate intership frequency.

(4) Calling must occur on the frequency 156.800 MHz unless calling and working on an intership frequency has been prearranged.

(5) Power is limited to one watt.

(6) The station must be identified by the call sign of the ship station with which it is associated and an appropriate unit designator.

(b) State or local government vehicles used to tow vessels involved in search and rescue operations are authorized to operate on maritime mobile frequencies as associated ship units. Such operations must be in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, except that the associated ship unit: May be operated from shore; may use Distress, Safety and Calling, Intership Safety, Liaison, U.S. Coast Guard, or Maritime Control VHF intership frequencies; and may have a transmitter power of 25 watts.

(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.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46961, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Narrow-band direct-printing (NB-DP) operating procedures. (1) When both terminals of the NB-DP circuit are satisfied that the circuit is in operable condition, the message preamble must be transmitted in the following format:

(i) One carriage return and one line feed,

(ii) Serial number or number of the message,

(iii) The name of the office of origin,

(iv) The number of words,

(v) The date of handing in of the message,

(vi) The time of handing in of the message, and

(vii) Any service instructions. (See The ITU “Manual for Use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services”.)

(2) Upon completion of transmission of the preamble, the address, text and signature must be transmitted as received from the sender.

(3) Upon completion of transmission of the signature the coast station must, following the signal “COL”, routinely repeat all service indications in the address and for figures or mixed groups of letters, figures or signs in the address, text or signature.

(4) In telegrams of more than 50 words, routine repetition must be given at the end of each page.

(5) Paragraphs (a) (1) through (4) of this section need not be followed when a direct connection is employed.

(6) In calling ship stations by narrow-band direct-printing, the coast station must use the ship station selective calling number (5 digits) and its assigned coast station identification number (4 digits). Calls to ship stations must employ the following format: Ship station selective call number, repeated twice; “DE”, sent once; and coast station identification number, repeated twice. When the ship station does not reply to a call sent three times at intervals of two minutes, the calling must cease and must not be renewed until after an interval of fifteen minutes.

(7) A public coast station authorized to use NB-DP frequencies between 4000 kHz and 27500 kHz may use class A1A emission on the “mark” frequency for station identification and for establishing communications with ship stations. The radio station license must reflect authority for this type of operation, and harmful interference must not be caused.

(b) Watch on ship calling frequencies. (1) Public coast stations using telegraphy must maintain a continuous watch during their working hours for calls from ship stations on frequencies in the same band(s) in which the coast station is licensed to operate. See subpart H of this part.

(2) Such station must employ receivers which are capable of being accurately set to any designated calling frequency in each band for which the receiver is intended to operate. The time required to set the receiver to a frequency must not exceed five seconds. The receiver must have a long term frequency stability of not more than 50 Hz and a minimum sensitivity of two microvolts across receiver input terminals of 50 ohms, or equivalent. The audio harmonic distortion must not exceed five percent at any rated output power.

(c) Radiotelegraph frequencies. Radiotelegraph frequencies available for assignment to public coast stations are contained in subpart H of this part.

Facsimile operations are a form of telegraphy for the transmission and receipt of fixed images between authorized coast and ship stations. Facsimile and data techniques may be implemented in accordance with the following paragraphs.

(a) Supplemental Eligibility Requirements. Public coast stations are eligible to use facsimile and data techniques with ship stations.

(b) Assignment and use of frequencies. (1) Frequencies in the 2000–27500 kHz bands in part 2 of this chapter as available for shared use by the maritime mobile service and other radio services are assignable to public coast stations for providing facsimile communications with ship stations. Additionally, frequencies in the 156–162 MHz and 216–220 MHz bands available for assignment to public coast stations for radiotelephone communications that are contained in subpart H of this part are also available for facsimile and data communications.

(2) Equipment used for facsimile and data operations is subject to the applicable provisions of subpart E of this part.

(3) The use of voice on frequencies authorized for facsimile operations in the bands 2000–27500 kHz listed in subpart H of this part is limited to setup and confirmation of receipt of facsimile transmissions.

[57 FR 43407, Sept. 21, 1992, as amended at 67 FR 48564, July 25, 2002]

Marine VHF public coast stations, including AMTS coast stations, may provide public correspondence service to stations on land in accordance with the following:

(a) The public coast station licensee must provide each associated land station with a letter, which shall be presented to authorized FCC representatives upon request, acknowledging that the land station may operate under the authority of the associated public coast station's license:

(b) Each public coast station serving stations on land must afford priority to marine-originating communications through any appropriate electrical or mechanical means.

(c) Land station identification shall consist of the associated public coast station's call sign, followed by a unique numeric or alphabetic unit identifier;

(d) Radio equipment used on land must be type accepted for use under part 22, part 80, or part 90 of this chapter. Such equipment must operate only on the public correspondence channels authorized for use by the associated public coast station;

(e) Transmitter power shall be in accordance with the limits set in §80.215 for ship stations and antenna height shall be limited to 6.1 meters (20 feet) above ground level;

(f) Land stations may only communicate with public coast stations and must remain within radio range of associated public coast stations; and,

(g) The land station must cease operation immediately upon written notice by the Commission to the associated public coast station that the land station is causing harmful interference to marine communications.

[62 FR 40304, July 28, 1997]

Radioprinter operations provide a relatively low cost system of record communications between authorized coast and ship stations in accordance with the following paragraphs.

(a) Supplementary eligibility requirement. A radioprinter authorization for a private coast station may be issued to the owner or operator of a ship of less than 1600 gross tons, a community of ships all of which are less than 1600 gross tons, or an association whose members operate ships of less than 1600 gross tons.

(b) Scope of communications. Only those communications which concern the business and operational needs of vessels are authorized.

(c) Assignment and use of frequencies. (1) Frequencies may be assigned to private coast stations for radioprinter use from the appropriate bands listed in subpart H of this part.

(2) Frequencies in the listed bands are shared with other radio services including the maritime mobile service. Each assigned frequency is available on a shared use basis only, not for the exclusive use of any one station or licensee.

(d) Coast station responsibilities. (1) Private coast stations must propose frequencies and provide the names of ships to be served with the application.

(2) Private coast station licensees must provide copies of their license to all ships with which they are authorized to conduct radioprinter operations.

Facsimile techniques may be implemented in accordance with the following paragraphs.

(a) Private coast stations in Alaska are eligible to use facsimile techniques with associated ship stations and other private coast stations in accordance with §80.505(b).

(b) The frequency 156.425 MHz is assigned by rule to private coast stations in Alaska for facsimile transmissions.

(c) Equipment used for facsimile operations is subject to the applicable provisions of subpart E of this part.

[62 FR 40305, July 28, 1997]

(a) Points of communication. Ship stations and marine utility stations on board ships are authorized to communicate with any station in the maritime mobile service.

(b) Service requirements for all ship stations. (1) Each ship station must receive and acknowledge all communications which are addressed to the ship or to any person on board.

(2) Every ship, on meeting with any direct danger to the navigation of other ships such as ice, a derelict vessel, a tropical storm, subfreezing air temperatures associated with gale force winds causing severe icing on superstructures, or winds of force 10 or above on the Beaufort scale for which no storm warning has been received, must transmit related information to ships in the vicinity and to the authorities on land unless such action has already been taken by another station. All such radio messages must be preceded by the safety signal.

(3) A ship station may accept communications for retransmission to any other station in the maritime mobile service. Whenever such messages or communications have been received and acknowledged by a ship station for this purpose, that station must retransmit the message as soon as possible.

(c) Service requirements for vessels. Each ship station provided for compliance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must provide a public correspondence service on voyages of more than 24 hours for any person who requests the service. Compulsory radiotelephone ships must provide this service for at least four hours daily. The hours must be prominently posted at the principal operating location of the station.

(d) Operating conditions. Effective August 1, 1994, VHF hand-held, portable transmitters used while connected to an external power source or a ship antenna must be equipped with an automatic timing device that deactivates the transmitter and reverts the transmitter to the receive mode after an uninterrupted transmission period of five minutes, plus or minus 10 percent. Additionally, such transmitters must have a device that indicates when the automatic timer has deactivated the transmitter. See also §80.203(c).

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 56 FR 57988, Nov. 15, 1991; 68 FR 46961, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Calling by narrow-band direct-printing. (1) NB-DP ship stations must call United States public coast stations on frequencies designated for NB-DP operation.

(2) Where it is known that the coast station maintains a watch on working frequencies for ship station NB-DP calls the ship station must make its initial NB-DP call on those frequencies.

(3) Calls to a coast station or other ship station must employ the following format: Coast station identification number, repeated twice; “DE”, sent once; and ship station selective call number, repeated twice. When the coast station does not reply to a call sent three times at intervals of two minutes, the calling must cease for fifteen minutes.

(b) NB-DP operating procedure. The operation of NB-DP equipment in the maritime mobile service must be in accordance with the operating procedures contained in the latest version of ITU-R Recommendation M.492–6, “Operational Procedures for the use of Direct-Printing Telegraph Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995, that does not prevent the use of existing equipment. ITU-R Recommendation M.492–6 with Annex is incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of this standard can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendation can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

(c) Required channels for radiotelegraphy. (1) Each ship station using telegraphy on frequencies within the band 405–525 kHz must be capable of:

(i) Transmit on at least two working frequencies and receive on all other frequencies necessary for their service using authorized emissions, and

(ii) When a radiotelegraph installation is compulsory, a fourth frequency within this band which is authorized specifically for direction finding must also be provided.

(2) Each ship station using telegraphy on frequencies within the band 90–160 kHz must be capable of transmitting and receiving Class A1A emission on the frequency 143 kHz, and on at least two additional working frequencies within this band except that portion between 140 kHz and 146 kHz.

(3) Each ship station using telegraphy and operating in the bands between 4000–27500 kHz must be capable of transmitting and receiving Class A1A or J2A emission on at least one frequency authorized for calling and at least two frequencies authorized for working in each of the bands for which facilities are provided to carry on its service.

(4) Each ship station using telegraphy in Region 2 on frequencies within the band 2065–2107 kHz must be capable of transmitting and receiving Class A1A or J2A emission on at least one frequency in this band authorized for working in addition to a frequency in this hand authorized for calling.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 49993, Dec. 4, 1989; 68 FR 46961, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64672, Nov. 8, 2004]

(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.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35244, Sept. 18, 1987; 68 FR 46961, Aug. 7, 2003]

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

[68 FR 46962, Aug. 7, 2003]

Until February 1, 2005, 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;

(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; or

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 16504, Mar. 29, 1993; 68 FR 46962, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Any person receiving official notice of violation of the terms of the Communications Act, any legislative act, executive order, treaty to which the United States is a party, terms of a station or operator license, or the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission must within 10 days from such receipt, send a written answer, in duplicate, to the office of the Commission originating the official notice. If an answer cannot be sent or an acknowledgment made within such 10-day period by reason of illness or other unavoidable circumstances, acknowledgment and answer must be made at the earliest practicable date with a satisfactory explanation of the delay. The answer to each notice must be complete in itself and must not be abbreviated by references to other communications or answers to other notices. The answer must contain a full explanation of the incident involved and must set forth the action taken to prevent a continuation or recurrence. If the notice relates to lack of attention to or improper operation of the station or to log or watch discrepancies, the answer must give the name and license number of the licensed operator on duty.

(b) When an official notice of violation, impending violation, or discrepancy, pertaining to any provision of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act or the radio provisions of the Safety Convention, is served upon the master or person responsible for a vessel and any instructions appearing on such document issued by a representative of the Commission are at variance with the content of paragraph (a) of this section, the instructions issued by the Commission's representative supersede those set forth in paragraph (a) of this section.

(a) Commercial radio operator licenses issued by the Commission are classified in accordance with the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union.

(b) The following licenses are issued by the Commission. International classification, if different from the license name, is given in parentheses. The licenses and their alphanumeric designator are listed in descending order.

(1) T–1. First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate.

(2) T–2. Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate.

(3) G. General Radiotelephone Operator License (radiotelephone operator's general certificate).

(4) T–3. Third Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate (radiotelegraph operator's special certificate).

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

(6) RP. Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (radiotelephone operator's restricted certificate).

(7) GOL. GMDSS Radio Operator License (General Operator's Certificate).

(8) ROL. Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator License (Restricted Operator's Certificate).

(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 and Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, General Radiotelephone Operator License).

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

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

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46962, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Except as provided in §80.179, operation of a coast station transmitter must be performed by a person who is on duty at the control point of the station. The operator is responsible for the proper operation of the station.

(b) An operational fixed station associated with a coast station may be operated by the operator of the associated coast station.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 10008, Mar. 9, 1989; 54 FR 40058, Sept. 29, 1989; 62 FR 40305, July 28, 1997; 67 FR 48564, July 25, 2002]

Except as provided in §§80.177 and 80.179, operation of transmitters of any ship station must be performed by a person holding a commercial radio operator license or permit of the class required below. The operator is responsible for the proper operation of the station.

[54 FR 10008, Mar. 9, 1989]

The operator on board ships required to have a holder of a commercial operator license or permit on board may, if authorized by the station licensee or master, permit an unlicensed person to modulate the transmitting apparatus for all modes of communication except Morse code radiotelegraphy.

[51 FR 34984, Oct. 1, 1986]

A radio officer means a person holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate issued by the Commission who is employed to operate a ship radio station in compliance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act. Such a person is also required to be licensed as a radio officer by the U.S. Coast Guard when employed to operate a ship radiotelegraph station.

[53 FR 46455, Nov. 17, 1988]

(a) Each telegraphy passenger ship equipped with a radiotelegraph station in accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must carry one radio officer holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate and a second radio officer holding either a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate. The holder of a second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate may not act as the chief radio officer.

(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 or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate 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 or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate 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.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 40058, Sept. 29, 1989; 68 FR 46962, Aug. 7, 2003]

Each ship subject to the Great Lakes Radio Agreement must have on board an officer or member of the crew who holds a marine radio operator permit or higher class license.

Each ship subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must have on board a radio operator who holds a restricted radiotelephone operator permit or higher class license.

[68 FR 46962, Aug. 7, 2003]

The operator of maritime radio equipment other than T–1, T–2, or G licensees, must not:

(a) Make equipment adjustments which may affect transmitter operation;

(b) Operate any transmitter which requires more than the use of simple external switches or manual frequency selection or transmitters whose frequency stability is not maintained by the transmitter itself.

(a) All adjustments of radio transmitters in any radiotelephone station or coincident with the installation, servicing, or maintenance of such equipment which may affect the proper operation of the station, must be performed by or under the immediate supervision and responsibility of a person holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate or a general radiotelephone operator license.

(b) Only persons holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator certificate must perform such functions at radiotelegraph stations transmitting Morse code.

(c) Only persons holding an operator certificate containing a ship radar endorsement must perform such functions on radar equipment.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 40058, Sept. 29, 1989]

All operator licenses required by this subpart must be readily available for inspection.

(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.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 53 FR 41434, Oct. 28, 1987; 62 FR 40305, July 28, 1997]

The following unattended transmitter operations are authorized:

(a) EPIRB operations when emergency conditions preclude attendance of the EPIRB transmitter by a person.

(b) Automatic use of a transmitter during narrow-band direct-printing (NB-DP) operations in accordance with §80.219.

(c) Automatic use of a transmitter during selective calling operations in accordance with §80.225.

(d) Automatic use of a transmitter when operating as part of the Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS), an automated multi-station system for which provisions are contained in this part, or an automated public coast station.

(e) Automatic use of a VHF transmitter to send brief digital communications relating to the condition or safety of vessels while moored when all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The equipment must be using DSC in accordance with ITU-R Recommendation M.493–10, “Digital Selective-calling System for Use in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes 1 and 2, 2000, and ITU-R Recommendation M.541–8, “Operational Procedures for the Use of Digital Selective-Calling Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes, 1997, as modified by this section. ITU-R Recommendations M.493–10 with Annexes 1 and 2 and M.541–8 with Annexes are incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of these standards can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendations can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

(2) Sensors must automatically activate the transmitter only under one or more of the following conditions:

(i) Fire, explosion;

(ii) Flooding;

(iii) Collision;

(iv) Grounding;

(v) Listing, in danger of capsizing;

(vi) Sinking;

(vii) Disabled and adrift; and

(viii) Undesignated condition related to ship safety.

(3) The “ROUTINE” DSC category must be used.

(4) Communications must be selectively addressed to an individual station.

(5) Transmitter output power must not exceed one watt.

(6) The call must employ a fixed format and must be in conformity with Recommendation 493 as follows:

Format specifier: Individual call—symbol 120 sent twice.

(7) Such transmissions are permitted only on channel 70 and the transmitter must be inhibited automatically whenever there is another call in progress on Channel 70.

(8) The call sequence for any one alarm must not be repeated until after an interval of at least five seconds. Further repetition is permitted only after intervals of at least fifteen minutes each. Repetitions following fifteen-minute waiting intervals must not exceed three.

[54 FR 10008, Mar. 9, 1989, as amended at 62 FR 40305, July 28, 1997; 68 FR 46962, Aug. 7, 2003]

This subpart gives the general technical requirements for the use of frequencies and equipment in the maritime services. These requirements include standards for equipment authorization, frequency tolerance, modulation, emission, power and bandwidth.

(a) Each transmitter authorized in a station in the maritime services after September 30, 1986, except as indicated in paragraphs (g), (h) and (i) of this section, must be certificated by the Commission for part 80 operations. The procedures for certification are contained in part 2 of this chapter. Transmitters of a model authorized before October 1, 1986 will be considered type accepted for use in ship or coast stations as appropriate.

(b) The external controls, of maritime station transmitters capable of operation in the 156–162 MHz band and manufactured in or imported into the United States after August 1, 1990, or sold or installed after August 1, 1991, must provide for selection of only maritime channels for which the maritime station is authorized. Such transmitters must not be capable of being programmed by station operators using external controls to transmit on channels other than those programmed by the manufacturer, service or maintenance personnel.

(1) Any manufacturer procedures and special devices for programming must only be made available to service companies employing licensed service and maintenance personnel that meet the requirements of §80.169(a) and must not be made available with information normally provided to consumers.

(2) The channels preprogrammed by manufacturers, service and maintenance personnel for selection by the external controls of a maritime station transmitter must be limited to those channels listed in this part and the duplex channels listed in Appendix 18 of the international Radio Regulations. The duplex channels listed in Appendix 18 of the international Radio Regulations must be used only in the specified duplex mode. Simplex operations on Appendix 18 duplex channels that are not in accordance with this part are prohibited.

(3) Programming of authorized channels must be performed only by a person holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate or a general radiotelephone operator's license using any of the following procedures:

(i) Internal adjustment of the transmitter;

(ii) Use of controls normally inaccessible to the station operator;

(iii) Use of external devices or equipment modules made available only to service and maintenance personnel through a service company; and

(iv) Copying of a channel selection program directly from another transmitter (cloning) using devices and procedures made available only to service and maintenance personnel through a service company.

(4) VHF maritime radio station transmitters capable of being programmed by station operators by means of external controls that are installed in a maritime station by August 1, 1991, are authorized for use indefinitely at the same maritime station.

(c) All VHF ship station transmitters that are either manufactured in or imported into the United States, on or after August 1, 1993, or are initially installed on or after August 1, 1994, must be equipped with an automatic timing device that deactivates the transmitter and reverts the transmitter to the receive mode after an uninterrupted transmission period of five minutes, plus or minus 10 per cent. Additionally, such transmitters must have a device that indicates when the automatic timer has deactivated the transmitter. VHF ship station transmitters initially installed before August 1, 1994, are authorized for use indefinitely at the same maritime station. VHF hand-held, portable transmitters are not required to comply with the requirements in paragraph (c) of this section except when used as described in §80.141.

(d) Except for radar equipment, applicants for certification of radio equipment designed to satisfy Part II of Title III of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention must also submit with their application a working unit of the type for which certification is desired. Manufacturers of radar equipment intended for installation on voluntarily equipped ships by persons without FCC operators license must include with their equipment authorization application a manual that provides step-by-step procedures for the installation, calibration, and operation of the radar stations.

(e) [Reserved]

(f) Transmitters certificated for single sideband suppressed carrier radiotelephone transmissions may be used for facsimile transmissions without filing for a certification modification provided the transmitters retain certification and comply with the applicable standards in this part.

(g) Manufacturers of ship earth station transmitters intended for use in the INMARSAT space segment must comply with the verification procedures given in part 2 of this chapter. Such equipment must be verified in accordance with the technical requirements provided by INMARSAT and must be type approved by INMARSAT for use in the INMARSAT space segment. The ship earth station input/output parameters, the data obtained when the equipment is integrated in system configuration and the pertinent method of test procedures that are used for type approval of the station model which are essential for the compatible operation of that station in the INMARSAT space segment must be disclosed by the manufacturer upon request of the FCC. Witnessing of the type approval tests and the disclosure of the ship earth station equipment design or any other information of a proprietary nature will be at the discretion of the ship earth station manufacturer.

(h) In addition to the certification requirements contained in part 2 of this chapter applicants for type acceptance of 406.025 MHz radiobeacons must also comply with the certification procedures contained in §80.1061 of this part.

(i) Certification is not required for U.S. Government furnished transmitters to fulfill a U.S. Government contract. However, such transmitters must comply with all technical requirements in this part.

(j) Certification is not required for transmitters authorized for developmental stations.

(k) Certification of individual radio transmitters requested by station applicants or licensees must also follow the certification procedure in paragraph (a) of this section. However, operation of such transmitters must be limited to the specific units individually identified on the station authorization.

(l) Ship station transmitters may be certificated for emissions not shown in §80.205 of this part. However, such emissions are not authorized for use in the United States or for communications with U.S. coast stations.

(m) Ship station MF, HF, and VHF transmitters may employ external or internal devices to send synthesized voice transmissions for distress and safety purposes on any distress and safety frequency authorized for radiotelephony listed in §80.369 provided the following requirements are met:

(1) The technical characteristics of the distress transmissions must comply with this part.

(2) A transmitter and any internal device capable of transmitting a synthesized voice message must be certificated as an integral unit.

(3) The synthesized voice distress transmission must begin with the words “this is a recording” and should be comprised of at least:

(i) the radiotelephone distress call as described in §80.315(b) and the ship's position as described in §80.316(c); or

(ii) the radiotelephone distress message as described in §80.316(b). If available, the ship's position should be reported as described in §80.316(c).

(4) Such transmission must be initiated manually by an off-switch that is protected from inadvertent activation and must cause the transmitter to switch to an appropriate distress and safety frequency. The radiotelephone distress call and message described in §§80.203(m)(3) (i) and (ii), respectively, may be repeated. However, the entire transmission including repeats must not exceed 45 seconds from beginning to end. Upon ending the transceiver must return to the receive mode and must not be capable of sending the synthesized distress call for at least thirty seconds. Placing the switch to the off position must stop the distress transmission and permit the transmitter to be used to send and receive standard voice communications.

(5) Use of the microphone must cause the synthesized voice distress transmission to cease and allow the immediate use of the transmitter for sending and receiving standard voice communications.

(6) No ship station shall include any device or provision capable of transmitting any tone or signal on a distress frequency for any purpose unless specific provisions exist in this Part authorizing such tone or signal.

(n) Applications for type acceptance of all marine radio transmitters operating in the 2–27.5 MHz band or the 156–162 MHz band received on or after June 17, 1999, must have a DSC capability in accordance with §80.225. This requirement does not apply to transmitters used with AMTS or hand-held portable transmitters.

(o) Existing equipment that does not comply with the rules in this subpart but was properly authorized as compliant with the rules in effect at the time of its authorization, and remains compliant with the rules in effect at the time of its authorization, may continue to be installed until February 1, 2003.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 53 FR 41434, Oct. 28, 1987; 53 FR 37308, Sept. 26, 1988; 54 FR 31839, Aug. 2, 1989; 56 FR 3787, Jan. 31, 1991; 56 FR 57496, Nov. 12, 1991; 56 FR 57988, Nov. 15, 1991; 57 FR 8727, Mar. 12, 1992; 62 FR 40305, July 28, 1997; 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998; 68 FR 46962, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64672, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) An emission designator shows the necessary bandwidth for each class of emission of a station except that in ship earth stations it shows the occupied or necessary bandwidth, whichever is greater. The following table gives the class of emission and corresponding emission designator and authorized bandwidth:

(b) For land stations the maximum authorized frequency deviation for F3E or G3E emission is as follows:

(1) 5 kHz in the 72.0–73.0 MHz, 75.4–76.0 MHz and 156–162 MHz bands;

(2) 15 kHz for stations which were authorized for operation before December 1, 1961, in the 73.0–74.6 MHz band.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 7418, Mar. 11, 1987; 53 FR 37308, Sept. 26, 1988; 56 FR 11516, Mar. 19, 1991; 57 FR 43407, Sept. 21, 1992; 58 FR 33344, June 17, 1993; 59 FR 7714, Feb. 16, 1994; 62 FR 40305, July 28, 1997; 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998; 68 FR 46962, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Authorization to use radiotelephone and radiotelegraph emissions by ship and coast stations includes the use of digital selective calling and selective calling techniques in accordance with §80.225.

(b) In radiotelegraphy communications employing a modulated carrier the carrier must be keyed and modulated by an audio frequency.

(c) Authorization to use single sideband emission is limited to emitting a carrier;

(1) For full carrier transmitters at a power level between 3 and 6 dB below peak envelope power;

(2) For suppressed carrier transmitters at a power level at least 40 dB below peak envelope power; and

(3) For reduced or variable level carrier:

(i) In the 1600–4000 kHz band:

(A) For coast station transmitters 18±2 dB below peak envelope power;

(B) For ship station transmitters installed before January 2, 1982, 16±2 dB below peak envelope power; and

(C) For ship station transmitters installed after January 1, 1982, 18±2 dB below peak envelope power.

(ii) In the 4000–27500 kHz band:

(A) For coast station transmitters 18±2 dB below peak envelope power;

(B) For ship station transmitters installed before January 2, 1978, 16±2 dB below peak envelope power; and

(C) For ship station transmitters installed after January 1, 1978, 18±2 dB below peak envelope power.

(d) The authorized classes of emission are as follows:

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986; 51 FR 34984, Oct. 1, 1986; as amended at 52 FR 7418, Mar. 11, 1987; 52 FR 35244, Sept. 18, 1987; 53 FR 8905, Mar. 18, 1988; 53 FR 37308, Sept. 26, 1988; 54 FR 40058, Sept. 29, 1989; 54 FR 49993, Dec. 4, 1989; 56 FR 11516, Mar. 19, 1991; 57 FR 43407, Sept. 21, 1992; 58 FR 33344, June 17, 1993; 62 FR 40305, July 28, 1997; 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998; 67 FR 48564, July 25, 2002; 68 FR 46963, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64672, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) The frequency tolerance requirements applicable to transmitters in the maritime services are shown in the following table. Tolerances are given as parts in 10⁶ unless shown in Hz.

(b) When pulse modulation is used in land and ship radar stations operating in the bands above 2.4 GHz the frequency at which maximum emission occurs must be within the authorized bandwidth and must not be closer than 1.5/T MHz to the upper and lower limits of the authorized bandwidth where “T” is the pulse duration in microseconds. In the band 14.00–14.05 GHz the center frequency must not vary more than 10 MHz from 14.025 GHz.

(c) For stations in the maritime radiodetermination service, other than ship radar stations, the authorized frequency tolerance will be specified on the license when it is not specified in this part.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 7418, Mar. 11, 1987; 53 FR 37308, Sept. 26, 1988; 54 FR 49994, Dec. 4, 1989; 57 FR 26778, June 16, 1992; 58 FR 33344, June 17, 1993; 62 FR 40306, July 28, 1997; 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998; 68 FR 46964, Aug. 7, 2003]

The emissions must be attenuated according to the following schedule.

(a) The mean power when using emissions H3E, J3E and R3E:

(1) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent up to and including 150 percent of the authorized bandwidth:

at least 25 dB for transmitters installed before February 1, 1992,

(2) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 150 percent up to and including 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 35 dB; and

(3) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 43 plus 10log₁₀ (mean power in watts) dB.

(b) For transmitters operating in the band 1626.5–1646.5 MHz. In any 4 kHz band the mean power of emissions shall be attenuated below the mean output power of the transmitter as follows:

(1) Where the center frequency is removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent up to and including 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 25 dB;

(2) Where the center frequency is removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent up to 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 35 dB; and

(3) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 43 plus 10log₁₀ (mean power in watts) dB.

(c) In any 4 kHz band the peak power of spurious emissions and noise at the input to the transmit antenna must be attenuated below the peak output power of the station as follows:

(1) 125 dB at 1525.0 MHz, increasing linearly to 90 dB at 1612.5 MHz;

(2) 90 dB at 1612.5 MHz increasing linearly to 60 dB at 1624.0 MHz;

(3) 90 dB from 1624.0 MHz to 1650.0 MHz, except at frequencies near the transmitted carrier where the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section, apply;

(4) 60 dB at 1650.0 MHz decreasing linearly to 90 dB at 1662.5 MHz;

(5) 90 dB at 1662.5 MHz decreasing linearly to 125 dB at 1752.5 MHz; and

(6) 125 dB outside above range, except for harmonics which must comply with (b)(3) of this section.

(d) The mean power of emissions from radiotelephone survival craft transmitters, 9 GHz search and rescue transponders, and radiotelegraph survival craft transmitters must be attenuated below the mean output power of the transmitter as follows:

(1) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent, up to and including 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: at least 25 dB;

(2) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: at least 30 dB.

(e) The mean power of EPIRBs operating on 121.500 MHz, 243.000 MHz and 406.025 MHz must be as follows:

(1) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent, up to and including 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 25 dB;

(2) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent: at least 30 dB.

(f) The mean power when using emissions other than those in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this section:

(1) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent up to and including 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 25 dB;

(2) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent up to and including 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 35 dB; and

(3) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 250 percent of the authorized bandwidth: At least 43 plus 10log₁₀ (mean power in watts) dB.

(g) Developmental stations must conform to the standards for regular authorized stations.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 40058, Sept. 29, 1989; 54 FR 49994, Dec. 4, 1989; 56 FR 11516, Mar. 19, 1991; 62 FR 40306, July 28, 1997]

(a) Transmitters must meet the following modulation requirements:

(1) When double sideband emission is used the peak modulation must be maintained between 75 and 100 percent;

(2) When phase or frequency modulation is used in the 156–162 MHz band the peak modulation must be maintained between 75 and 100 percent. A frequency deviation of ±5 kHz is defined as 100 percent peak modulation; and

(3) In single sideband operation the upper sideband must be transmitted. Single sideband transmitters must automatically limit the peak envelope power to their authorized operating power and meet the requirements in §80.207(c).

(b) Radiotelephone transmitters using A3E, F3E and G3E emission must have a modulation limiter to prevent any modulation over 100 percent. This requirement does not apply to survival craft transmitters, to transmitters that do not require a license or to transmitters whose output power does not exceed 3 watts.

(c) Coast station transmitters operated in the 72.0–73.0 MHz and 75.4–76.0 MHz bands must be equipped with an audio low-pass filter. The filter must be installed between the modulation limiter and the modulated radio frequency stage. At frequencies between 3 kHz and 15 kHz it must have an attenuation greater than at 1 kHz by at least 40log₁₀ (f/3) dB where “f” is the frequency in kilohertz. At frequencies above 15 kHz the attenuation must be at least 28 dB greater than at 1 kHz.

(d) Ship and coast station transmitters operating in the 156–162 MHz and 216–220 bands must be capable of proper operation with a frequency deviation that does not exceed ±5 kHz when using any emission authorized by §80.207.

(e) Coast station transmitters operated in the 156–162 MHz band must be equipped with an audio low-pass filter. The filter must be installed between the modulation limiter and the modulated radio frequency stage. At frequencies between 3 kHz and 20 kHz it must have an attenuation greater than at 1 kHz by at least 60log₁₀(f/3) dB where “f” is the audio frequency in kilohertz. At frequencies above 20 kHz the attenuation must be at least 50 dB greater than at 1 kHz.

(f) Radiodetermination ship stations operating on 154.585 MHz, 159.480 MHz, 160.725 MHz, 160.785 MHz, 454.000 MHz and 459.000 MHz must employ a duty cycle with a maximum transmission period of 60 seconds followed by a minimum quiescent period four times the duration of the transmission period.

(g) Radar stations operating in the bands above 2.4 GHz may use any type of modulation consistent with the bandwidth requirements in §80.209(b).

(h) Radar transponder coast stations using the 2900–3100 MHz or 9300–9500 MHz band must operate in a variable frequency mode and respond on their operating frequencies with a maximum error equivalent to 100 meters. Additionally, their response must be encoded with a Morse character starting with a dash. The duration of a Morse dot is defined as equal to the width of a space and 1/3 of the width of a Morse dash. The duration of the response code must not exceed 50 microseconds. The sensitivity of the stations must be adjustable so that received signals below −10 dBm at the antenna will not activate the transponder. Antenna polarization must be horizontal when operating in the 9300–9500 MHz band and either horizontal or both horizontal and vertical when operating in the 2900–3100 MHz band. Racons using frequency agile transmitting techniques must include circuitry designed to reduce interference caused by triggering from radar antenna sidelobes.

(i) Variable frequency ship station transponders operating in the 2900–3100 MHz or 9300–9500 MHz band that are not used for search and rescue purposes must meet the following requirements:

(1) Non-selectable transponders must have the following characteristics:

(i) They must respond on all their frequencies with a maximum range error equivalent to 100 meters;

(ii) They must use a Morse encoding of “PS” (dot-dash-dash-dot, dot-dot-dot), meaning “You should not come any closer”. The width of a Morse dot is defined as equal to the width of a space and 1/3 of the width of a Morse dash;

(iii) When they employ swept frequency techniques they must not transmit on any frequency for more than 10 seconds in any 120 second period;

(iv) Any range offset of their response must occur during their pause on the fixed frequency;

(v) The duration of the response code must not exceed 50 microseconds;

(vi) The sensitivity of the stations must be adjustable so that received signals below −10 dBm at the antenna input will not activate the transponder;

(vii) Antenna polarization must be horizontal when operating in the 9300–9500 MHz band and either horizontal or both horizontal and vertical when operating in the 2900–3100 MHz band.

(viii) Transponders using frequency agile techniques must include circuitry designed to reduce interference caused by triggering from radar antenna sidelobes.

(2) Selectable transponders must be authorized under part 5 of the Commission's rules until standards for their use are developed.

(j) The transmitted signals of search and rescue transponders must cause to appear on a radar display a series of at least 20 equally spaced dots.

(k) The modulation requirements for EPIRB's are contained in subpart V.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 7418, Mar. 11, 1987; 52 FR 28825, Aug. 4, 1987; 54 FR 40058, Sept. 29, 1989; 57 FR 43407, Sept. 21, 1992; 65 FR 77824, Dec. 13, 2000; 68 FR 46965, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64673, Nov. 8, 2004]

(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

(ii) Radiotelephony:

2000–4000 kHz—day—800W

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

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

405–525 kHz—265W

(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

(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—2kW³

(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—400W⁴

(iii) All ships—Open waters; 4000–27500 kHz—1.5kW⁵ .

(3) Digital selective calling:

All ships 415–526.5 kHz—400 W

(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, 13}

(2) Ship stations 216–220 MHz—25W⁷

(3) On board stations 456–468 MHz—4W⁸

(4) Ship earth stations 1626.5–1646.5 MHz⁹

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

(6) EPIRB—121.500 and 243.00 MHz¹⁰

(7) EPIRB—156.750 and 156.800 MHz¹⁰

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

(1) Maritime support (receiver test):

R3E and J3C emission—150W

(2) Operational fixed: 72–76 MHz and above 162 MHz¹¹

(3) Alaska—Private fixed:¹²

10–200 kHz—650W

(4) Alaska—Public fixed:

405–525 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) Except as indicated in (g)(4) of this section, all ship station transmitters installed after January 9, 2006, must be capable of tuning to 156.775 MHz and 156.825 MHz and must automatically reduce the carrier power to one watt or less, with no manual override capability, when the transmitter is tuned to either 156.775 MHz or 156.825 MHz;

(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.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 7419, Mar. 11, 1987; 52 FR 35244, Sept. 18, 1987; 54 FR 40058, Sept. 29, 1989; 54 FR 49994, Dec. 4, 1989; 56 FR 3783, Jan. 31, 1991; 59 FR 35269, July 11, 1994; 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998; 65 FR 77824, Dec. 13, 2000; 67 FR 48564, July 25, 2002; 68 FR 46965, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64673, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) A voluntarily equipped ship station receiver must not cause harmful interference to any receiver required by statute or treaty.

(b) The electromagnetic field from receivers required by statute or treaty must not exceed the following value at a distance over sea water of one nautical mile from the receiver:

or

Deliver not more than the following amounts of power, to an artificial antenna having electrical characteristics equivalent to those of the average receiving antenna(s) use on shipboard:

NB-DP and data transmission equipment installed in ship and coast stations before October 1, 1990, that operates on the frequencies in the 4,000–27,500 kHz bands must be capable of operation in accordance with the technical requirements of either ITU-R Recommendation M.476–5, “Direct-Printing Telegraph Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995, or ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3, “Direct-Printing Telegraph Equipment Employing Automatic Identification in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995, and may be used indefinitely. Equipment installed on or after October 1, 1990, must be capable of operation in accordance with the technical requirements of ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3, “Direct-Printing Telegraph Equipment Employing Automatic Identification in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995. NB-DP and data transmission equipment are additionally permitted to utilize any modulation, so long as emissions are within the limits set forth in §80.211(f) and the equipment is also capable of operation in accordance with ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3, “Direct-Printing Telegraph Equipment Employing Automatic Identification in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995. ITU-R Recommendations M. 476–5 and M.625–3 with Annexes are incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of these standards can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendations can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

[68 FR 46966, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Each device for automatically generating the radiotelephone alarm signal must be capable of being disabled to permit the immediate transmission of a distress call and message.

(b) The device must comply with the following requirements:

(1) The frequency tolerance of each tone must be ±1.5 percent;

(2) The duration tolerance of each tone must be ±50 milliseconds;

(3) The interval between successive tones must not exceed 50 milliseconds; and

(4) The amplitude ratio of the tones must be flat within 1.6 dB.

(c) Devices installed on or after January 1, 1983, must comply with the following requirements:

(1) The frequency tolerance of each tone must be ±1.5 percent;

(2) The duration tolerance of each tone must be ±10 milliseconds;

(3) The interval between successive tones must not exceed 4 milliseconds;

(4) The amplitude ratio of the tones must be flat within 1.6 dB;

(5) The output of the device must be sufficient to modulate the associated transmitter for H2B emission to at least 70 percent, and for J2B emission to within 3 dB of the rated peak envelope power;

(6) Light from the device must not interfere with the safe navigation of the ship;

(7) After activation the device must automatically generate the radiotelephone alarm signal for not less than 30 seconds and not more than 60 seconds unless manually interrupted;

(8) After generating the radiotelephone alarm signal or after manual interruption the device must be immediately ready to repeat the signal;

(9) The transmitter must be automatically switched from the stand-by condition to the transmit condition at the start and return to the stand-by condition at the conclusion of the radiotelephone alarm signal.

(d) Any device used by a station to automatically generate the radiotelephone alarm signal must be certificated by the Commission.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 40059, Sept. 29, 1989; 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998]

(a) Survival craft stations capable of transmitting on:

(1) 2182 kHz must be able to operate with A2B and A3E or H2B and 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.

[68 FR 46966, Aug. 7, 2003]

This section specifies the requirements for voluntary digital selective calling (DSC) equipment and selective calling equipment installed in ship and coast stations, and incorporates by reference ITU-R Recommendation M.476–5, “Direct-Printing Telegraph Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995; ITU-R Recommendation M.493–10, “Digital Selective-calling System for Use in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes 1 and 2, 2000; ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3, “Direct-Printing Telegraph Equipment Employing Automatic Identification in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995; and RTCM Paper 56–95/SC101–STD, “RTCM Recommended Minimum Standards for Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Equipment Providing Minimum Distress and Safety Capability,” Version 1.0, dated August 10, 1995. ITU-R Recommendations M.476–5 with Annex, M.493–10 with Annexes 1 and 2, and M.625–3 with Annex, and RTCM Paper 56–95/SC101–STD are incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of these standards can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendations can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland. The RTCM standards can be purchased from the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM), Suite 600, 1800 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22314–2480.

(a) DSC equipment voluntarily installed in coast or ship stations must meet either the requirements of ITU-R Recommendation M.493–10, “Digital Selective-calling System for Use in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes 1 and 2, 2000 (including only equipment classes A, B, D, and E) or RTCM Paper 56–95/SC101–STD. DSC equipment must not be used with the sensors referred to in §80.179(e)(2). DSC equipment used on compulsorily fitted ships must meet the requirements contained in subpart W of this part for GMDSS.

(b) Manufacturers of Class C DSC equipment to be used on United States vessels must affix a clearly discernible permanent plate or label visible from the operating controls containing the following:

Warning. This equipment is designed to generate a digital maritime distress and safety signal to facilitate search and rescue. To be effective as a safety device, this equipment must be used only within communication range of a shore-based VHF marine channel 70 distress and safety watch system. The range of the signal may vary but under normal conditions should be approximately 20 nautical miles.

(c) Selective calling equipment, other than that designed in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, is authorized as follows:

(1) Equipment used in conjunction with the Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS) in the band 216–220 MHz,

(2) Equipment used to perform a selective calling function during narrow-band direct-printing (NB-DP) operations in accordance with ITU-R Recommendation M.476–5, “Direct-Printing Telegraph Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995, or ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3, “Direct-Printing Telegraph Equipment Employing Automatic Identification in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995, ITU-R Recommendation M.493–10, “Digital Selective-calling System for Use in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes 1 and 2, 2000, and

(3) Equipment functioning under the provisions of §80.207(a) includes the brief use of radiotelegraphy, including keying only the modulating audio frequency, tone signals, and other signalling devices to establish or maintain communications provided that:

(i) These signalling techniques are not used on frequencies designated for general purpose digital selective calling (DSC) and distress and safety DSC calling as listed in §80.359;

(ii) The authorized radiotelephone emission bandwidth is not exceeded;

(iii) Documentation of selective calling protocols must be available to the general public; and,

(iv) Harmful interference is not caused to stations operating in accordance with the International Radio Regulations.

[54 FR 10009, Mar. 9, 1989, as amended at 62 FR 40306, July 28, 1997; 68 FR 46966, Aug. 7, 2003]

As part of the information provided with transmitters for ship earth stations, manufacturers of each such unit must include installation and operating instructions to help prevent human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation in excess of the RF exposure guidelines specified in §1.1307(b) of the Commission's Rules.

[53 FR 28225, July 27, 1988]

Brief signalling for the purposes of measuring the quality of a radio channel and thereafter establishing communication shall be permitted within the 2 MHz–30 MHz band. Public coast stations providing high seas service are authorized by rule to use such signalling under the following conditions:

(a) The transmitter power shall not exceed 100 W ERP;

(b) Transmissions must sweep linearly in frequency at a rate of at least 60 kHz per second, occupying any 3 kHz bandwidth for less than 50 milliseconds;

(c) The transmitter shall scan the band no more than four times per hour;

(d) Transmissions within 6 kHz of the following protected frequencies and frequency bands must not exceed 10 µW peak ERP:

(1) Protected frequencies (kHz)

(2) Protected bands (kHz)

4125.0–4128.0

(e) The instantaneous signal, which refers to the peak power that would be measured with the frequency sweep stopped, along with spurious emissions generated from the sweeping signal, must be attenuated below the peak carrier power (in watts) as follows:

(1) On any frequency more than 5 Hz from the instantaneous carrier frequency, at least 3 dB;

(2) On any frequency more than 250 Hz from the instantaneous carrier frequency, at least 40 dB; and

(3) On any frequency more than 7.5 kHz from the instantaneous carrier frequency, at least 43 + 10log₁₀ (peak power in watts) db.

[62 FR 40307, July 28, 1997]

(a) This subpart gives the general technical requirements for certification of equipment used on compulsory ships. Such equipment includes automatic-alarm-signal keying devices, survival craft radio equipment, watch receivers, and radar.

(b) The equipment described in this subpart must be certificated.

(c) The term transmitter means the transmitter unit and all auxiliary equipment necessary to make this unit operate as a main or emergency transmitter in a ship station at sea. Each separate motor-generator, rectifier, or other unit required to convert the ship primary power to the phase, frequency, or voltage necessary to energize the transmitter unit is considered a component of the transmitter.

(d) Average ship station antenna means an actual antenna installed on board ship having a capacitance of 750 picofarads and an effective resistance of 4 ohms at a frequency of 500 kHz, or an artificial antenna having the same electrical characteristics.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 36606, July 7, 1998; 68 FR 46966, Aug. 7, 2003]

All radiotelephone installations in radiotelegraph equipped vessels must meet the following conditions.

(a) The radiotelephone transmitter must be capable of transmission of A3E or H3E emission on 2182 kHz and must be capable of transmitting clearly perceptible signals from ship to ship during daytime, under normal conditions over a range of 150 nautical miles when used with an antenna system in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section. The transmitter must:

(1) Have a duty cycle which allows for transmission of the radiotelephone alarm signal described in §80.221.

(2) Provide 25 watts carrier power for A3E emission or 60 watts peak power on H3E emission into an artificial antenna consisting of 10 ohms resistance and 200 picofarads capacitance or 50 ohms nominal impedance to demonstrate compliance with the 150 nautical mile range requirement.

(3) Have a visual indication whenever the transmitter is supplying power to the antenna.

(4) Have a two-tone alarm signal generator that meets §80.221.

(5) This transmitter may be contained in the same enclosure as the receiver required by paragraph (b) of this section. These transmitters may have the capability to transmit J2D or J3E transmissions.

(b)(1) The radiotelephone receiver must receive A3E and H3E emissions when connected to the antenna system specified in paragraph (c) this section and must be preset to 2182 kHz. The receiver must additionally:

(i) Provide an audio output of 50 milliwatts to a loudspeaker when the RF input is 50 microvolts. The 50 microvolt input signal must be modulated 30 percent at 400 Hertz and provide at least a 6 dB signal-to-noise ratio when measured in the rated audio bandwidth.

(ii) Be equipped with one or more loudspeakers capable of being used to maintain a watch on 2182 kHz at the principal operating position or in the room from which the vessel is normally steered.

(2) The receiver required by §80.805 may be used instead of this receiver. If the watch is stood at the place from which the ship is normally steered, a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver must be used for this purpose.

(3) This receiver may be contained in the same enclosure as the transmitter required by paragraph (a) of this section. These receivers may have the capability to receive J2D or J3E transmissions.

(c) The antenna system must be as nondirectional and efficient as is practicable for the transmission and reception of radio ground waves over seawater. The installation and construction of the required antenna must ensure, insofar as is practicable, proper operation in time of emergency. If the required antenna is suspended between masts or other supports subject to whipping, a safety link must be installed which under heavy stress will reduce breakage of the antenna, the halyards, or any other supporting elements.

(d) The radiotelephone installation must be provided with a device for permitting changeover from transmission to reception and vice versa without manual switching.

(e) An artificial antenna must be provided to permit weekly checks, without causing interference, of the automatic device for generating the radiotelephone alarm signal on frequencies other than the radiotelephone distress frequency.

(f) The radiotelephone installation must be located in the radiotelegraph operating room or in the room from which the ship is normally steered.

(g) Demonstration of the radiotelephone installation may be required by Commission representatives to show compliance with applicable regulations.

(h) The radiotelephone installation must be protected from excessive currents and voltages.

(i) The radiotelephone installation must be maintained in an efficient condition.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986. Redesignated and amended at 68 FR 46973, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver is comprised of a receiver, a loudspeaker and a radiotelephone auto alarm device.

(b) The radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver must meet the following requirements:

(1) The receiver must be capable of being switched to 2182 kHz and of receiving signals of at least A2A and A2B emissions;

(2) The receiver sensitivity must provide a SINAD of 20 dB at the audio output when a 30 microvolt signal with A2A or A2B emission modulated 30% at 400 Hz is applied to the receiver RF terminals;

(3) The audio output of the receiver must be at least 50 milliwatts at the rated load impedance;

(4) The receiver must be provided with an auto alarm device which mutes the receiver (silences the loudspeaker) unless the radiotelephone alarm signal or the signal preceeding a vital navigational warning is received. When the auto alarm is activated the receiver audio output level must be louder than the output level of the received speech signal. Additionally, the receiver must meet the following requirements:

(i) When the receiver is muted its audio output power must be less than 1 milliwatt;

(ii) If tone filters are used to process the 1300 Hz and 2200 Hz tones the tolerance of their center frequency must be ±1.5 percent of the alerting frequency. The response must be flat within 6 dB to ±3% of the center frequency of the filters; and

(iii) The receiver must not be unmuted by atmospherics or by strong signals other than the radiotelephone alarm and the vital navigational warning signal.

(5) The receiver must be unmuted within 4 to 6 seconds when a double sideband alarm signal modulated at 70% is applied at its input terminals at a level which produces a SINAD of 10 dB under the following conditions:

(i) For radiotelephone alarm the signal must be modulated sequentially by a 1300 ±20 Hz tone and a 2200 ±35 Hz tone. The duration of each tone must be 250 ±50 milliseconds and the period between each tone must not exceed 50 milliseconds; and

(ii) For navigational warning the signal must be modulated by a 2200 ±35 Hz tone and the modulated carrier must be turned “on” for 250 ±50 milliseconds and then “off” for 250 ±50 milliseconds.

(6) The receiver must not be unmuted when a double sideband signal of 70 dB above the receiver measured sensitivity, modulated at 70% by a 2200 ±35 Hz tone with the following durations is applied at its input terminals:

(i) “On” periods of less than 175 milliseconds or more than 325 milliseconds followed by “off” periods of any duration; and

(ii) “Off” periods of less than 175 milliseconds or more then 425 milliseconds followed by “on” periods of any duration.

(7) The controls listed below must be provided on the exterior of the equipment:

(i) On/off switch with a visual indication that the device is on;

(ii) Volume control to adjust the audio output;

(iii) Control for dimming any light on the equipment;

(iv) Control for switching the auto alarm in and out of operation; and

(v) Control to manually reset the auto alarm to muted condition.

(8) The receiver must operate within specifications throughout the temperature range 0–50 degrees Celsius at relative humidities as high as 95%.

(9) The receiver must be capable of operating when subjected to vibrations having a frequency between 20 and 30 Hertz and an amplitude of 0.76 mm (0.03 inch) in a direction at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees with the base of the auto alarm.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 44952, Aug. 25, 1993; 68 FR 46966, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Portable survival craft radiotelephone transceivers must comply with the following:

(1) The transceivers must receive and transmit either on 457.525 MHz or on 156.800 MHz;

(2) The receiver must comply with the requirements in part 15, subpart C of this chapter and must have a sensitivity of not more than 2 microvolts. The sensitivity requirement must be met using the receiver sensitivity measurement procedure specified in the Radio Technical Commission for Marine Services (RTCM) Special Committee No. 66 Report MMS-R2;

(3) The effective radiated power of the transmitter must be at least 0.1 watt;

(4) The transceivers must be battery powered and operate for at least four hours with a transmit to receive ratio of 1:9 with no significant adverse effect upon the performance of the device;

(5) The transceivers must have a permanently attached waterproof label with the statement “Complies with the FCC requirements for survival craft two-way radiotelephone equipment”; and

(6) The antenna must be permanently attached to the device or its removal must require the use of a special tool.

(b) Portable radiotelephone transceivers that are already certificated may be used to satisfy the survival craft radiotelephone requirement until October 1, 1993, provided the device meets the technical requirements in paragraphs (a) (1) through (3) of this section.

(c) Survival craft radiotelephone equipment installed after October 1, 1988, must be certificated to meet the requirements of this section.

(d) After October 1, 1993, all portable radiotelephone transceivers that are used to satisfy the survival craft radiotelephone requirement must have been certificated to meet the requirements of this section.

(e) Portable radiotelephone transceivers which are type accepted to meet the requirements of this section must be identified by an appropriate note in the Commission's database.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998]

(a) Radar installations on board ships that are required by the Safety Convention or the U.S. Coast Guard to be equipped with radar must comply with either the document referenced in paragraph (a)(1) of this section or the applicable document referenced in paragraphs (a)(2) through (4) of this section. These documents contain specifications, standards and general requirements applicable to shipboard radar equipment and shipboard radar installations. For purposes of this part the specifications, standards and general requirements stated in these documents are mandatory irrespective of discretionary language. The standards listed in paragraphs (a)(1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section are incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of these standards can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The standards referenced in paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and (3) of this section can be purchased from the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM), Suite 600, 1800 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22314–2480; telephone 703–684–4481; fax 703–684–4229; email [email protected]. The standard referenced in section (a)(4) can be purchased from International Maritime Organization (IMO), Publications, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7 SR, United Kingdom; telephone 011 44 71 735 7611.

(1) Radar installed on or after July 1, 1988, on ships of 500 gross tons and upwards that were constructed on or after September 1, 1984, must comply with the provisions of RTCM Paper 133–87–SC 103–33 including Appendix A. Title: “RTCM Recommended Performance Specification for a General Purpose Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Ships of 500 Gross Tons and Upwards for New Radar Installations.” Title of Appendix A: “General Purpose Shipborne Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Ships Design and Testing Specifications.” Document originally approved by RTCM August 15, 1985 and revised May 15, 1987.

(2) Radar installed on ships of 1,600 gross tons and upwards on or before April 27, 1981, must comply with the provisions of Volume II of RTCM Special Committee No. 65 Final Report; Part II. Title: “Performance Specification for a General Purpose Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Ships of 1,600 Tons Gross Tonnage and Upwards for Ships Already Fitted.” Document approved by RTCM July 18, 1978; effective as FCC requirement on April 27, 1981.

(3) Radar installed on ships of 1,600 gross tons and upwards after April 27, 1981 and before July 1, 1988, must comply with the provisions of Volume II of RTCM Special Committee No. 65 Final Report with Change 1 entered; Part I including Appendix A. Title: “Performance Specification for a General Purpose Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Ships of 1,600 Tons Gross Tonnage and Upwards for New Radar Installations.” Title of Appendix A: “General Purpose Shipborne Navigational Radar Set for Oceangoing Ships Design and Testing Specifications.” Document approved by RTCM July 18, 1978; effective as FCC requirement on April 27, 1981.

(4) Ships between 500 and 1,600 gross tons constructed on or after September 1, 1984, with radar installed before July 1, 1988, must comply with Regulation 12, Chapter V of the Safety Convention and with the provisions of Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) [now International Maritime Organization] Resolution A.477 (XII). Title: “Performance Standards for Radar Equipment,” with Annex. Adopted by IMCO November 19, 1981.

(b) For ships of 10,000 gross tons or more and any other ship that is required to be equipped with two radar systems, each of these systems must be capable of operating independently and must comply with the specifications, standards and general requirements established by paragraph (a) of this section. One of the systems must provide a display with an effective diameter of not less than 340 millimeters (13.4 inches), (16 inch cathode ray tube). The other system must provide a display with an effective diameter of not less than 250 millimeters (9.8 inches), (12 inch cathode ray tube).

(c) Recommendations for tools, test equipment, spares and technical manuals are contained in Part IV of Volume III of the RTCM SC–65 Final Report approved by RTCM July 18, 1978.

[68 FR 46967, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Prior to submitting a certification application for an AIS device, the following information must be submitted in duplicate to the Commandant (G–MSE), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street, SW., Washington DC 20593–0001:

(1) The name of the manufacturer or grantee and the model number of the AIS device;

(2) Copies of the test report and test data obtained from the test facility showing that the device complies with the environmental and operational requirements identified in §80.1101.

(b) After reviewing the information described in paragraph (a) of this section, the U.S. Coast Guard will issue a letter stating whether the AIS device satisfies all of the requirements specified in §80.1101.

(c) A certification application for an AIS device submitted to the Commission must contain a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard letter stating that the device satisfies all of the requirements specified in §80.1101, a copy of the technical test data, and the instruction manual(s).

[69 FR 64673, Nov. 8, 2004]

Each compulsory ship of 1,600 gross tons or over whose keel was laid:

(a) Prior to May 25, 1980, must be equipped with radio direction finding apparatus in operating condition and approved by the Commission during an inspection.

(b) On or after May 25, 1980, must be equipped with radio direction finding apparatus having a homing capability in accordance with §80.824.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 29960, June 1, 1998. Redesignated at 68 FR 46973, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The radio direction finding apparatus must:

(1) Be capable of receiving signals A1A, A2B and R2B emission, on each frequency within the band 285–515 kHz assigned by the Radio Regulations for distress and direction finding and for maritime radio beacons, and be calibrated to take bearings on such signals from which the true bearing and direction may be determined; and

(2) Possess a sensitivity, sufficient to permit the taking of bearings on a signal having a field strength of 50 microvolts per meter.

(b) The calibration of the direction finder must be verified by check bearings or by a further calibration whenever any changes are made in the physical or electrical characteristics or the position of any antennas, and whenever any changes are made in the position of any deck structures which might affect the accuracy of the direction finder. In addition, the calibration must be verified by check bearings at yearly intervals. A record of the calibrations, and of the check bearings made of their accuracy and the accuracy of the check bearings must be kept on board the ship for a period of not less than 1 year.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 29660, June 1, 1998. Redesignated at 68 FR 46973, Aug. 7, 2003]

An auxiliary receiving antenna must be provided when necessary to avoid unauthorized interruption or reduced efficiency of the required watch because the normal receiving antenna is not available because a radio direction finder on board the vessel is operated.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986. Redesignated at 68 FR 46973, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The direction finder must be located to minimize interference from noise.

(b) The direction finder antenna system must be erected so that the determination of bearings will not be hindered by the proximity of other antennas, cranes, wire halyards, or large metal objects.

When the required calibration can not be made before departure from a harbor or port for a voyage in the open sea, the direction finder may be tentatively approved on condition that the master certifies in writing that the direction finder will be calibrated by a competent technician.

[63 FR 29660, June 1, 1998. Redesignated at 68 FR 46973, Aug. 7, 2003]

The requirement for calibration by check bearings is met if:

(a) The required verification by check bearings are made not more than 90 days prior to the date of the annual detailed inspection of the radiotelegraph station;

(b) The verification consists of a comparison of simultaneous visual and radio direction finder bearings. At least one comparison bearing must be taken in each quadrant, within plus or minus 20 degrees from the following bearings relative to the ship's heading: 45 degrees; 135 degrees; 225 degrees; 315 degrees;

(c) The verification shows the visual bearing relative to the ship's heading and the difference between the visual and radio direction finder bearing, and the date each check bearing is taken.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986. Redesignated at 68 FR 46973, Aug. 7, 2003]

(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.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 69 FR 64673, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) When changes occur in the operation of a public coast station which include discontinuance, relocation, reduction or suspension of a watch required to be maintained on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz, notification must be made by the licensee to the nearest district office of the U.S. Coast Guard as soon as practicable. The notification must include the estimated or known resumption time of the watch.

(b) [Reserved]

[68 FR 46967, Aug. 7, 2003, as amended at 69 FR 64673, Nov. 8, 2004]

(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.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35245, Sept. 18, 1987; 63 FR 40063, July 27, 1998]

Each ship station operating on telephony on frequencies in the band 1605–3500 kHz must maintain a watch on the frequency 2182 kHz. This watch must be maintained at least twice each hour for 3 minutes commencing at x h.00 and x h.30 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) using either a loudspeaker or headphone. Except for distress, urgency or safety messages, ship stations must not transmit during the silence periods on 2182 kHz.

[69 FR 64673, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) Each ship of the United States which is equipped with a radiotelegraph station for compliance with part II of title III of the Communications Act or chapter IV of the Safety Convention must:

(1) Keep a continuous and efficient watch on the radiotelephone distress frequency 2182 kHz from the principal radio operating position or the room from which the vessel is normally steered while being navigated in the open sea outside a harbor or port. A radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver having a loudspeaker and a radiotelephone auto alarm facility must be used to keep the continuous watch on 2182 kHz if such watch is kept from the room from which the vessel is normally steered. After a determination by the master that conditions are such that maintenance of the listening watch would interfere with the safe navigation of the ship, the watch may be maintained by the use of the radiotelephone auto alarm facility alone.

(2) Until February 1, 2005, keep a continuous and efficient watch on the VHF distress frequency 156.800 MHz from the room from which the vessel is normally steered while in the open sea outside a harbor or port. The watch must be maintained by a designated member of the crew who may perform other duties, relating to the operation or navigation of the vessel, provided such other duties do not interfere with the effectiveness of the watch. Use of a properly adjusted squelch or brief interruptions due to other nearby VHF transmissions are not considered to adversely affect the continuity or efficiency of the required watch on the VHF distress frequency. This watch need not be maintained by vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act and participating in a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system as required or recommended by the U.S. Coast Guard, when an efficient listening watch is maintained on both the bridge-to-bridge frequency and a separate assigned VTS frequency.

(b) Each cargo ship of the United States which is equipped with a radiotelephone station for compliance with part II of title III of the Communications Act or chapter IV of the Safety Convention must while being navigated outside of a harbor or port:

(1) Keep a continuous watch on 2182 kHz in the room from which the vessel is normally steered while at sea, whenever such station is not being used for authorized traffic. Such watch must be maintained by at least one officer or crewmember who may perform other duties relating to the operation or navigation of the vessel, provided such other duties do not interfere with the watch. A radiotelephone watch receiver having a loudspeaker and a radiotelephone auto alarm must be used to keep the continuous watch on 2182 kHz. After a determination by the master that maintenance of the watch would interfere with the safe navigation of the ship, the watch may be maintained by use of the radiotelephone auto alarm facility alone.

(2) Keep a continuous watch on 156.800 MHz from the room from which the vessel is normally steered. The watch must be maintained by a crewmember who may perform other duties, relating to the operation or navigation of the vessel, provided such other duties do not interfere with the watch. Use of properly adjusted squelch of brief interruptions due to other nearby VHF transmissions are not considered to adversely affect the watch. This watch need not be maintained by vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act and participating in a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system when a watch is maintained on both the bridge-to-bridge frequency and a VTS frequency.

(c) Each vessel of the United States transporting more than six passengers for hire, which is equipped with a radiotelephone station for compliance with part III of title III of the Communications Act must, while being navigated in the open sea or any tidewater within the jurisdiction of the United States adjacent or contiguous to the open sea, keep a continuous watch on 2182 kHz while the vessel is beyond VHF communication range of the nearest VHF coast station, whenever the radiotelephone station is not being used for authorized traffic. A VHF watch must be kept on 156.800 MHz whenever such station is not being used for authorized traffic. The VHF watch must be maintained at the vessel's steering station actually in use by the qualified operator as defined by §80.157 or by a crewmember who may perform other duties relating to the operation or navigation of the vessel, provided such other duties do not interfere with the watch. The use of a properly adjusted squelch is not considered to adversely affect the watch. The VHF watch need not be maintained by vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act and participating in a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) system when an efficient listening watch is maintained on both the bridge-to-bridge frequency and a VTS frequency.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46967, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64673, Nov. 8, 2004]

The radiotelegraph auto alarm required on a cargo ship subject to the radiotelegraph provisions of part II of title III of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention must be in operation, connected to the main antenna and adjusted for optimum efficiency at all times while the ship is being navigated in the open sea when a radio officer is not listening on the frequency 500 kHz, except under the circumstances as set forth in §80.306(b).

(a) Each ship of the United States that is equipped with a radiotelephone station for compliance with the Great Lakes Radio Agreement 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.

[53 FR 17052, May 13, 1988]

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.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 57 FR 61012, Dec. 23, 1992]

Voluntary vessels not equipped with DSC must maintain a watch 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) for call and reply purposes. Voluntary vessels equipped with VHF-DSC equipment must maintain a watch 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 Inmarsat A, B, or C systems 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.

[68 FR 46967, Aug. 7, 2003]

A mobile station in distress may use any means at its disposal to attract attention, make known its position, and obtain help. A distress call and message, however, must be transmitted only on the authority of the master or person responsible for the mobile station. No person shall knowingly transmit, or cause to be transmitted, any false or fraudulent signal of distress or related communication.

The distress call has absolute priority over all other transmissions. All stations which hear it must immediately cease any transmission capable of interfering with the distress traffic and must continue to listen on the frequency used for the emission of the distress call. This call must not be addressed to a particular station. Acknowledgement of receipt must not be given before the distress message which follows it is sent.

The frequencies specified in the bands below are for use by mobile stations in distress. The conventional emission is shown. When a ship station cannot transmit on the designated frequency or the conventional emission, it may use any available frequency or emission. Frequencies for distress and safety calling using digital selective calling techniques are listed in §80.359(b). Distress and safety NB-DP frequencies are indicated by footnote 2 in §80.361(b).

The maximum transmitter power obtainable may be used.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986; 51 FR 34984, Oct. 1, 1986; 68 FR 46968, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The international radiotelephone distress signal consists of the word MAYDAY, pronounced as the French expression “m'aider”.

(b) These distress signals indicate that a mobile station is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46968, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The radiotelephone distress call consists of:

(1) The distress signal MAYDAY spoken three times;

(2) The words THIS IS;

(3) The call sign (or name, if no call sign assigned) of the mobile station in distress, spoken three times.

(b) The procedures for canceling false distress alerts are contained in §80.335.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46968, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The radiotelephone distress message consists of:

(1) The distress signal MAYDAY;

(2) The name of the mobile station in distress;

(3) Particulars of its position;

(4) The nature of the distress;

(5) The kind of assistance desired;

(6) Any other information which might facilitate rescue, for example, the length, color, and type of vessel, number of persons on board.

(b) As a general rule, a ship must signal its position in latitude and longitude, using figures for the degrees and minutes, together with one of the words NORTH or SOUTH and one of the words EAST or WEST. In radiotelegraphy, the signal .-.-.- must be used to separate the degrees from the minutes. When practicable, the true bearing and distance in nautical miles from a known geographical position may be given.

(c) The procedures for canceling false distress alerts are contained in §80.335.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46968, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The international radiotelegraph alarm signal consists of a series of twelve dashes sent in one minute, the duration of each dash being four seconds and the duration of the interval between consecutive dashes one second. The purpose of this special signal is the actuation of automatic devices giving the alarm to attract the attention of the operator when there is no listening watch on the distress frequency.

(b) The international radiotelephone alarm signal consists of two substantially sinusoidal audio frequency tones transmitted alternately. One tone must have a frequency of 2200 Hertz and the other a frequency of 1300 Hertz, the duration of each tone being 250 milliseconds. When generated by automatic means, the radiotelephone alarm signal must be transmitted continuously for a period of at least 30 seconds, but not exceeding one minute; when generated by other means, the signal must be transmitted as continuously as practicable over a period of approximately one minute. The purpose of this special signal is to attract the attention of the person on watch or to actuate automatic devices giving the alarm.

(a) The radiotelegraph or radiotelephone alarm signal, as appropriate, must only be used to announce:

(1) That a distress call or message is about to follow;

(2) The transmission of an urgent cyclone warning. In this case the alarm signal may only be used by coast stations authorized by the Commission to do so; or

(3) The loss of a person or persons overboard. In this case the alarm signal may only be used when the assistance of other ships is required and cannot be satisfactorily obtained by the use of the urgency signal only, but the alarm signal must not be repeated by other stations. The message must be preceded by the urgency signal.

(b) In cases described in paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) of this section, the transmission of the warning or message by radiotelegraphy must not begin until two minutes after the end of the radiotelegraph alarm signal.

(a) The radiotelegraph distress procedure consists of the following six steps: however, when time is vital, the first and second steps may be omitted. These two steps of the distress procedure may also be omitted in circumstances when transmission of the alarm signal is considered unnecessary:

(1) The radiotelegraph alarm signal;

(2) The distress call and an interval of two minutes;

(3) The distress call;

(4) The distress message;

(5) Two dashes of ten to fifteen seconds each;

(6) The call sign of the mobile station in distress.

(b) The radiotelegraph distress transmissions must be sent by means of the international Morse code at a speed not exceeding 16 words per minute nor less than 8 words per minute.

(c) The distress message, preceded by the distress call, must be repeated at intervals until an answer is received. The radiotelegraph alarm signal may also be repeated, if necessary.

(d) The transmissions under paragraphs (a) (5) and (6) of this section, which are to permit direction finding stations to determine the position of the station in distress, may be repeated at frequent intervals if necessary.

(e) When the mobile station in distress receives no answer to a distress message transmitted on the distress frequency, the message may be repeated on any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 69 FR 64674, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) The radiotelephone distress procedure consists of:

(1) The radiotelephone alarm signal (whenever possible);

(2) The distress call;

(3) The distress message.

(b) The DSC distress procedure consists of:

(1) Transmission by a mobile unit in distress;

(2) Reception;

(3) Acknowledgement of distress calls;

(4) Distress relays.

(c) Radiotelephone distress transmissions must be made slowly and distinctly, each word being clearly pronounced to facilitate transcription.

(d) After the transmission by radiotelephony of its distress message, the mobile station may be requested to transmit suitable signals followed by its call sign or name, to permit direction-finding stations to determine its position. This request may be repeated at frequent intervals if necessary.

(e) The distress message, preceded by the distress call, must be repeated at intervals until an answer is received. This repetition must be preceded by the radiotelephone alarm signal whenever possible.

(f) When the mobile station in distress receives no answer to a distress message transmitted on the distress frequency, the message may be repeated on any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended

(a) Stations of the maritime mobile service which receive a distress message from a mobile station which is beyond any possible doubt in their vicinity must immediately acknowledge receipt. However, in areas where reliable communication with one or more coast stations is practicable, ship stations may defer this acknowledgement for a short interval so that a coast station may acknowledge receipt.

(b) Stations of the maritime mobile service which receive a distress message from a mobile station which beyond any possible doubt is not in their vicinity, must allow a short interval of time to elapse before acknowledging receipt of the message in order to permit stations nearer to the mobile station in distress to acknowledge receipt without interference.

(a) The acknowledgement of receipt of a radiotelegraph distress message is transmitted in the following form:

(1) The distress signal SOS;

(2) The call sign of the station sending the distress message, sent three times;

(3) The word DE;

(4) The call sign of the station acknowledging receipt, sent three times;

(5) The group RRR;

(6) The message signal SOS.

(b) The acknowledgement of receipt of a radiotelephone distress message is transmitted in the following form:

(1) The distress signal MAYDAY;

(2) The call sign or other identification of the station sending the distress message, spoken three times;

(3) The words THIS IS;

(4) The call sign or other identification of the station acknowledging receipt, spoken three times;

(5) The word RECEIVED;

(6) The distress signal MAYDAY.

(a) Every mobile station which acknowledges receipt of a distress message must on the order of the master or person responsible for the ship, aircraft, or other vehicle carrying such mobile station, transmit as soon as possible the following information in the order shown:

(1) Its identifier;

(2) Its position;

(3) The speed at which it is proceeding towards, and the approximate time it will take to reach the mobile station in distress.

(b) Before sending this message, the station must ensure that it will not interfere with the emissions of other stations better situated to render immediate assistance to the station in distress.

(a) A mobile station or a land station which learns that a mobile station is in distress must transmit a distress message in any of the following cases:

(1) When the station in distress cannot transmit the distress message.

(2) When the master or person responsible for the ship, aircraft, or other vehicle not in distress, or for the land station, believes that further help is necessary.

(3) When, although not in a position to assist, it has heard a distress message which has not been acknowledged. When a mobile station transmits such a distress message, it must notify the authorities who may be able to assist.

(b) Transmission must be made on the international distress frequencies or on any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.

(c) Transmission of the distress message must always be preceded by the call indicated below, which must itself be preceded whenever possible by the radiotelegraph or radiotelephone alarm signal. This call consists of:

(1) When radiotelegraphy is used:

(i) The signal DDD SOS SOS SOS DDD:

(ii) The word DE;

(iii) The call sign of the transmitting station, sent three times.

(2) When radiotelephony is used:

(i) The signal MAYDAY RELAY, spoken three times;

(ii) The words THIS IS;

(iii) The call sign or other identification of the transmitting station, spoken three times.

(d) When the radiotelegraph alarm signal is used, an interval of two minutes must be allowed, whenever this is considered necessary, before the transmission of the call mentioned in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.

(a) Distress traffic consists of all messages relating to the immediate assistance required by the mobile station in distress. In distress traffic, the distress signal must be sent before the call and at the beginning of the preamble of any radiotelegram.

(b) The control of distress traffic is the responsibility of the mobile station in distress or of the station which has sent the distress message. These stations may delegate the control of the distress traffic to another station.

(c) The station in distress or the station in control of distress traffic may impose silence either on all stations of the mobile service in the area or on any station which interferes with the distress traffic. It must address these instructions “to all stations” or to one station only, according to circumstances. In either case, it must use one of the following signals which are reserved for use by the mobile station in distress and for the station controlling distress traffic:

(1) In radiotelegraphy, the abbreviation QRT, followed by the distress signal SOS.

(2) In radiotelephony, the signal SEELONCE MAYDAY.

(d) If essential, any station of the mobile service near the ship, aircraft, or other vehicle in distress may also impose silence. It must use for this purpose:

(1) In radiotelegraphy, the abbreviation QRT, followed by the word DISTRESS and its own call sign;

(2) In radiotelephony, the word SEELONCE, followed by the word DISTRESS and its own call sign or other identification.

(a) When distress traffic has ceased, or when complete silence is no longer necessary on a frequency which has been used for distress traffic, the station which has controlled this traffic must transmit on that frequency a message addressed “to all stations” indicating that normal working may be resumed.

(1) In radiotelegraphy, this message consists of:

(i) The distress signal SOS;

(ii) The call “to all stations” (CQ), sent three times;

(iii) The word DE;

(iv) The call sign of the station sending the message;

(v) The time of handing in the message;

(vi) The name and call sign of the mobile station which was in distress;

(vii) The service abbreviation QUM.

(2) In radiotelephony, this message consists of:

(i) The distress signal MAYDAY;

(ii) The call “Hello all stations”, spoken three times;

(iii) The words THIS IS;

(iv) The call sign or other identification of the station sending the message;

(v) The time of handing in of the message;

(vi) The name and call sign of the mobile station which was in distress;

(vii) The words SEELONCE FEENEE OR PRU-DONCE.

(b) Until they receive the foregoing message indicating that normal or limited working may be resumed, all stations which are aware of the distress traffic, and which are not taking part in it, are forbidden to transmit on the frequencies on which the distress traffic is taking place.

(a) The urgency signal indicates that the calling station has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, or the safety of a person. The urgency signal must be sent only on the authority of the master or person responsible for the mobile station.

(b) In radiotelegraphy, the urgency signal consists of three repetitions of the group XXX, sent with the individual letters of each group, and the successive groups clearly separated from each other. It must be transmitted before the call.

(c) In radiotelephony, the urgency signal consists of three oral repetitions of the group of words PAN PAN transmitted before the call.

(d) The urgency signal has priority over all other communications except distress. All mobile and land stations which hear it must not interfere with the transmission of the message which follows the urgency signal.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35245, Sept. 18, 1987]

(a) The urgency signal and call, and the message following it, must be sent on one of the international distress frequencies. Stations which cannot transmit on a distress frequency may use any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.

(b) Mobile stations which hear the urgency signal must continue to listen for at least three minutes. At the end of this period, if no urgency message has been heard, they may resume their normal service. However, land and mobile stations which are in communication on frequencies other than those used for the transmission of the urgency signal and of the call which follows it may continue their normal work without interruption provided the urgency message is not addressed “to all stations”.

(c) When the urgency signal has been sent before transmitting a message “to all stations” which calls for action by the stations receiving the message, the station responsible for its transmission must cancel it as soon as it knows that action is no longer necessary. This message of cancellation must likewise be addressed “to all stations”.

(a) The safety signal indicates that the station is about to transmit a message concerning the safety of navigation or giving important meteorological warnings.

(b) In radiotelegraphy, the safety signal consists of three repetitions of the group TTT, sent with the individual letters of each group, and the successive groups clearly separated from each other. It must be sent before the call.

(c) In radiotelephony, the safety signal consists of the word SECURITE, pronounced as in French, spoken three times and transmitted before the call.

(d) The safety signal and call must be sent on one of the international distress frequencies (2182 kHz or 156.8 MHz radiotelephone). Stations which cannot transmit on a distress frequency may use any other available frequency on which attention might be attracted.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 69 FR 64674, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) The safety signal and call must be followed by the safety message. Where practicable, the safety message should be sent on a working frequency, and a suitable announcement to this effect must be made at the end of the call.

(b) Messages about meteorological warnings, of cyclones, dangerous ice, dangerous wrecks, or any other imminent danger to marine navigation must be preceded by the safety signal.

(c) Stations hearing the safety signal must not make any transmission likely to interfere with the message.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 69 FR 64674, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) Vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act transmitting on the designated navigational frequency must conduct communications in a format similar to those given below:

(1) This is the (name of vessel). My position is (give readily identifiable position, course and speed) about to (describe contemplated action). Out.

(2) Vessel off (give a readily identifiable position). This is (name of vessel) off (give a readily identifiable position). I plan to (give proposed course of action). Over.

(3) (Coast station), this is (vessel's name) off (give readily identifiable position). I plan to (give proposed course of action). Over.

(b) Vessels acknowledging receipt must answer “(Name of vessel calling). This is (Name of vessel answering). Received your call,” and follow with an indication of their intentions. Communications must terminate when each ship is satisfied that the other no longer poses a threat to its safety and is ended with “Out”.

(c) Use of power greater than 1 watt in a bridge-to-bridge station shall be limited to the following three situations:

(1) Emergency.

(2) Failure of the vessel being called to respond to a second call at low power.

(3) A broadcast call as in paragraph (a)(1) of this section in a blind situation, e.g., rounding a bend in a river.

(a) Survival craft stations may transmit distress, urgency and safety signals, calls and messages.

(b) EPIRB's may transmit only in accordance with the requirements of subparts V and X of this part.

The provisions of §§80.311 and 80.324 apply to the operations of ship earth stations in the maritime mobile-satellite service.

A distress alert is false if it was transmitted without any indication that a mobile unit or person was in distress and required immediate assistance. Transmitting a false distress alert is prohibited and may be subject to the provisions of part 1, subpart A of this chapter if that alert:

(a) Was transmitted intentionally;

(b) Was not cancelled in accordance with §80.335;

(c) Could not be verified as a result of either the ship's failure to keep watch on appropriate frequencies in accordance with §80.1123 or subpart G of this part, or its failure to respond to calls from the U.S. Coast Guard;

(d) Was repeated; or

(e) Was transmitted using a false identity.

[68 FR 46968, Aug. 7, 2003]

If a distress alert is inadvertently transmitted, the following steps shall be taken to cancel the distress alert.

(a) VHF Digital Selective Calling.

(1) Reset the equipment immediately;

(2) Transmit a DSC distress alert cancellation (i.e., own ship's acknowledgment), if that feature is available;

(3) Set to Channel 16; and

(4) Transmit a broadcast message to “All stations” giving the ship's name, call sign or registration number, and MMSI, and cancel the false distress alert.

(b) MF Digital Selective Calling.

(1) Reset the equipment immediately;

(2) Transmit a DSC distress alert cancellation (i.e., own ship's acknowledgment), if that feature is available;

(3) Tune for radiotelephony transmission on 2182 kHz; and

(4) Transmit a broadcast message to “All stations” giving the ship's name, call sign or registration number, and MMSI, and cancel the false distress alert.

(c) HF Digital Selective Calling;

(1) Reset the equipment immediately;

(2) Transmit a DSC distress alert cancellation (i.e., own ship's acknowledgment), if that feature is available, on each frequency on which the distress alert was transmitted;

(3) Tune for radiotelephony on the distress and safety frequency in each band in which a false distress alert was transmitted; and

(4) Transmit a broadcast message to “All stations” giving the ship's name, call sign or registration number, and MMSI, and cancel the false distress alert frequency in each band in which a false distress alert was transmitted.

(d) INMARSAT ship earth station. Immediately notify the appropriate rescue coordination center that the alert is cancelled by sending a distress priority message by way of the same land earth station through which the false distress alert was sent. Provide ship name, call sign or registration number, and INMARSAT identity with the cancelled alert message.

(e) EPIRB. If for any reason an EPIRB is activated inadvertently, immediately contact the nearest U.S. Coast Guard unit or appropriate rescue coordination center by telephone, radio or ship earth station and cancel the distress alert.

(f) General and other distress alerting systems. Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section, ships may use additional appropriate means available to them to inform the nearest appropriate U.S. Coast Guard rescue coordination center that a false distress alert has been transmitted and should be cancelled.

[68 FR 46968, Aug. 7, 2003]

The following sections describe the carrier frequencies and general uses of radiotelegraphy with respect to the following:

—Distress, urgency, safety, call and reply.

This section describes the distress, urgency, safety, call and reply carrier frequencies assignable to stations for Morse code radiotelegraphy.

(a) Frequencies in the 100–160 kHz band. The international calling frequency in the 100–160 kHz band is 143 kHz using A1A or J2A emission. When a ship station operating in the 100–160 kHz band desires to communicate with a coast station, it must call on the frequency 143 kHz unless the International List of Coast Stations provides otherwise. Coast stations must reply on their normal working frequency in this band. Only individual calls, replies to such calls, and transmission of signals preparatory to traffic may be transmitted on 143 kHz.

(b) Frequencies in the 2000–27500 kHz band—(1) Ship station frequencies. The following table describes the calling frequencies in the 4000–27500 kHz band which are available for use by authorized ship stations equipped with crystal-controlled oscillators for A1A, J2A, J2B, or J2D radiotelegraphy. There are two series of frequencies for worldwide use and two series of frequencies for each geographic region. Ship stations with synthesized transmitters may operate on every full 100 Hz increment in the 0.5 kHz channel for the frequencies listed, except for 100 Hz above and below those designated for worldwide use. During normal business hours when not communicating on other frequencies, all U.S. coast radiotelegraph stations must monitor the worldwide frequencies and the initial calling frequencies for the region in which it is located. The specific frequencies which must be monitored by a coast station will vary with propagation conditions. The calling frequencies which are routinely monitored by specific coast stations can be determined by reference to the ITU publication entitled “List of Coast Stations.” Initial calls by ship stations must be made on the appropriate initial calling frequency first. Calls on the worldwide frequencies may be made only after calls on the appropriate initial calling frequency are unsuccessful.

(2) Coast Station frequencies. Coast stations may use any working carrier frequency for distress, safety and calling listed in §80.357(b)(1) which is not identified with a specific use.

(c) Frequencies in the VHF bands. (1) Survival craft stations using 121.500 MHz may be assigned A3N emission for radiobeacon purposes.

(2) EPIRB stations may be assigned 121.500 MHz and 243 MHz using A3E, A3X and NON emission or 406.0–406.1 MHz using G1D emission to aid search and rescue operations. See subpart V of this part.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986; 51 FR 34984, Oct. 1, 1986; 52 FR 35245, Sept. 18, 1987; 56 FR 9886, Mar. 8, 1991; 56 FR 11516, Mar. 19, 1991; 68 FR 46969, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64674, Nov. 8, 2004]

This section describes the working frequencies assignable to maritime stations for A1A, J2A, J2B (2000–27500 kHz band only), or J2D (2000–27500 kHz band only) radiotelegraphy.

(a) Ship station frequencies—(1) Frequencies in the 100–160 kHz band. The following table describes the working carrier frequencies in the 100–160 kHz band which are assignable to ship stations. A ship station may also transmit on a radiotelegraphy working channel of a coast station within the 100–160 kHz band when directed to do so by the coast station provided interference is not caused to any land, fixed, broadcast, or radiolocation station.

(2) Frequencies in the 405–525 kHz band. The following table describes the working carrier frequencies in the 405–525 kHz band which are assignable to ship stations. A ship station may transmit on a radiotelegraphy working channel of a coast station in the 415–490 kHz band when directed to do so by the coast station.

(3) Frequencies in the 2000–27500 kHz band. This paragraph describes the working frequencies and Channel Series in the 2000–27500 kHz band which are assignable to ship stations.

(i) Two Channel Series will be assigned for routine use to each ship station. Frequencies from any other Channel Series may be used if the frequencies in the assigned Channel Series are not adequate for communications.

(ii) If the frequencies listed in paragraph (3)(i) of this section are not adequate for communications, ship stations may use any of the non-paired narrow-band direct-printing frequencies listed in §80.361(b) of this part for A1A or J2A radiotelegraphy.

(b) Coast station frequencies—(1) Frequencies in the 100–27500 kHz band. The following table describes the working carrier frequencies in the 100–27500 kHz band which are assignable to coast stations located in the designated geographical areas. The exclusive maritime mobile HF bands listed in the table contained in §80.363(a)(2) of this chapter are also available for assignment to public coast stations for A1A, J2A, J2B, or J2D radiotelegraphy following coordination with government users.

(2) Conditions of use. The following conditions are applicable to these frequencies:

(i) Frequencies in the 100–160 kHz band are assignable to coast stations for high seas communications only;

(ii) Frequencies above 5 MHz may be assigned primarily to stations serving the high seas and secondarily to stations serving inland waters of the United States, including the Great Lakes, under the condition that interference will not be caused to any coast station serving the high seas.

(iii) The frequency 410 kHz may be used on a secondary basis for the transmission of radiodetermination information and for transmitting by radiotelegraph radiodetermination messages to direction-finding stations; and

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986; 51 FR 34984, Oct. 1, 1986, as amended at 56 FR 9887, Mar. 8, 1991; 56 FR 34029, July 25, 1991; 65 FR 77824, Dec. 13, 2000; 67 FR 48264, July 15, 2002; 68 FR 46969, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64674, Nov. 8, 2004]

(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. The provisions and procedures for distress and safety calling are contained in ITU-R Recommendation M.541–8, “Operational Procedures for the Use of Digital Selective-Calling Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes, 1997, as modified by §80.103(c). ITU-R Recommendation M.541–8 with Annexes is incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of this standard can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendation can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

(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.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 49995, Dec. 4, 1989; 56 FR 9890, Mar. 8, 1991; 56 FR 14150, Apr. 5, 1991; 68 FR 46969, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Paired channels. The following frequencies are available for assignment to public coast stations for narrow-band direct-printing (NBDP) and data transmissions. The paired ship frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations for NBDP and data transmissions.

(b) The following table describes the frequencies and Channel Series with F1B, J2B, or J2D emission which are assignable to ship stations for NBDP and data transmissions with other ship stations and public coast stations. Public coast stations may receive only on these frequencies.

(c) Distress and calling. The frequencies 2174.5 kHz, 4177.5 kHz, 6268.0 kHz, 8376.5 kHz, 12520.0 kHz, and 16695.0 kHz may be used for NBDP and data transmissions by coast and ship stations on a simplex basis for distress and safety purposes.

(d) The frequencies in the 156–162 MHz band available for assignment to public coast stations that are contained in §80.371(c) of this part are also available for radioprinter and data communications between ship and coast stations using F1B, F2B, F1D, or F2D emission.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 56 FR 9890, Mar. 8, 1991; 57 FR 43407, Sept. 21, 1992; 58 FR 16504, Mar. 29, 1993; 68 FR 46969, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The non-paired frequencies with F1C, F3C, J2C or J3C emission which are assignable to ship and public coast stations for facsimile are as follows:

(1) Ship station frequencies. The following frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations for facsimile.

(2) Coast station frequencies. The following table describes the exclusive maritime mobile HF frequency bands that are available for assignment to coast stations using 3 kHz channels for facsimile. However, any frequency in the 2000–27500 kHz bands listed in Part 2 of the Commission's Rules as available for shared use by the maritime mobile service and other radio services, except for the 4000–4063 kHz and the 8100–8195 kHz bands, is available for assignment to coast stations for facsimile. Frequency assignments are subject to coordination with government users.

(b) The frequencies in the 156–162 MHz band available for assignment to public coast stations that are contained in §80.371(c) of this part are also available for facsimile communications between ship and coast stations using F2C or F3C emission.

(c) The frequency 156.425 MHz is assigned by rule to private coast stations and ship stations in Alaska for ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship facsimile transmissions using F2C or F3C emissions.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 40059, Sept. 29, 1989; 56 FR 9893, Mar. 8, 1991; 57 FR 43407, Sept. 21, 1992; 62 FR 40307, July 28, 1997; 68 FR 46970, Aug. 7, 2003]

The following sections describe the carrier frequencies and general conditions of use for the following types of radiotelephony:

—Distress, urgency, safety, call and reply.

(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).

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35245, Sept. 18, 1987; 54 FR 49995, Dec. 4, 1989; 56 FR 9893, Mar. 8, 1991; 57 FR 19552, May 7, 1992]

This section describes the radiotelephony working frequencies assignable to ship and public coast stations.

(a) Working frequencies in the 2000–4000 kHz band. The following table describes the working carrier frequency pairs in the 2000–4000 kHz band.

(b) Working frequencies in the 4000–27500 kHz band. This paragraph describes the working carrier frequencies in the 4000–27500 kHz band. With respect to frequencies that are assignable in more than one geographical area, once the frequency is assigned to one licensee, any subsequent license will be authorized on a secondary, non-interference basis with respect to the incumbent license's existing operation. If the first licensee later seeks authorization to operate in an additional geographic area, such authorization will be on a secondary, non-interference basis to other co-channel licensees.

(1) The following table specifies the carrier frequencies available for assignment to public coast stations. The paired ship frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations. The specific frequency assignment available to public coast stations for a particular geographic area is indicated by an “x” under the appropriate column. The allotment areas are in accordance with the “Standard Defined Areas” as identified in the International Radio Regulations, Appendix 25 Planning System, and indicated in the preface to the International Frequency List (IFL).

(2) The following table specifies the non-paired carrier frequencies that are available for assignment to public coast stations for simplex operations. These frequencies are available for use by authorized ship stations for transmissions to coast stations (simplex operations). Assignments on these frequencies must accept interference. They are shared with government users and are considered “common use” frequencies under the international Radio Regulations. They cannot be notified for inclusion in the Master International Frequency Register, which provides stations with interference protection, but may be listed in the international List of Coast Stations. (See Radio Regulation No. 1220 and Recommendation 304.)

(c) Working frequencies in the marine VHF 156–162 MHz band. (1)(i) The frequency pairs listed in the table in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) are available for assignment to public coast stations for public correspondence communications with ship stations and units on land.

(ii) Service areas in the marine VHF 156–162 MHz band are VHF Public Coast Station Areas (VPCSAs). As listed in the table in this paragraph, VPCSAs are based on, and composed of one or more of, the U.S. Department of Commerce's 172 Economic Areas (EAs). See 60 FR 13114 (March 10, 1995). In addition, the Commission shall treat Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Gulf of Mexico as EA-like areas, and has assigned them EA numbers 173–176, respectively. Maps of the EAs and VPCSAs are available for public inspection and copying at the FCC Public Reference Room, Room CY–A257, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. Except as shown in the table, the frequency pairs listed in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section are available for assignment to a single licensee in each of the VPCSAs listed in the table in this paragraph. In addition to the EAs listed in the table in this paragraph, each VPCSA also includes the adjacent waters under the jurisdiction of the United States.

(iii) Subject to paragraph (c)(3) of this section, each licensee may also operate on 12.5 kHz offset frequencies in areas where the licensee is authorized on both frequencies adjacent to the offset frequency, and in areas where the licensee on the other side of the offset frequency consents to the licensee's use of the adjacent offset frequency. Coordination with Canada is required for offset operations under any circumstance in which operations on either adjoining 25 kHz channel would require such coordination. See §80.57 of this part.

(2) Any recovered channel pairs will revert automatically to the holder of the VPCSA license within which such channels are included, except the channel pairs listed in the table in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section. Those channel pairs, and any channel pairs recovered where there is no VPCSA licensee, will be retained by the Commission for future licensing.

(3) VPCSA licensees may not operate on Channel 228B (162.0125 MHz), which is available for use in the Coast Guard's Ports and Waterways Safety System (PAWSS)). In addition, within six months of the conclusion of the competitive bidding procedures to determine the licensees in each VPCSA, the U.S. Coast Guard shall submit to each licensee of VPCSAs 1–9 a plan specifying up to two narrowband channel pairs offset 12.5 kHz from the channels set forth in the table in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section, for use in the PAWSS. The final selection of the PAWSS channel pairs can be negotiated (if the VPCSA licensee objects to the Coast Guard proposal, it shall make a counterproposal within three months) and established by an agreement between the parties. All parties are required to negotiate in good faith. If no agreement is reached within one year of the date the Coast Guard submitted its plan, the Coast Guard may petition the Commission to select the channel pairs.

(4) Subject to the requirements of §1.924 of this chapter and §80.21, each VPCSA licensee may place stations anywhere within its region without obtaining prior Commission approval provided:

(i) It provides to co-channel coast station incumbent licensees, and incumbent Private Land Mobile Radio licensees authorized under part 90 of this chapter on a primary basis, protection as defined in subpart P of this part. VPCSA licensees that share a common border may either distribute the available frequencies upon mutual agreement or request that the Commission assign frequencies along the common border.

(ii) The locations and/or technical parameters of the transmitters are such that individual coordination of the channel assignment(s) with a foreign administration, under applicable international agreements and rules in this part, is not required.

(iii) For any construction or alteration that would exceed the requirements of §17.7 of this chapter, licensees must notify the appropriate Regional Office of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA Form 7460–1) and file a request for antenna height clearance and obstruction marking and lighting specifications (FCC Form 854) with the FCC, Attn: Information Processing Branch, 1270 Fairfield Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325–7245.

(iv) The transmitters must not have a significant environmental effect as defined by §§1.1301 through 1.1319 of this chapter.

(d) Working frequencies in the Mississippi River System. The Mississippi River System includes the Mississippi River and connecting navigable waters other than the Great Lakes. The following simplex frequencies are available for assignment to public coast stations serving the Mississippi River System for radiotelephony communications. These simplex frequencies also are available for use by authorized ship stations within communication service range, whether or not the ship is operating within the confines of the Mississippi River System.

(e) Canada/U.S.A. channeling arrangement frequencies. The VHF frequencies assignable to ship and coast stations in the State of washington and their usage limitations purusant to the Canada/U.S.A. channeling arrangement are described in subpart B of this part.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35245, Sept. 18, 1987; 52 FR 48439, Dec. 22, 1987; 56 FR 9894, Mar. 8, 1991; 57 FR 26779, June 16, 1992; 58 FR 44953, Aug. 25, 1993; 60 FR 35510, July 10, 1995; 62 FR 40307, July 28, 1997; 63 FR 40065, July 27, 1998; 64 FR 26887, May 18, 1999; 65 FR 77824, Dec. 13, 2000; 67 FR 48565, July 25, 2002; 69 FR 64674, Nov. 8, 2004]

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 see 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 liminations 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 kHz2738.0 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  5700–5950¹

3155–3400  7300–8100¹

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) 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 Business Radio Service.

(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

(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 VHF or coast station, VHF or UHF land mobile base station, or U.S. Government station.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986; 51 FR 34984, Oct. 1, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35245, Sept. 18, 1987; 53 FR 17052, May 13, 1988; 54 FR 8542, Mar. 1, 1989; 54 FR 40059, Sept. 29, 1989; 56 FR 9896, Mar. 8, 1991; 56 FR 34030, July 25, 1991; 57 FR 19552, May 7, 1992; 57 FR 26779, June 16, 1992; 58 FR 16504, Mar. 29, 1993; 58 FR 44953, Aug. 25, 1993; 60 FR 35510, July 10, 1995; 62 FR 40307, July 28, 1997; 65 FR 43715, July 14, 2000; 67 FR 48564, July 25, 2002; 68 FR 25540, May 13, 2003; 68 FR 46970, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 76865, Dec. 23, 2004]

Coast station assignments in the 4000–4063 kHz band deviate from international provisions. Coast station assignments in the 4000–4063 kHz band are permitted provided that such stations must not cause interference to, and must accept interference from, stations operated by other countries in accordance with the Radio Regulations.

(a) Frequencies in the 4000–4063 kHz band. (1) The frequencies in the 4000–4063 kHz bands are available to ship and public coast stations for:

(i) Supplementary ship-to-shore duplex operations with coast stations assigned the frequencies described in §80.371(b) of this part;

(ii) Intership simplex operations and cross-band operations;

(iii) Ship-to-shore or shore-to-ship simplex operations; or

(iv) Duplex operations with coast stations assigned in the band 4438–4650 kHz, as described in §80.373(d) of this part.

(2) The following table describes the channelization of carrier frequencies in the 4000–4063 kHz band.

(b) Frequencies in the 8100–8195 kHz band. (1) The frequencies in the 8100–8195 kHz bands are available to ship and public coast stations for:

(i) Supplementary ship-to-shore duplex operations with coast stations assigned the frequencies described in §80.371(b) of this part;

(ii) Intership simplex operations and cross-band operations; or

(iii) Ship-to-shore or shore-to-ship simplex operations.

(2) The following table describes the channelization of carrier frequencies in the 8100–8195 kHz band.

[56 FR 9896, Mar. 8, 1991, as amended at 65 FR 77826, Dec. 13, 2000; 68 FR 46970, Aug. 7, 2003]

This section describes the carrier frequencies assignable to radiodetermination stations. Only direction finding radar stations will be authorized on land.

(a) Direction finding frequencies. The carrier frequencies assignable to ship stations for directional finding operations are:

Carrier Frequency

8364 kHz

121.500 MHz

243.00 MHz

(b) Radiodetermination frequencies for cable-repair ships. Except in Region 1 the channels in the 285–325 kHz band are assignable to ship stations for cable-repair radiodetermination operations. In Region 1 the channels available for assignment for such operations are limited to the 285–315 kHz band. The conditions of use of these channels are set forth in subpart X of this part. Channel usage must comply with the following requirements:

(1) They are not permitted within the territorial waters of a foreign country;

(2) Their output power must not exceed 15 watts; and

(3) They must not cause interference to any maritime station in the radionavigation service.

(c) Radiodetermination frequencies below 500 MHz. The frequencies 154.585 MHz, 159.480 MHz, 160.725 MHz, 160.785 MHz, 454.000 MHz and 459.000 MHz are authorized for offshore radiolocation and associated telecommand operations under a ship station license provided:

(1) The use of these frequencies is related to the ship's commercial operations;

(2) The station antenna height does not exceed 6 meters (20 feet) above sea level in a buoy station or 6 meters (20 feet) above the mast of the ship in which it is installed.

(d) Radiodetermination frequency bands above 2400 MHz. (1) The radiodetermination frequency bands assignable to ship and shore stations including ship and shore radar and transponder stations are as follows: 2450–2500 MHz; 2900–3100 MHz; 5460–5650 MHz; 9300–9500 MHz; and 14.00–14.05 GHz.

(2) Assignment of these bands to ship and coast stations are subject to the following conditions:

(i) The 2450–2500 MHz band may be used only for radiolocation on the condition that harmful interference must not be caused to the fixed and mobile services. No protection is provided from interference caused by emissions from industrial, scientific, or medical equipment;

(ii) The use of the 2900–3100 MHz, 5470–5650 MHz and 9300–9500 MHz bands for radiolocation must not cause harmful interference to the radionavigation and Government radiolocation services. Additionally, the use of the 2900–3000 MHz band for radiolocation must not cause harmful interference to the Government meteorological aids service.

(iii) In the 2920–3100 MHz and 9320–9500 MHz bands the use of fixed-frequency transponders for radionavigation is not permitted;

(iv) Non-Government radiolocation stations may be authorized in the 5460–5470 MHz band on the condition that harmful interference shall not be caused to the aeronautical or maritime radionavigation services or to Government radiolocation service;

(v) The use of the 5460–5650 MHz band for radionavigation is limited to shipborne radar;

(vi) The use of the 14.00–14.05 GHz band will be authorized only for test purposes and maritime radionavigation on a secondary basis to the fixed-satellite service; and

(e) Search and rescue radar transponder stations. The technical standards for search and rescue transponder stations are in subpart W of this part.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 7419, Mar. 11, 1987; 55 FR 6394, Feb. 23, 1990; 57 FR 26779, June 16, 1992; 58 FR 44953, Aug. 25, 1993; 68 FR 46970, Aug. 7, 2003]

The frequency band 1626.5–1645.5 MHz is assignable for communication, radiodetermination and telecommand messages, and developmental operations that are associated with the position, orientation and operational functions of maritime satellite equipment. The frequency band 1645.5–1646.5 MHz is reserved for use in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 57 FR 26779, June 16, 1992]

This section describes the maritime frequencies assignable to aircraft stations for simplex operations:

(a) Available frequencies:

(b) The conditions of use of the carrier frequencies in paragraph (a) of this section, are:

(1) For permissible geographic areas of operation see §80.373(b)(1). For other limitations see §80.373(b)(7);

(2) Aircraft and ship stations may use 3023.0 kHz and 5680.0 kHz for search and rescue scene-of-action coordination including communications between these stations and participating land stations. Stations using these frequencies must use J3E emission;

(3) Assignable for distress and safety communications between aircraft and maritime mobile stations;

(4) Assignable for search and rescue between ships and aircraft. Stations using these frequencies must use A3E emission;

(5) These frequencies may be used by aircraft stations when:

(i) The altitude of aircraft stations does not exceed 300 meters (1,000 feet), except for reconnaissance aircraft participating in icebreaking operations where an altitude of 450 meters (1,500 feet) is allowed;

(ii) The mean power of aircraft stations must not exceed five watts;

(iii) Communications are limited to operations in which the maritime mobile stations are primarily involved and where direct communications between the aircraft and the ship or coast station is required;

(iv) Stations may use 156.300 MHz for safety purposes only;

(v) Stations may use 156.800 MHz for distress, safety and calling only; and

(vi) Use of 156.375 MHz by aircraft is not permitted in the New Orleans VTS area specified in §80.383.

(6) The use of 157.100 MHz is limited to communications with stations of the Department of Interior at Lake Mead, Nevada; and

(7) Commercial fishing vessels and associated aircraft may use 157.425 MHz while engaged in commercial fishing activities except within 120 km (75 miles) of the United States/Canada border and Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its approaches, the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 44953, Aug. 25, 1993]

The following carrier frequencies in the 72–76 MHz band are assignable to operational fixed stations using vertical polarization, if no harmful interference is caused to TV reception on Channels 4 and 5. These frequencies are shared with the Land Mobile and Aviation Radio Services.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 40059, Sept. 29, 1989]

This section describes the carrier frequencies available for use in the Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) systems within the designated geographic radio protected areas.

(a) Assigned frequencies:

(b) The U.S. Coast Guard designated radio protection areas for VTS are as follows:

(1) New York. The rectangle between north latitudes 40 degrees and 42 degrees and west longitudes 71 degrees and 74 degrees 30 minutes;

(2) New Orleans. The rectangle between North latitudes 27 degrees 30 minutes and 31 degrees 30 minutes and West longitudes 87 degrees 30 minutes and 93 degrees;

(3) Houston. The rectangle between north latitudes 28 degrees 30 minutes and 30 degrees 20 minutes and west longitudes 93 degrees 30 minutes and 96 degrees;

(4) Seattle (Puget Sound). The area encompassed between the United States-Canadian border and a line drawn from 49 degrees North 121 degrees West on the United States-Canadian Border, to 46 degrees 30 minutes North 121 degrees West, then to 46 degrees 30 minutes North 125 degrees West, then to 48 degrees 30 minutes North 125 degrees West, and then east to the United States-Canadian Border;

(5) San Francisco. The rectangle between north latitudes 39 degrees and 37 degrees and west longitudes 120 degrees 50 minutes and 123 degrees 20 minutes; and

(6) Prince William Sound. The rectangle between North latitudes 61 degrees 17 minutes and 59 degrees 22 minutes and West longitudes 149 degrees 39 minutes and 145 degrees 36 minutes.

(7) Sault Ste. Marie. The rectangle between North latitudes 45 degrees and 47 degrees, and West longitudes 83 degrees and 85 degrees.

(8) Berwick Bay. The rectangle between North latitudes 28 degrees 30 minutes and 30 degrees 30 minutes, and West longitudes 90 degrees 50 minutes and 92 degrees.

(c) The use of the frequencies shown in paragraph (a) of this section is permitted in areas outside the Coast Guard radio protection areas provided there is no interference to VTS communications within the VTS areas.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35245, Sept. 18, 1987; 54 FR 8746, Mar. 2, 1989; 55 FR 46514, Nov. 5, 1990; 58 FR 16504, Mar. 29, 1993; 61 FR 26120, May 24, 1996; 61 FR 26466, May 28, 1996; 63 FR 53313, Oct. 5, 1998]

This section describes the carrier frequencies for the Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS) and for other automated multi-station systems.

(a) Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS). (1) The Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS) is an integrated and interconnected maritime communications system.

(2) The following carrier frequencies are available for assignment to public coast stations for public correspondence communications with ship stations and units on land. AMTS operations must not cause harmful interference to the U.S. Navy SPASUR system which operates in the band 216.880–217.080 MHz.

(3) As listed in the table in this paragraph, AMTS Areas (AMTSAs) are based on, and composed of one or more of, the U.S Department of Commerce's 172 Economic Areas (EAs). See 60 FR 13114 (March 10, 1995). In addition, the Commission shall treat Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Gulf of Mexico as EA-like areas. The Gulf of Mexico EA extends from 12 nautical miles off the United States Gulf coast outward into the Gulf. See §27.6(a)(2) of this chapter and 62 FR 9636. Maps of the EAs and AMTSAs are available for public inspection and copying at the Federal Communications Commission, Reference Center, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY  A257, Washington, DC 20554. These maps and data are also available on the FCC Web site at www.fcc.gov/oet/info/maps/areas/. The Group A and B frequency pairs listed in the table in paragraph (a)(2) of this section are available for assignment to a single licensee in each of the AMTSAs listed in the table in this paragraph. In addition to the listed EAs listed in the table in this paragraph, each AMTSA also includes the adjacent waters under the jurisdiction of the United States.

(4) Channels in the 219–220 MHz band are also used on a secondary, non-interference basis by amateur stations participating in digital message forwarding systems. Amateur stations may not cause harmful interference to AMTS operations and must accept any harmful interference from AMTS operation. Amateur stations within 80 km (50 miles) of an AMTS coast station must obtain written approval from the AMTS licensee prior to operating in the 219–220 MHz band. Amateur stations within 640 km (398 miles) of an AMTS coast station must notify the AMTS licensee in writing at least 30 days prior to initiation of operations in the 219–220 MHz band. All amateur stations must notify the American Radio Relay League in writing at least 30 days prior to initiation of operations in the 219–220 MHz band (ARRL, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111–1494).

(b) Subject to the requirements of §1.924 of this chapter, §§80.215(h), and 80.475(a), each AMTS geographic area licensee may place stations anywhere within its region without obtaining prior Commission approval provided:

(1) The AMTS geographic area licensee must locate its stations at least 120 kilometers from the stations of co-channel site-based AMTS licensees. Shorter separations between such stations will be considered by the Commission on a case-by-case basis upon submission of a technical analysis indicating that at least 18 dB protection will be provided to a site-based licensee's predicted 38 dBu signal level contour. The site-based licensee's predicted 38 dBu signal level contour shall be calculated using the F(50, 50) field strength chart for Channels 7–13 in §73.699 (Fig. 10) of this chapter, with a 9 dB correction for antenna height differential. The 18 dB protection to the site-based licensee's predicted 38 dBu signal level contour shall be calculated using the F(50, 10) field strength chart for Channels 7–13 in §73.699 (Fig. 10a) of this chapter, with a 9 dB correction factor for antenna height differential.

(2) The locations and/or technical parameters of the transmitters are such that individual coordination of the channel assignment(s) with a foreign administration, under applicable international agreements and rules in this part, is not required.

(3) For any construction or alteration that would exceed the requirements of §17.7 of this chapter, licensees must notify the appropriate Regional Office of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA Form 7460–1) and file a request for antenna height clearance and obstruction marking and lighting specifications (FCC Form 854) with the FCC, Attn: Information Processing Branch, 1270 Fairfield Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325–7245.

(4) The transmitters must not have a significant environmental effect as defined by §§1.1301 through 1.1319 of this chapter.

(c) Any recovered frequency blocks will revert automatically to the holder of the geographic area license within which such frequencies are included. Any frequency blocks recovered where there is no geographic area licensee will be retained by the Commission for future licensing.

(d) Automated multi-station system. Great Lakes Region. The following table describes the assignable carrier frequency pairs to provide communication services including automated calling, teleprinter and facsimile:

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 29041, July 11, 1989; 56 FR 3783, Jan. 31, 1991; 57 FR 26780, June 16, 1992; 60 FR 15687, Mar. 27, 1995; 61 FR 46566, Sept. 4, 1996; 67 FR 48565, July 25, 2002; 69 FR 19948, Apr. 15, 2004; 69 FR 44471, July 26, 2004]

(a) The carrier frequencies listed in (b) of this section are assignable for point-to-point simplex radiotelephone communications between private fixed stations in Alaska. The frequency pairs listed in paragraph (d) of this section are assignable for point-to-point duplex radiotelephone communications between private and public fixed stations in Alaska. Fixed stations in Alaska authorized to share carrier frequencies with the maritime mobile service must always give priority on such frequencies to maritime distress, urgency and safety communications.

(b) Alaska private-fixed station frequencies:

(c) Use of the frequencies in paragraph (b) of this section must meet the following conditions:

(1) Communications between private coast and private fixed stations are prohibited; and

(2) Station licensees must not charge for third party communication services between their station and any other private fixed station.

(d) The following carrier frequency pairs are assignable for point-to-point communications between public fixed and private fixed stations:

(e) The public fixed station frequencies are assignable to common carriers.

(f) The private fixed station frequencies described in paragraph (d) of this section are assignable to private entities located in areas where common carrier facilities are not available. Private fixed stations operating on the frequencies in paragraph (d) of this section, must communicate with public fixed stations only. Private fixed stations are permitted to provide third party communications between their station and the public fixed stations. A charge for such service is prohibited.

(g) U.S. Government frequencies will be authorized if the Commission determines that the assignment is in the public interest.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35245, Sept. 18, 1987; 56 FR 34030, July 25, 1991; 68 FR 25540, May 13, 2003]

(a) Marine receiver test. Maritime support stations will be authorized to conduct receiver tests on the ship station frequencies of the channels assigned to the associated public coast station.

(b) Shore radar and radiolocation tests. The following frequency bands are available for assignment to demonstrate radar and radiolocation equipment. The use of frequencies within these bands must not cause harmful interference to the radionavigation service and the Government radiolocation service: 2450–2500 MHz, 2900–3100 MHz, 5460–5650 MHz, 9300–9500 MHz, 14.0–14.05 GHz.

(a) Ship and shore stations engaged in developmental operations may be assigned any frequency or frequencies assignable to the service and class of station they propose to operate. The following frequency bands are also assignable to ships and coast stations for developmental operations:

(b) Stations authorized to conduct developmental operations are prohibited from communicating with any station of a country other than the United States.

(c) Stations authorized to conduct developmental operations must not cause harmful interference to the operation of stations authorized in other public services nor to any United States Government or foreign station.

Licensees of radio stations are required to have current station documents as indicated in the following table:

Notes: 1. The expired station license must be retained in the station records until the first Commission inspection after the expiration date.

[68 FR 46970, Aug. 7, 2003]

Station documents must be readily available to the licensed operator(s) on duty during the hours of service of the station and to authorized Commission employees upon request.

(a) Requirement. Except as provided in §80.13(c), stations must have an authorization granted by the Federal Communications Commission.

(b) Application. Application for authorizations in the maritime services must be submitted on the prescribed forms in accordance with subpart B of this part.

(c) Posting. (1) The current station authorization for a station other than a public coast station, or a clearly legible copy, must be posted at the principal control point of each station. If a copy is posted, it must indicate the location of the original. When the station license cannot be posted as in the case of a marine utility station operating at temporary unspecified locations or the ship or recreational boat does not have an enclosed wheelhouse, it must be kept where it will be readily available for inspection. The licensee of a station on board a ship subject to Part II or III or Title III of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention must retain the most recently expired ship station license in the station records until the first Commission inspection after the expiration date.

(2) Public coast stations authorized under this part must make available either a clearly legible copy of the authorization for each station at the principal control point of the station or an address or location where the current authorization may be found and a telephone number of that authorization's representative.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 62 FR 40307, July 28, 1997; 68 FR 46972, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64676, Nov. 8, 2004]

This section contains information and rules pertinent to the application for and posting of radio operator authorizations. Rules applicable to radio operator requirements are contained in subpart D of this part and other rules pertinent to commercial radio operators are contained in part 13 of this chapter.

(a) Application. Detailed information about application forms, filing procedures, and places to file applications for radio operator authorizations is contained in the bulletin “Commercial Radio Operator Licenses and Permits.” This bulletin is available from any Commission District Office or from the FCC, Washington, DC 20554.

(b) Posting. When a Commission-authorized operator is required, the original authorization of each operator must be posted at the principal control point of the station. In lieu of posting, an operator who holds a restricted radiotelephone operator permit or a higher class operator license may have the operator authorization or a photocopy thereof available for inspection upon request by authorized Commission employees when operating the following:

(1) A voluntary station;

(2) Any class of ship station when the operator is on board solely to service the radio equipment; or

(3) A portable station.

(a) General requirements. Logs must be established and properly maintained as follows:

(1) The log must be kept in an orderly manner. The required information for the particular class or category of station must be readily available. Key letters or abbreviations may be used if their proper meaning or explanation is contained elsewhere in the same log.

(2) Erasures, obliterations or willful destruction within the retention period are prohibited. Corrections may be made only by the person originating the entry by striking out the error, initialing the correction and indicating the date of correction.

(3) Ship station logs must identify the vessel name, country of registry, and official number of the vessel.

(4) The station licensee and the radio operator in charge of the station are responsible for the maintenance of station logs.

(b) Availability and retention. Station logs must be made available to authorized Commission employees upon request and retained as follows:

(1) Logs must be retained by the licensee for a period of two years from the date of entry, and, when applicable, for such additional periods as required by the following paragraphs:

(i) Logs relating to a distress situation or disaster must be retained for three years from the date of entry.

(ii) If the Commission has notified the licensee of an investigation, the related logs must be retained until the licensee is specifically authorized in writing to destroy them.

(iii) Logs relating to any claim or complaint of which the station licensee has notice must be retained until the claim or complaint has been satisfied or barred by statute limiting the time for filing suits upon such claims.

(2) Logs containing entries required by paragraph (c) of this section must be kept either at the principal control point of the station or electronically filed at the station licensee's primary office or available to the Commission via secured access to the licensee's Internet web site. Logs containing entries required by paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section must be kept at the principal radiotelephone operating location while the vessel is being navigated. All entries in their original form must be retained on board the vessel for at least 30 days from the date of entry. Additionally, logs required by paragraph (f) of this section must be retained on board the vessel for a period of 2 years from the date of the last inspection of the ship radio station.

(3) Ship radiotelegraph logs must be kept in the principal radiotelegraph operating room during the voyage.

(c) Public coast station logs. Public coast stations must maintain a log, whether by means of written or automatic logging or a combination thereof. The log must contain the following information:

(1) “ON DUTY” must be entered by the operator beginning a duty period, followed in the case of a written log by the operator's signature. “OFF DUTY” must be entered by the operator being relieved of or terminating duty, followed in the case of a written log by the operator's signature.

(2) The date and time of making an entry must be shown opposite the entry.

(3) Failure of equipment to operate as required and incidents tending to unduly delay communication must be entered.

(4) All measurements of the transmitter frequency(ies) must be entered with a statement of any corrective action taken.

(5) Entries must be made giving details of all work performed which may affect the proper operation of the station. The entry must be made, dated and in the case of a written log signed by the operator who supervised or performed the work and, unless the operator is regularly employed on a full-time basis at the station, must also include the mailing address, class, serial number, and expiration date of the operator license.

(6) Entries must be made about the operation of the antenna tower lights when the radio station has an antenna structure requiring illumination by part 17 of this chapter.

(7) All distress or safety related calls transmitted or received must be entered, together with the frequency used and the position of any vessel in need of assistance.

(d) Ship radiotelegraph logs. Logs of ship stations which are compulsorily equipped for radiotelegraphy and operating in the band 90 to 535 kHz must contain log entries as follows:

(1) The date and time of each occurrence or incident required to be entered in the log must be shown opposite the entry and the time must be expressed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

(2) “ON WATCH” must be entered by the operator beginning a watch, followed by the operator's signature. “OFF WATCH” must be entered by the operator being relieved or terminating a watch, followed by the operator's signature. All log entries must be completed by the end of each watch.

(3) During the watch, all calls and replies to and from the station must be entered to include the time, frequencies, and call letters of the station communicated with or heard. Also, any messages exchanged must be entered to include the time, frequency, and call letters of the station(s) communicated with or heard.

(4) All distress calls, automatic-alarm signals, urgency and safety signals made or intercepted, the complete text, if possible, or distress messages and distress communications, and any incidents or occurrences which may appear to be of importance to safety of life or property at sea, must be entered, together with the time of such observation or occurrence and the position of the ship or other mobile unit in need of assistance.

(5) The position of the ship at least once per day.

(6) A daily entry must be made comparing the radio station clock with standard time, including errors observed and corrections made. For this purpose, authentic radio time signals received from land or fixed stations will be acceptable as standard time.

(7) All test transmissions must be entered, including the time of the transmissions and the approximate geographical location of the vessel.

(8) Any failure of equipment to operate as required and any incidents tending to unduly delay communications must be entered.

(e) Ship radiotelephone logs. Logs of ship stations which are compulsorily equipped for radiotelephony must contain the following applicable log entries and the time of their occurrence:

(1) A summary of all distress communications heard, and urgency communications affecting the station's own ship.

(2) A summary of safety communications on other than VHF channels affecting the station's own ship.

(3) An entry that pre-departure equipment checks were satisfactory and that required publications are on hand. Daily entries of satisfactory tests to ensure the continued proper functioning of GMDSS equipment shall be made.

(4) An entry describing any malfunctioning GMDSS equipment and another entry when the equipment is restored to normal operation.

(5) A weekly entry that:

(i) The proper functioning of digital selective calling (DSC) equipment has been verified by actual communications or a test call;

(ii) The batteries or other reserve power sources are functioning properly;

(iii) The portable survival craft radio gear and radar transponders have been tested; and

(iv) The EPIRBs have been inspected.

(6) The time of any inadvertent transmissions of distress, urgency and safety signals including the time and method of cancellation.

(7) At the beginning of each watch, the Officer of the Navigational Watch, or GMDSS Operator on watch, if one is provided, shall ensure that the navigation receiver is functioning properly and is interconnected to all GMDSS alerting devices which do not have integral navigation receivers, including: VHF DSC, MF DSC, satellite EPIRB and HF DSC or INMARSAT SES. On a ship without integral or directly connected navigation receiver input to GMDSS equipment, the Officer of the Navigational Watch, or GMDSS Operator on watch, shall update the embedded position in each equipment. An appropriate log entry of these actions shall be made.

(8) A GMDSS radio log entry shall be made whenever GMDSS equipment is exchanged or replaced (ensuring that ship MMSI identifiers are properly updated in the replacement equipment), when major repairs to GMDSS equipment are accomplished, and when annual GMDSS inspections are conducted.

(9) Results of required equipment tests, including specific gravity of lead-acid storage batteries and voltage reading of other types of batteries provided as a part of the compulsory installation;

(10) Results of inspections and tests of compulsorily fitted lifeboat radio equipment;

(11) A daily statement about the condition of the required radiotelephone equipment, as determined by either normal communication or test communication;

(12) When the master is notified about improperly operating radiotelephone equipment.

(f) Applicable radiotelephone log entries. The log entries listed in paragraph (e) of this section are applicable as follows:

(1) Radiotelephony stations subject to the Communications Act, the Safety Convention, or the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must record entries indicated by paragraphs (e)(1) through (e)(12) of this section. Additionally, the radiotelephone log must provide an easily identifiable, separate section relating to the required inspection of the ship's radio station. Entries must be made in this section giving at least the following information.

(i) For ships that pass the inspection:

(A) The date the inspection was conducted.

(B) The date by which the next inspection needs to completed.

(C) The inspector's printed name, address and class of FCC license (including the serial number).

(D) The results of the inspection, including any repairs made.

(E) The inspector's signed and dated certification that the vessel meets the requirements of the Communications Act and, if applicable, the Safety Convention and the Bridge-to-Bridge Act contained in subparts Q, R, S, U, or W of this part and has successfully passed the inspection.

(F) The vessel owner, operator, or ship's master's certification that the inspection was satisfactory.

(ii) For ships that fail the inspection:

(A) The date the inspection was conducted.

(B) The inspector's printed name, address and class of FCC license (including the serial number).

(C) The reason that the ship did not pass the inspection.

(D) The date and time that the ship's owner, operator or master was notified that the ship failed the inspection.

(2) Radiotelephony stations subject to the Great Lakes Agreement and the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must record entries indicated by paragraphs (e) (1), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (11) and (12) of this section. Additionally, the radiotelephone log must provide an easily identifiable, separate section relating to the required inspection of the ship's radio station. Entries must be made in this section giving at least the following information:

(i) The date the inspection was conducted;

(ii) The date by which the next inspection needs to be completed;

(iii) The inspector's printed name, address and class of FCC license (including the serial number);

(iv) The results of the inspection, including any repairs made;

(v) The inspector's signed and dated certification that the vessel meets the requirements of the Great Lakes Agreement and the Bridge-to-Bridge Act contained in subparts T and U of this part and has successfully passed the inspection; and

(vi) The vessel owner, operator, or ship's master's certification that the inspection was satisfactory.

(3) Radiotelephony stations subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must record entries indicated by paragraphs (e) (1), (5), (6), (7), (11) and (12) of this section.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35245, Sept. 18, 1987; 54 FR 40059, Sept. 29, 1989; 61 FR 25807, May 23, 1996; 63 FR 29659, June 1, 1998; 68 FR 46972, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64676, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) Application. The application procedures for inspection and certification and for exemptions are contained in §80.59.

(b) Posting. Communications Act, Safety Convention and Great Lakes Radio Agreement certificates or exemptions must be posted in a prominent, accessible place in the ship. Ships subject to the Great Lakes Agreement may, in lieu of a posted certificate, certify compliance in the station log required by section 80.409(f).

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 61 FR 25807, May 23, 1996]

(a) The licensee of an on-board station must keep equipment records which show:

(1) The ship name and identification of the on-board station;

(2) The number and type of repeater and mobile units used on-board the vessel; and

(3) The date and type of equipment which is added or removed from the on-board station.

(b) [Reserved]

(a) The following publications listed in the table contained in §80.401 are published by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU):

(1) Manual for Use of the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services.

(2) List IV—List of Coast Stations.

(3) List V—List of Ship Stations.

(4) List VI—List of Radiodetermination and Special Services Stations.

(5) List VII A—Alphabetical List of Call Signs of Stations Used by the Maritime Mobile Service, Ship Station Selective Call Numbers or Signals and Coast Station Identification Numbers or Signals. These publications may be purchased from: International Telecommunication Union, General Secretariat-Sales Section, Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland

(b) The following publications listed in the table contained in §80.401 are available as follows:

(1) IMO GMDSS Master Plan may be purchased from International Maritime Organization (IMO), Publications, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7 SR, United Kingdom; telephone 011 44 71 735 7611.

(2) U.S. NIMA Publication 117 may be purchased from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250–7954, telephone 202–512–1800.

(3) The Admiralty List of Radio Signals, Volume 5—Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, may be purchased from UK Hydrographic Office, Admiralty Way, Tauton, Somerset TA1 2DN, United Kingdom, telephone +44 (0)1823 337900 x3333.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46972, Aug. 7, 2003]

The Commission's printed publications are described in subpart C of part 0 of this chapter. These publications may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The Commission does not furnish copies of these publications but will furnish a price list, Information Services and Publications—Bulletin No. 1, upon request. Requests for copies of this list may be directed to the Consumer Information Bureau, Consumer Information Network Division. Information bulletins and fact sheets containing information about communications issues and the Federal Communications Commission are also available on the Commission's web site at www.fcc.gov or ftp.fcc.gov.

[68 FR 46972, Aug. 7, 2003]

A public coast station license may be granted to any person meeting the citizenship provisions of §80.15(b).

Public coast stations provide ship/shore radiotelephone and radiotelegraph services.

(a) Public coast stations are authorized to communicate:

(1) With any ship or aircraft station operating in the maritime mobile service, for the transmission or reception of safety communication;

(2) With any land station to exchange safety communications to or from a ship or aircraft station;

(3) With Government and non-Government ship and aircraft stations to exchange public correspondence;

(4) With units on land in accordance with §80.123.

(b) Public coast stations are authorized to communicate with a designated station at a remote fixed location where other communication facilities are not available.

(c) Public coast stations are authorized to transmit meteorological and navigational information of benefit to mariners.

(d) Each public coast telegraphy station is authorized to communicate with other public coast telegraphy stations to exchange message traffic destined to or originated at mobile stations:

(1) To exchange operating signals, brief service messages or safety communication;

(2) To exchange message traffic destined for a mobile station when the coast station initially concerned is unable to communicate directly with the mobile station;

(3) In the Great Lakes region, to exchange message traffic originated at a mobile station when the use of available point-to-point communication facilities would delay the delivery of such message traffic;

(4) Utilization of radiotelegraphy must not incur additional charges or replace available point-to-point communication facilities;

(5) Only authorized working frequencies within the band 415 kHz to 5000 kHz must be employed for communications between coast stations;

(6) Harmful interference must not be caused to communication between mobile stations and coast stations or between mobile stations.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 62 FR 40307, July 28, 1997

(a) The frequencies designated in §§80.355 and 80.357 may be licensed for use by coast stations employing telegraphy.

(b) [Reserved]

Subpart H of this part lists frequencies assignable for DSC.

Subpart H of this part lists the frequencies assignable to public coast stations for operations with ship stations. Operating procedures are listed in subpart C of this part.

Subpart H of this part lists the frequencies available for assignment to public coast stations for telephony operations.

No duplication of service areas as determined by subpart P of this part will be permitted by public coast stations operating on the same VHF public correspondence channel. Within the service area of a station, the ratio of desired to undesired co-channel signal strengths on public correspondence channels must be at least 12dB.

(a) Maritime mobile repeater stations are authorized to extend the range of communication between a VHF public coast station located in Alaska and ship stations.

(b) On a secondary basis, maritime mobile repeater stations may be authorized to extend the range of a private coast station:

(1) In an area where VHF common carrier service is not available;

(2) A maritime mobile repeater station license expires 60 days after a public coast station in the area begins service.

(c) Maritime mobile repeater stations may not be authorized in cases where operational fixed frequencies can be employed.

(d) The provisions relating to duplication of service described in subpart P apply to maritime mobile repeater stations.

(e) The frequencies 157.275 and 161.875 MHz are assignable to maritime mobile repeater stations.

(f) Each maritime mobile repeater station must:

(1) Deactivate automatically within 5 seconds after the signals controlling the station cease; and

(2) During periods when it is not controlled from a manned control point, deactivate automatically not more than 20 minutes after its activation by a mobile unit.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998]

Except as specified in §20.15(b)(3) of this chapter with respect to commercial mobile radio service providers, a public coast station must not discontinue or impair service unless authorized to do so by the Commission.

[69 FR 64676, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) A separate Form 601 is not required for each coast station in a system. However, except as provided in §80.385(b) and paragraph (b) of this section, the applicant must provide the technical characteristics for each proposed coast station, including transmitter type, operating frequencies, emissions, transmitter output power, antenna arrangement, and location.

(1) Applicants proposing to locate a coast station transmitter within 169 kilometers (105 miles) of a channel 13 TV station or within 129 kilometers (80 miles) of a channel 10 TV station or with an antenna height greater than 61 meters (200 feet), must submit an engineering study clearly showing the means of avoiding interference with television reception within the grade B contour, see §80.215(h) of this chapter, unless the proposed station's predicted interference contour is fully encompassed by the composite interference contour of the applicant's existing system, or the proposed station's predicted interference contour extends the system's composite interference contour over water only (disregarding uninhabited islands).

(2) Additionally, applicants required to submit the above specified must give written notice of the filing of such applications(s) to the television stations which may be affected. A list of the notified television stations must be submitted with the subject applications.

(b) Coast stations for which the above specified need not be submitted because the proposed station's predicted interference contour is fully encompassed by the composite interference contour of the applicant's existing system or the proposed station's predicted interference contour extends the system's composite interference contour over water only (disregarding uninhabited islands) must, at least 15 days before the station is put into operation, give written notice to the television stations which may be affected of the proposed station's technical characteristics, the date it will be put into operation, and the licensee's representative (name and phone number) to contact in the event a television station experiences interference. No prior FCC authorization is required to construct and operate such a station, but, at the time the station is added, the AMTS licensee must make a record of the technical and administrative information concerning the station and, upon request, supply such information to the FCC. In addition, when the station is added, the AMTS licensee must send notification of the station's location to the American Radio Relay League, Inc., 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111–1494, and Interactive Systems, Inc., Suite 1103, 1601 North Kent Street, Arlington, VA 22209.

(c) In lieu of public correspondence service an AMTS system may provide private coast station communications related to the operational requirements of ships including transmissions of fuel, weather, position and supply reports. However, such communications may be provided only to ship stations whose licensees make cooperative arrangements with the AMTS coast station licensees. In emergency and distress situations, services must be provided without prior arrangements.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35245, Sept. 18, 1987; 56 FR 3783, Jan. 31, 1991; 65 FR 77826, Dec. 13, 2000; 67 FR 48567, July 25, 2002; 69 FR 19948, Apr. 15, 2004]

(a) AMTS coast stations may communicate with fixed platform stations located in the offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico, with ship stations, and with land units in accordance with §80.123.

(b) AMTS licensees in the offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico may use AMTS coast and ship station frequencies on a secondary basis for fixed service communications to support offshore AMTS operations.

(c) AMTS service may be provided to any vessel within communication service range of an AMTS station even though the vessel may not be operating within the confines of a served waterway.

(d) AMTS licensees may use AMTS coast and ship frequencies on a secondary basis for fixed service communications to support AMTS deployment in remote fixed locations at which other communications facilities are not available.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35245, Sept. 18, 1987; 62 FR 40307, July 28, 1997; 65 FR 77827, Dec. 13, 2000]

(a) The frequencies assignable to AMTS stations are listed in subpart H of this part. These frequencies are assignable to ship and public coast stations for public correspondence communications.

(b) The transmissions from a station of an AMTS geographic area licensee may not exceed a predicted 38 dBu field strength at the geographic area border, unless all affected co-channel geographic area licensees agree to the higher field strength. The predicted 38 dBu field strength is calculated using the F(50, 50) field strength chart for Channels 7 through 13 in §73.699 (Fig. 10) of this chapter, with a 9 dB correction factor for antenna height differential. Geographic area licensees must coordinate to minimize interference at or near their geographic area borders, and must cooperate to resolve any instances of interference in accordance with the provisions of §80.70(a).

(c) AMTS frequencies may be used for mobile-to-mobile communications if written consent is obtained from all affected licensees.

[67 FR 48567, July 25, 2002]

In lieu of the technical parameters set forth in this part, AMTS transmitters may utilize any modulation or channelization scheme so long as emissions are attenuated in accordance with §80.211 at the band edges of each station's assigned channel group or groups.

[65 FR 77827, Dec. 13, 2000]

(a) A private coast station or a marine utility station may be granted only to a person who is:

(1) Regularly engaged in the operation, docking, direction, construction, repair, servicing or management of one or more commercial transport vessels or United States, state or local government vessels; or is

(2) Responsible for the operation, control, maintenance or development of a harbor, port or waterway used by commercial transport vessels; or is

(3) Engaged in furnishing a ship arrival and departure service, and will employ the station only for the purpose of obtaining the information essential to that service; or is

(4) A corporation proposing to furnish a nonprofit radio communication service to its parent corporation, to another subsidiary of the same parent, or to its own subsidiary where the party to be served performs any of the eligibility activities described in this section; or is

(5) A nonprofit corporation or association, organized to furnish a maritime mobile service solely to persons who operate one or more commercial transport vessels; or is

(6) Responsible for the operation of bridges, structures or other installations that area part of, or directly related to, a harbor, port or waterway when the operation of such facilities requires radio communications with vessels for safety or navigation; or is

(7) A person controlling public moorage facilities; or is

(8) A person servicing or supplying vessels other than commercial transport vessels; or is

(9) An organized yacht club with moorage facilities; or is

(10) A nonprofit organization providing noncommercial communications to vessels other than commercial transport vessels.

(b) Each application for station authorization for a private coast station or a marine utility station must be accompanied by a statement indicating eligibility under paragraph (a) of this section.

(a) A person engaged in the operation of one or more commercial transport vessels or government vessels may receive maritime mobile service from a private coast station or a marine utility station on shore even though not the licensee of the private coast station or the marine utility station. Restrictions on cooperative arrangements are as follows:

(1) Foreign persons must be the licensees of the radio stations installed on board their vessels.

(2) The licensee of a private coast station or marine utility station on shore may install ship radio stations on board United States commercial transport vessels of other persons. In each case these persons must enter into a written agreement verifying that the ship station licensee has the sole right of control of the ship stations, that the vessel operators must use the ship stations subject to the orders and instructions of the coast station or marine utility station on shore, and that the ship station licensee will have sufficient control of the ship station to enable it to carry out its responsibilities under the ship station license.

(b) Cooperative arrangements are limited concerning cost and charges as follows:

(1) The arrangement must be established on a non-profit, cost-sharing basis by written contract. A copy of the contract must be kept with the station records and made available for inspection by Commission representatives.

(2) Contributions to capital and operating expenses are to be prorated on an equitable basis among all persons who are parties to the cooperative arrangement. Records which reflect the cost of the service and its nonprofit, cost-sharing nature must be maintained by the licensee of the station and made available for inspection by Commission representatives.

(a) Private coast stations and marine utility stations are authorized to communicate:

(1) With any mobile station in the maritime mobile service for the exchange of safety communications;

(2) With any land station for the purpose of aiding the exchange of safety communications;

(3) With ship stations.

(b) Private coast stations of the same licensee may be authorized to communicate on a secondary basis between themselves if:

(1) The communications are confined exclusively to those for which authority has been granted the coast station, and concerns ships with which one or both of the coast stations are authorized to communicate; and

(2) Other satisfactory point-to-point communication facilities between the coast stations are unavailable; and

(3) Coast stations which communicate with each other are not more than 160 km (100 miles) apart; and

(4) Harmful interference is not cause to mobile stations.

(c) A private coast station and associated marine utility stations serving and located on a shipyard regularly engaged in construction or repair of commercial transport vessels or Government vessels are authorize to communicate between stations when they are licensed to the same entity and communications are limited to serving the needs of ships on a non-interference basis to other stations in the maritime mobile service. A separate showing is required.

(a) A private coast station or marine utility station using telephony serves the operational and business needs of ships including the transmission of safety communication.

(b) In areas where environmental communications are provided by U.S. Government stations or by public coast stations, private coast stations and marine utility stations on shore must not duplicate that service. In other areas, private coast stations and marine utility stations on shore may transmit weather and hydrographic information required for the ships with which they normally communicate. Private coast stations may provide environmental communication service in areas where adequate service is not available.

(c) Each marine utility station on shore must be operated as a private coast station except that it may be operated at temporary unspecified locations. Marine utility stations on ships are operated as ship stations.

(d) Each private coast station is authorized by rule to use hand-held marine radios in the vicinity of the station's fixed transmitter site on those frequencies assigned to the private coast station. Hand-held communications must conform to those normally permitted under a marine utility station authorization and must be limited to contact with the associated private coast station and ship stations in the vicinity of the private coast station.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 62 FR 40307, July 28, 1997]

Frequencies assignable to private coast stations and marine utility stations are listed in subpart H.

(a) Only one port operation, one commercial and one non-commerical frequency will be assigned to a private coast station or marine utility station. Applications for authority to use more than one frequency in any one of the above three categories must include a showing of need as specified below.

(b) An application for an additional frequency by a person who services vessels, must include a description of the vessels with which communication is planned and a statement that the applicant has personal knowledge that the ship radio stations are not capable of operating on working frequencies already assigned to the coast station.

(c) An applicant for an additional frequency based on congestion of the assigned frequency may be asked by the Commission to show that for any four periods of five consecutive days each, in the preceding six months, the assigned frequency was in use at least twenty-five percent of the time during three hours of daily peak activity.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998]

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section each application for a new VHF private coast station license or modification of an existing license to be located in an area having a recognized frequency coordinating committee must be accompanied by:

(1) A report based on a field study, indicating the degree of probable interference to existing stations operating in the same area. The applicant must consider all stations operating on the working frequency or frequencies requested or assigned within 80 km (50 miles) of the proposed station location, and

(2) The report must include a statement that all existing licensees on the frequency within 80 km (50 miles) and the frequency coordinating committee have been notified of the applicant's intention to file an application. The notice of intention to file must provide the licensees concerned and the advisory committee with the following information: The frequency and emission; transmitter location and power; and the antenna height proposed by the applicant.

(b) Applications for modification need not be accompanied by the field study where the modification does not involve any change in frequency(ies), power, emission, antenna height, antenna location or area of operation.

(c)(1) In lieu of the field study, the applicant may acquire a statement from a frequency coordinating committee. The applicant must certify on the application concerning the recommendations of the coordinating committee. The committee must comment on the requested frequency or the proposed changes in the authorized station and give an opinion regarding the probable interference to existing stations. The committee must consider all stations operating on the requested frequency within 80 km (50 miles) of the proposed station location. The frequency coordinating committee statement must also recommend a frequency which will result in the least amount of interference to proposed and existing stations. Committee recommendations may also include comments on technical factors and may recommend restrictions to minimize interference.

(2) A frequency coordinating committee must be representative of all persons who are eligible for VHF private coast stations within the service area of the recognized frequency coordinating committee. A statement of organization, service area and composition of the committee must be submitted to the Commission for approval. The functions of any coordinating committee are purely advisory to the applicant and the Commission. Its recommendations are not binding upon either the applicant or the Commission.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998]

This section contains the names of organizations that have been recognized by the Commission to serve as marine VHF frequency coordinating committees for their respective areas.

(a) The Southern California Marine Radio Council serves the California counties of Santa Barbara, Kern, San Bernardino, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial and the Channel Islands.

(b) The North Pacific Marine Radio Council serves the following counties in the State of Washington: Clallam, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom.

[52 FR 35246, Sept. 18, 1987, as amended at 56 FR 6583, Feb. 19, 1991; 60 FR 50122, Sept. 28, 1995; 63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998]

A private coast station or marine utility station using telephony must:

(a) Not be used for public correspondence;

(b) Not be used to transmit program material for radio broadcasting; and

(c) Not be used to transmit press material or news items which are not required to serve the needs of ships.

All communication engaged in by private coast stations and marine utility stations must be limited to the minimum practicable transmission time. Each station licensee must employ standardized operating practices and procedures.

(a) Stations must identify transmissions by announcing in the English language the station's assigned call sign. In lieu of the identification of the station by voice, the official call sign may be transmitted by tone-modulated telegraphy in international Morse Code manually or by means of an automatic device approved by the Commission. Transmissions on the navigation frequency (156.650 MHz) by stations on drawbridges may be identified by use of the name of the bridge in lieu of the call sign. Identification must be made:

(1) At the beginning and end of each exchange of communications and;

(2) At intervals not exceeding 15 minutes whenever transmissions or communications are sustained for more than 15 minutes.

(b) Marine utility stations, private coast stations, and associated hand-held radios, when exchanging communications, may be identified by a unit identifier in lieu of the call sign. Identification by transmission of the assigned call sign must be at the end of the exchange or at least once every 15 minutes.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 62 FR 40308, July 28, 1997]

This subpart contains rules applicable to operational fixed stations.

An applicant for an operational fixed station must certify that:

(a) The applicant is the licensee of a coast station;

(b) Other suitable telecommunications facilities are not available to satisfy coast station requirements.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998]

An operational fixed station provides control, repeater or relay functions for its associated coast station.

The specific frequencies for these stations are listed in subpart H of this part.

Operational fixed stations are subject to the following licensing limitations:

(a) A maximum of four frequencies will be assigned.

(b) Stations will not be authorized when applications indicate less than 16 km (10 miles) separation between a proposed station and a TV transmitter operating on either Channel 4 or 5, or from the post office of a community in which either channel is assigned but not in operation.

(c) Stations located between 16 km (10 miles) and 128 km (80 miles) of a TV transmitter operating on either Channel 4 or 5, or from the post office of a community in which either channel is assigned but not in operation, are secondary to TV operations within the Grade B service contour.¹

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986; 51 FR 34984, Oct. 1, 1986; as amended at 54 FR 40059, Sept. 29, 1989]

Stations on land in the Maritime Radiodetermination Service provide a radionavigation or radiolocation service for ships.

The frequencies available for assignment to shore radionavigation/radiolocation stations are contained in subpart H of this part.

(a) Radionavigation coast stations operated to provide information to aid in the movement of any ship are private aids to navigation. Before submitting an application for a radionavigation station, an applicant must obtain written permission from the cognizant Coast Guard District Commander at the area in which the device will be located. The Commission may request an applicant to provide documentation as to this fact. Note: Surveillance radar coast stations do not require U.S. Coast Guard approval.

(b) Coast station transponders (i.e., radar beacons, or racons) operating in the band 2900–3100 or 9300–9500 MHz shall meet the requirements of ITU-R Recommendation M.824–2, “Technical Parameters of Radar Beacons (RACONS),” with Annexes, 1995. Applications for certification of these transponders must include a description of the technical characteristics of the equipment including the scheme of interrogation and the characteristics of the transponder response, and test results demonstrating the device meets each applicable requirement of this ITU-R recommendation. ITU-R Recommendation M.824–2 with Annexes is incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of this standard can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendation can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

(c) The use of ship station transponders in the band 2900–3100 or 9300–9500 MHz other than those described in §80.1065(a)(3) and §80.1095(b) is prohibited.

[52 FR 7419, Mar. 11, 1987, as amended at 63 FR 36607, July 27, 1998; 63 FR 68956, Dec. 14, 1998; 68 FR 46972, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) An applicant for a maritime support station must demonstrate a requirement for training personnel associated with the maritime service or for the testing, demonstration or maintenance of ship or coast radio equipment.

(b) [Reserved]

(a) Maritime support stations are land stations authorized to operate at permanent locations or temporary unspecified locations.

(b) Maritime support stations are authorized to conduct the following operations:

(1) Training of personnel in maritime telecommunications;

(2) Transmissions necessary for the test and maintenance of maritime radio equipment at repair shops and at temporary unspecified locations;

(3) Transmissions necessary to test the technical performance of the licensee's public coast station(s) radiotelephone receiver(s); and

(4) Transmissions necessary for radar/racon equipment demonstration.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 62 FR 40308, July 28, 1997]

(a) The frequencies available for assignment to maritime support stations are described or listed in:

(1) Section 80.373 for scope of communications described in §80.653(b)(1);

(2) Sections 80.373 and 80.385 for scope of communications described in §80.653(b)(2); and

(3) Section 80.389 for scope of communications described in §80.653 (b)(3) and (4).

(b) Frequencies must be used only on a secondary, non-interference basis to operational maritime communications.

(c) Use of frequencies assigned to services other than the maritime radiolocation service is limited to one hour per twenty four hour period.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 52 FR 35245, Sept. 18, 1987]

The authorized frequency tolerance, class of emission, bandwidth, and transmitter power for maritime support stations are contained in subpart E of this part under the category associated with the intended use except for power limitations imposed upon stations operating within the scope of §80.653(b)(3), which are further limited by the provisions of §80.215(f).

There are two classes of Alaska Fixed stations. Alaska-public fixed stations are common carriers, open to public correspondence, which operate on the paired duplex channels listed in subpart H of this part. Alaska-private fixed stations may operate on simplex frequencies listed in subpart H of this part to communicate with other Alaska private fixed stations or with ship stations, and on duplex frequencies listed in subpart H of this part when communicating with the Alaska-public fixed stations. Alaska-private fixed stations must not charge for service, although third party traffic may be transmitted. Only Alaska-public fixed stations are authorized to charge for communication services.

Alaska-public fixed stations, when operating on an authorized carrier frequency which is also used by the maritime mobile service, must give priority to distress, urgency or safety signals, or to any communication preceded by one of these signals.

Each Alaska-public fixed station whose hours of service are not continuous must not suspend operations before having concluded all communications of an emergency nature.

(a) Only one Alaska-public fixed station will be authorized to serve any area whose point-to-point communication needs can be adequately served by a single radio communication facility.

(b) Each radio channel authorized for use by an Alaska-private fixed station is available on a shared basis only. All station licensees must cooperate in the use of their respective frequency assignments to minimize interference.

Frequencies assignable to Alaska fixed stations are listed in subpart H of this part.

Alaska-public fixed stations may be authorized to use frequencies assigned to U.S. Government radio stations for communications with Government stations or for coordination of Government activities.

This subpart specifies receiver antenna terminal requirements in terms of power, and relates the power available at the receiver antenna terminals to transmitter power and antenna height and gain. It also sets forth the co-channel interference protection that VHF public coast station geographic area licensees must provide to incumbents and to other VHF public coast station geographic area licensees.

[64 FR 26887, May 18, 1999]

(a) The requirements for reception by a marine VHF shipboard receiver are satisfied if the field strength from the coast station, calculated in accordance with §80.771 is at least +17 dBu above one microvolt.

(b) These field strengths, voltages and powers at the receiver input are equivalent:

(1) −132 dBW (decibels referred to 1 watt).

(2) 1.8 microvolts across 50 ohms.

(3) +17 dBu (decibels referred to 1 microvolt per meter).

(4) 7 microvolts per meter.

Applications for maritime frequencies in the 156–162 MHz band must include a map showing the proposed service area contour. The service area contour must be computed in accordance with the following procedures.

(a) In the preparation of profile graphs and in determining the location and height above sea level of the antenna site, the elevations or contour intervals must be taken from U.S. Geological Survey topographic quadrangle maps, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maps or Tennessee Valley Authority maps, whichever is the latest, for all areas for which maps are available. If such maps are not published for the area in question, the next best topographic information must be used. The maps used must include the principal area to be served. U.S. Geological Survey topographic quadrangle maps may be obtained from the Eastern Distribution Branch, U.S. Geological Survey, 1200 South Eads Street, Arlington, VA 22202, for maps of areas east of the Mississippi River, including Minnesota, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and from the Western Distribution Branch, U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Center, Denver CO 80225, for maps of areas west of the Mississippi River, including Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Guam and American Samoa. Sectional aeronautical charts are available from the Distribution Division, National Ocean Service, Riverdale, MD 20840.

(b) In lieu of maps, the average terrain elevation may be computer generated, using elevations from a 30 second point or better topographic data file such as those available for the U.S. Geological Survey's National Geographic Information Center or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Geophysical Data Center. In case of dispute maps will be used to determine the correct value.

(a)(1) Draw radials from the antenna site for each 45 degrees of azimuth starting with true north. Any such radial which extends entirely over land from the antenna site to the point of +17 dBu field strength need not be drawn.

(2) If the distance from the antenna site to the point of +17 dBu field strength between any of the 45 degrees radials would be less than the distances calculated along these radials, an additional radial between such adjacent radials must be plotted and calculations made in each case. Each additional radial must be that radial along which it appears by inspection that transmission loss would be greatest.

(b) Draw a circle of 16 km (10 statute mile) radius using the antenna site as the center. Divide each radial into 320 meter (0.2 statute mile) increments inside the circumference to the 3.2 km (2 statute mile) point.

(c) Calculate the height above sea level of each 320 meter (0.2 statute mile) division by interpolating the contour intervals of the map, and record the value.

(d) Average the values by adding them and dividing by the number of readings along each radial.

(e) Calculate the height above average terrain by averaging the values calculated for each radial.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 44953, Aug. 25, 1993]

The following graphs must be employed where conversion from one to the other of the indicated types of units is required.

(a) Graph 1. To convert effective radiated power in watts to dBk or to dBW, find the power in watts on the horizontal axis. Move vertically along the line representing the power to the diagonal line. Move horizontally from the diagonal to the right side to read dBW and to the left to read dBk.

(b) Graph 2. To convert microvolts across 50 ohms to received power in dBW, find the signal in microvolts on the horizontal axis. Move vertically to the diagonal line, then move right horizontally to read dBW.

(c) Graph 3. To convert received power in dBW to field intensity in dBu find the received power in dBW on the horizontal axis. Move vertically to the diagonal line, then move right horizontally to read dBu.

The effective height of the antenna is the vertical distance between the center of the radiating system above the mean sea level and the average terrain elevation.

Effective radiated power is used in computing the service area contour. The effective radiated power is derived from the transmitter output power, loss in the transmission system including duplexers, cavities, circulators, switches and filters, and the gain relative to a half-wave dipole of the antenna system.

The propagation graph, §80.767 Graph 1, must be used in computing the service area contour. The graph provides data for field strengths in dBu for an effective radiated power of 1 kW, over sea water, fresh water or land (smooth earth); transmitting antena heights of 4,800, 3,200, 1,600, 800, 400, 200, and 100 feet; based on a receiving antenna height of 9 meters (30 feet), for the 156–162 MHz band. The use of this is described in this section.

(a) Calculate the effective radiated power of the coast station, Ps in dB referred to 1 kW (dBk), as follows:

where,

Notes: 1. To determine field strengths where the distance is known, for effective radiated powers other than 1kW (0 dBk): Enter the graph from the “statute miles” scale at the known distance, read up to intersection with the curve for the antenna height, read left to the “dBu for 1 kW radiated” scale and note the referenced field strength (Fe). The value of the actual field strength (F) in dBu will be F=Fe+Ps where Ps is the effective radiated power calculated above.

(b) Determine the antenna height. For antenna heights between the heights for which this graph is drawn, use linear interpolation; assume linear height-gain for antennas higher than 4,800 feet.

(c) For receiver antenna heights lower than 9 meters (30 feet), assume that the field strength is the same as at 9 meters (30 feet).

(d) Assume that propagation over fresh water or over land is the same as that over sea water.

Where the transmission path is obstructed the received signal must be adjusted to include shadow loss. Attenuation due to shadowing must be taken from §80.769 Graph 1, as follows:

(a) Inspect the map(s) to determine if a hill(s) obstructs an imaginary line of sight (dashed line on illustrative profiles of §80.769 Graph 1 from the average terrain elevation at the coast station antenna to the water level at the ship location. If average terrain elevation exceeds the actual ground elevation at the antenna site, the latter elevation must be used as the average terrain elevation.

(b) If a hill appears to obstruct the radio path, plot the antenna site elevation, the obstruction elevation and the height of the ship station on rectangular coordinate paper using elevation above mean sea level as the vertical scale and distance in statute miles as the horizontal scale. Then draw a straight line between the antenna and the ship.

(c) If a hill obstructs the imaginary line of sight, determine its height (H) above the imaginary line and its distance (D) from either the coast or ship station, whichever is nearer, as illustrated by examples “A” and “B” on Graph 1.

(d) Read the shadow loss from this Graph 1 and subtract that loss from the computed received signal.

(e) Where more than one hill obstructs the transmission path, determine the height and position of a single equivalent hill, as illustrated by example “C” on this graph. Read the shadow loss from this graph for the equivalent hill.

Compute the +17 dBu contour as follows:

(a) Determine the effective antenna height above mean sea level according to the procedures in §§80.757–80.761.

(b) Determine the effective radiated power according to §80,765. Determine for each radial the distance from the antenna site to the +17 dBu point of field strength using procedures of §§80.765 and 80.767.

(c) Plot on a suitable map each point of +17 dBu field strength for all radials and draw the contour by connecting the adjacent points by a smooth curve.

(a) Where a VHF public coast station geographic area licensee shares a frequency with an incumbent VHF public coast station licensee, the ratio of desired to undesired signal strengths must be at least 12 dB within the service area of the station.

(b) Where a VHF public coast station geographic area licensee shares a frequency with an incumbent private land mobile radio licensee, the VHF public coast station geographic area licensee must provide at least 10 dB protection to the PLMR incumbent's predicted 38 dBu signal level contour. The PLMR incumbent's predicted 38 dBu signal level contour is calculated using the F(50, 50) field strength chart for Channels 7–13 in §73.699 (Fig. 10a) of this chapter, with a 9 dB correction factor for antenna height differential, and is based on the licensee's authorized effective radiated power and antenna height-above-average-terrain.

(c) VHF public coast station geographic area licensees are prohibited from exceeding a field strength of +5 dBu (decibels referenced to 1 microvolt per meter) at their service area boundaries, unless all the affected VHF public coast station geographic area licensees agree to the higher field strength.

[63 FR 40065, July 27, 1998, as amended at 64 FR 26887, May 18, 1999]

The radiotelephone requirements of this subpart are applicable to all compulsory ships which are not required to comply with subpart W of this part in total or in part because they have received an exemption from all or some of the subpart W provisions.

[68 FR 46973, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The radiotelephone station is a radiotelephone installation and other equipment necessary for the proper operation of the installation.

(b) The radiotelephone station must be installed to insure safe and effective operation of the equipment and to facilitate repair. Adequate protection must be provided against the effects of vibration, moisture, and temperature.

(c) The radiotelephone station and all necessary controls must be located at the level of the main wheelhouse or at least one deck above the ship's main deck.

(d) The principal operating position of the radiotelephone station must be in the room from which the ship is normally steered while at sea. In installations on cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upwards but less than 500 gross tons on which the keel was laid prior to January 1, 1965, the location of the principal operating controls may be in a room adjoining and opening into the room from which the vessel is normally steered while at sea. If the station can be operated from any location other than the principal operating position, a positive means must be provided at the principal operating position to take full control of the station.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46973, Aug. 7, 2003]

The radiotelephone installation includes:

(a) A radiotelephone transmitter;

(b) A receiver as specified in §80.858(a);

(c) A radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver specified in §80.269;

(d) A main source of energy;

(e) A reserve source of energy, when required by §80.860(a);

(f) An antenna system.

(a) The transmitter must be capable of transmission of H3E and J3E emission on 2182 kHz, and J3E emission on 2638 kHz and at least two other frequencies within the band 1605 to 3500 kHz available for ship-to-shore or ship-to-ship communication.

(b) The duty cycle of the transmitter must permit transmission of the international radiotelephone alarm signal.

(c) The transmitter must be capable of transmitting clearly perceptible signals from ship to ship during daytime under normal conditions over a range of 150 nautical miles.

(d) The transmitter complies with the range requirement specified in paragraph (c) of this section if:

(1) The transmitter is capable of being matched to actual ship station transmitting antenna meeting the requirements of §80.863; and

(2) The output power is not less than 60 watts peak envelope power for H3E and J3E emission on the frequency 2182 kHz and for J3E emission on the frequency 2638 kHz into either an artificial antenna consisting of a series network of 10 ohms resistance and 200 picofarads capacitance, or an artificial antenna of 50 ohms nominal impedance. An individual demonstration of the power output capability of the transmitter, with the radiotelephone installation normally installed on board ship, may be required.

(e) The transmitter must provide visual indication whenever the transmitter is supplying power to the antenna.

(f) The transmitter must be protected from excessive currents and voltages.

(g) A durable nameplate must be mounted on the transmitter or made an integral part of it showing clearly the name of the transmitter manufacturer and the type or model of the transmitter.

(h) An artificial antenna must be provided to permit weekly checks of the automatic device for generating the radiotelephone alarm signal on frequencies other than the radiotelephone distress frequency.

(a) The receiver required by §80.854(a) of this part must be capable of reception of H3E and J3E emissions on the radiotelephone distress frequency. The receiver must be capable of reception of J3E emissions on 2638 kHz and the receiving frequencies associated with the transmitting frequencies authorized pursuant to §80.855(a).

(b) In addition to the receiver required by paragraph (a) of this section, a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver meeting the technical standards of §80.269 must be provided.

(c) One or more loudspeakers capable of being used to maintain the distress frequency (2182 kHz) watch at the principal operating position and at any other place where the listening watch is performed must be provided.

(d) The receiver required by paragraph (a) of the section must:

(1) Have a sensitivity of 50 microvolts;

(2) Be capable of operation when energized by the main source of energy, and by the reserve source of energy if a reserve source is required by §80.860(a);

(3) Be protected from excessive currents and voltages;

(4) Be provided with a nameplate showing the name of the receiver manufacturer and the type or model.

(e) The sensitivity of a receiver is the strength in microvolts of a signal, modulated 30 percent at 400 cycles per second, required at the receiver input to produce an audio output of 50 milliwatts to the loudspeaker with a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 6 decibels. Evidence of a manufacturer's rating or a demonstration of the sensitivity of a required receiver computed on this basis must be furnished upon request of a Commission representative.

(a) The main power supply must simultaneously energize the radiotelephone transmitter at its required antenna power and the required receivers. Under this load condition the voltage of the main power supply at the radiotelephone input terminals must not deviate from its rated potential by more than 10 percent on ships completed on or after July 1, 1941, nor by more than 15 percent on ships completed before that date.

(b) Means must be provided for charging any batteries used as a main power supply. A continuous indication of the rate and polarity of the charging current must be provided during charging of the batteries.

(a) When the main power supply is not on the same deck as the main wheelhouse or at least one deck above the vessel's main deck, a reserve power supply must be provided and must be so situated. The location of the reserve power supply must be located as near to the required transmitter and receivers as practicable and meet all applicable rules and regulations of the United States Coast Guard.

(b) The reserve power supply must be independent of the propelling power of the ship and of any other electrical system, and must simultaneously energize the radiotelephone transmitter at its required antenna power, the required receivers, the emergency light and the automatic radiotelephone alarm signal generator. The reserve power supply must be available at all times.

(c) The reserve power supply may be used to energize the bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone and the VHF radiotelephone installation required by §80.871.

(d) All circuits connected to the reserve power supply must be protected from overloads.

(e) Means must be provided for charging any batteries used as a reserve power supply. A continuous indication of the rate and polarity of the charging current during charging of the batteries must be provided.

(f) The cooling system of each internal combustion engine used as a part of the reserve power supply must be adequately treated to prevent freezing or overheating consistent with the season and route to be traveled by the particular vessel involved.

(g) The reserve power supply must be available within 1 minute.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986; 52 FR 35246, Sept. 18, 1987]

If the main power supply or the reserve power supply provided for the purpose of complying with §§80.859 and 80.860 consists of batteries, the batteries must have sufficient reserve capacity available at all times while the vessel is leaving or attempting to leave a harbor or port for a voyage in the open sea, and while being navigated in the open sea outside of a harbor or port, to permit operation of the radiotelephone transmitter and the required receivers for at least 6 hours continuously under normal working conditions.

(a) When directed by the Commission or its authorized representative, the station licensee must prove that the requirements of §80.861 are met.

(b) Proof of the ability of a battery used as a main or reserve source to operate continuously for 6 hours can be established by a discharge test over a prescribed period of time, when supplying power at the voltage required for normal and operation to an electrical load as prescribed by paragraph (d) of this section.

(c) When the reserve power supply is an engine-driven generator, proof of the adequacy of the engine fuel supply to operate the unit contiuously for 6 hours can be established by measuring the fuel consumption for 1 hour when supplying power, at the voltage required for normal operation, to an electrical load as prescribed by paragraph (d) of this section.

(d) In determining the electrical load to be supplied, the following formula must be used:

(1) One-half of the current of the required transmitter at its rated power output.

(2) One fourth of the current of the automatic radiotelephone alarm signal generator; plus

(3) Current of receiver; plus

(4) Current of emergency light(s); plus

(5) Current of the bridge-to-bridge transceiver when connected.

(e) At the conclusion of the test specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, no part of the main or reserve power supply must have an excessive temperature rise, nor must the specific gravity or voltage of any battery be below 90 percent discharge point of the fully charged value.

(a) An antenna system must be installed which is as nondirectional and as efficient as is practicable for the transmission and reception of radio ground waves over seawater. The installation and construction of the required antenna must insure operation in time of emergency.

(b) If the required antenna is suspended between masts or other supports liable to whipping, a safety link which, under heavy stress, will operate to greatly reduce such stress without breakage of the antenna, the halyards, or other antenna-supporting elements, must be installed.

(c) When an electrical ground connection is used as an element of the antenna system, the connection must be efficient.

(a) Emergency electric light(s) must be installed to illuminate the operating controls of the radiotelephone installation at the principal operating position, the card of instructions, and the radiotelephone station clock if the latter is not self-illuminated.

(b) The emergency electric light(s) must be energized from the reserve power supply, if a reserve power supply is required. In cases where a reserve power supply is not required, the emergency lights must be energized independently of the system which supplies the normal lighting.

A clock having a face of at least 12.7 cm (5 in.) in diameter must be mounted in a position that can be observed from the principal operating position.

[58 FR 44953, Aug. 25, 1993]

A spare transmitting antenna completely assembled for immediate erection must be provided. If the installed transmitting antenna is suspended between supports, this spare antenna must be a single-wire transmitting antenna of the same length and must also include suitable insulators.

(a) Each ship station must be provided with such tools, testing equipment, instruction books and circuit diagrams to enable the radiotelephone installation to be maintained in efficient working condition while at sea. Each ship station licensee must compile a list of spare parts, tools, test equipment and circuit diagrams it considers necessary for compliance with this requirement. This list must be available at inspection. The Commission may consider equipment manufacturer lists of recommended spare parts, tools, test equipment, and repair circuit diagrams in determining compliance with this subsection. These items must be located convenient to the radio room.

(b) The testing equipment must include an instrument or instruments for measuring A.C. volts, D.C. volts and ohms.

A card of instructions giving a clear summary of the radiotelephone distress procedure must be securely mounted and displayed in full view of the principal operating position.

Unless the normal use of the required radiotelephone station demonstrates that the equipment is operating, a test communication on a required or working frequency must be made each day the ship is navigated. When this test is performed by a person other than the master and the equipment is found to be defective the master must be promptly notified.

(a) All passenger ships irrespective of size and all cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upwards subject to part II of title III of the Communications Act or to the Safety Convention are required to carry a VHF radiotelephone station complying with this subpart. Ships subject only to the Communications Act may use a VHF radiotelephone installation meeting the technical standards of the Bridge-to-Bridge Act to satisfy the watch requirements of §80.305(a)(3) if the equipment can transmit and receive on 156.800 MHz.

(b) The VHF radiotelephone station must be installed to insure safe and effective operation of the equipment and facilitate repair. It must be protected against vibration, moisture and temperature.

(c) The principal operating position of the radiotelephone station must be in the room from which the ship is normally steered while at sea.

(d) The radiotelephone stations on ships subject to Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must be capable of operating on the frequency 156.800 MHz and in other respects meet the requirements of §80.143. The radiotelephone stations on ships subject to the Safety Convention must be capable of operating in the simplex mode on the ship station transmitting frequencies specified in the frequency band 156.025 MHz to 157.425 MHz and in the semiduplex mode on the two frequency channels specified in the following table:

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986; 52 FR 35246, Sept. 18, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 40059, Sept. 29, 1989]

The VHF radiotelephone installation includes:

(a) A VHF radiotelephone transmitter,

(b) A VHF radiotelephone receiver,

(c) A power supply,

(d) An antenna system.

(a) The transmitter must be capable of transmission of G3E emission on 156.300 MHz and 156.800 MHz, and on frequencies which have been specified for use in a system established to promote safety of navigation. Vessels in waters of other Administrations are required to communicate on any channel designated by that Administration for navigational safety in the bands specified in §80.871(d).

(b) The transmitter must be adjusted so that the transmission of speech normally produces peak modulation within the limits of 75 percent and 100 percent.

(c) The transmitter must deliver a carrier power between 8 and 25 watts into a 50 ohm effective resistance. Provision must be made for reducing the carrier power to a value between 0.1 and 1.0 watts.

(d) The transmitter complies with the power output requirements specified in paragraph (c) of this section when:

(1) The transmitter is capable of being adjusted for efficient use with an actual ship station transmitting antenna meeting the requirements of §80.876; and

(2) The transmitter has been demonstrated capable, with normal operating voltages applied, of delivering not less than 8 watts of carrier power into 50 ohms effective resistance over the frequency band specified in §80.871(d). An individual demonstration of the power output capability of the transmitter, with the radiotelephone installation normally installed on board ship, may be required; and

(3) It is certificated as required by subpart F of this part.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998]

(a) The receiver used for providing the watch for navaigational safety required by §80.313 must be certificated by the Commission and capable of effective reception of G3E emission on the frequencies required by §80.871(d) when connected to the antenna specified in §80.876.

(b) The receiver must have a usable sensitivity of 0.5 microvolts.

(c) The receiver must deliver adequate audio output power to be heard in the ambient noise level likely to be expected on board ships with a loudspeaker and/or a telephone handset.

(d) In the simplex mode when the transmitter is activated the receiver output must be muted.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998]

(a) There must be readily available for use under normal load conditions a power supply sufficient to simultaneously energize the VHF transmitter at its required antenna power, and the VHF receiver. Under this load condition the voltage of the source of energy at the power input terminals of the VHF radiotelephone installation must not deviate from its rated value by more than 10 percent on ships completed on or after March 1, 1957, nor by more than 15 percent on ships completed before that date.

(b) When the power supply for the VHF radiotelephone installation consists of batteries, they must be installed in the upper part of the ship, secured against shifting with motion of the ship, capable of operating the installation for 6 hours, and accessible with not less than 26 cm (10 in.) head room.

(c) Means must be provided for charging any rechargeable batteries used in the ship's VHF radiotelephone installation. There must be provided a device which, during charging of the batteries, will give a continuous indication of the charging current.

(d) The VHF radiotelephone installation may be connected to the reserve power supply of a compulsorily fitted radiotelephone or radiotelegraph installation.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 44953, Aug. 25, 1993]

A vertically polarized nondirectional antenna must be provided for VHF radiotelephone installations. The construction and installation of this antenna must insure proper operation in an emergency.

The controls and indicators used on equipment of the VHF radiotelephone installation must meet the following standards:

(a) The size of controls must easily permit normal adjustment. The function and the setting of the controls must be clearly indicated.d

(b) Controls must be illuminated to permit satisfactory operation of the equipment.

(c) Means must be provided to reduce to extinction any light output from the equipment which could affect safety of navigation.

(d) An on/off switch must be provided for the entire installation with a visual indication that the installation is switched on.

(e) The equipment must indicate the channel number, as given in the Radio Regulations, to which it is tuned. It must allow the determination of the channel number under all conditions of external lighting. Channel 16 must be distinctively marked.

(f) The receiver must have a manual volume control and a squelch control.

(g) If the external controls are on a separate control unit and more than one such control unit is provided, the one on the bridge must have priority over the others. When there is more than one control unit, indication must be given to the other(s) that the transmitter is in operation.

(a) Vessels operated solely within twenty nautical miles of shore must be equipped with a VHF radiotelephone installation as described in this subpart, and maintain a continuous watch on Channel 16.

(b) Vessels operated solely within one hundred nautical miles of shore must be equipped with a medium frequency transmitter capable of transmitting J3E emission and a receiver capable of reception of J3E emission within the band 1710 to 2850 kHz, in addition to the VHF radiotelephone installation required by paragraph (a) of this section, and must maintain a continuous watch on 2182 kHz. Additionally, such vessels must be equipped with either:

(1) A single sideband radiotelephone capable of operating on all distress and safety frequencies in the medium frequency and high frequency bands listed in §80.369(a) and (b), on all the ship-to-shore calling frequencies in the high frequency bands listed in §80.369(d), and on at least four of the automated mutual-assistance vessel rescue (AMVER) system HF duplex channels (this requirement may be met by the addition of such frequencies to the radiotelephone installation required by paragraph (b) of this section); or

(2) If operated in an area within the coverage of an INMARSAT maritime mobile geostationary satellite in which continuous alerting is available, an INMARSAT ship earth station meeting the equipment authorization rules of parts 2 and 80 of this chapter.

[68 FR 46973, Aug. 7, 2003]

Vessels subject to subpart R of this part must be equipped as follows:

(a) A category 1, 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB meeting the requirements of §80.1061;

(b) A NAVTEX receiver meeting the requirements of §80.1101(c)(1);

(c) A Search and Rescue Transponder meeting the requirements of §80.1101(c)(6); and

(d) A two-way VHF radiotelephone meeting the requirements of §80.1101(c)(7).

[68 FR 46973, Aug. 7, 2003]

The provisions of Part III of Title III of the Communication Act require United States vessels which transport more than six passengers for hire while such vessels are being navigated on any tidewater within the jurisdiction of the United States adjacent or contiguous to the open sea, or in the open sea to carry a radiotelephone installation complying with this subpart. The provisions of Part III do not apply to vessels which are equipped with a radio installation for compliance with Part II of Title III of the Act, or for compliance with the Safety Convention, or to vessels navigating on the Great Lakes.

Every vessel subject to Part III of Title III of the Communications Act must have a detailed inspection of the radio installation by an FCC-licensed technician in accordance with §80.59 once every five years. The FCC-licensed technician must use the latest FCC Information Bulletin, How to Conduct an Inspection of a Small Passenger Vessel. If the ship passes the inspection, the technician will issue a Communications Act Safety Radiotelephony Certificate. Communications Act Radiotelephony Certificates may be obtained from the Commission's National Call Center—(888) 225–5322—or from its forms contractor.

[63 FR 29660, June 1, 1998]

(a) Vessels subject to part III of title III of the Communications Act that operate in the waters described in §80.901 must, at a minimum, be equipped as follows:

(1) Vessels operated solely within the communications range of a VHF public coast station or U.S. Coast Guard station that maintains a watch on 156.800 MHz while the vessel is navigated must be equipped with a VHF-DSC radiotelephone installation, except that a VHF radiotelephone installation without DSC capability is permitted until one year after the Coast Guard notifies the Commission that shore-based sea area A1 coverage is established. Vessels in this category must not operate more than 20 nautical miles from land.

(2) Vessels operated beyond the 20 nautical mile limitation specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, but not more than 100 nautical miles from the nearest land, must be equipped with a MF–DSC frequency transmitter capable of transmitting J3E emission and a receiver capable of reception of J3E emission within the band 1710 to 2850 kHz, in addition to the VHF–DSC radiotelephone installation required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, except that a MF radiotelephone installation without DSC capability is permitted until one year after the Coast Guard notifies the Commission that shore-based sea area A2 coverage is established. The MF or MF–DSC transmitter and receiver must be capable of operation on 2670 kHz.

(3) Vessels operated more than 100 nautical miles but not more than 200 nautical miles from the nearest land must:

(i) Be equipped with a VHF–DSC radiotelephone installation, except that a VHF radiotelephone installation without DSC capability is permitted until one year after the Coast Guard notifies the Commission that shore-based sea area A1 coverage is established;

(ii) Be equipped with an MF–DSC radiotelephone transmitter and receiver meeting the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this section, except that a MF radiotelephone installation without DSC capability is permitted until one year after the Coast Guard notifies the Commission that shore-based sea area A2 coverage is established; and

(iii) Be equipped with either:

(A) A DSC-capable single sideband radiotelephone that complies with ITU–R Rec. (series) M.493 Class A, B or E, and is capable of operating on all distress and safety frequencies in the medium frequency and high frequency bands listed in §80.369(a) and (b), on all of the ship-to-shore calling frequencies in the high frequency bands listed in §80.369(d), and on at least four of the automated mutual-assistance vessel rescue (AMVER) system HF duplex channels (this requirement may be met by the addition of such frequencies to the radiotelephone installation required by paragraph (a)(2) of this section); or

(B) If operated in an area within the coverage of an INMARSAT maritime mobile geostationary satellite in which continuous alerting is available, an INMARSAT B, C, or M ship earth station, or an INMARSAT A ship earth station if installed prior to February 12, 2004.

(iv) Be equipped with a reserve power supply meeting the requirements of §§80.917(b), 80.919 and 80.921, and capable of powering the single sideband radiotelephone or the ship earth station (including associated peripheral equipment) required by paragraph (a)(3)(iii) of this section, including the navigation receiver referred to in §80.905(a)(5);

(v) Be equipped with a NAVTEX receiver conforming to the following performance standards: IMO Resolution A.525(13) and ITU–R Recommendation 540;

(vi) Be equipped with a Category I 406–406.1 MHz satellite emergency position-indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) meeting the requirements of §80.1061 or, if the ship is not operating in sea area A4, as defined in §80.1069(a)(4), an automatic float-free INMARSAT–E EPIRB meeting the requirements of §80.1063; and

(vii) Participate in the AMVER system while engaged on any voyage where the vessel is navigated in the open sea for more than 24 hours. Copies of the AMVER Bulletin are available at: AMVER Maritime Relations, USCG Battery Park Building, Room 201, New York, NY 10004–1499. Phone 212–668–7764; Fax 212–668–7684.

(4) Vessels operated more than 200 nautical miles from the nearest land must:

(i) Be equipped with two VHF–DSC radiotelephone installations, except that VHF radiotelephone installations without DSC capability are permitted until one year after the Coast Guard notifies the Commission that shore-based sea area A1 coverage is established;

(ii) Be equipped with an MF–DSC radiotelephone transmitter and receiver meeting the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this section, except that a MF radiotelephone installation without DSC capability is permitted until one year after the Coast Guard notifies the Commission that shore-based sea area A2 coverage is established;

(iii) Be equipped with either:

(A) A DSC-capable independent single sideband radiotelephone that complies with ITU–R Rec. (series) M.493 Class A, B or E, and is capable of operating on all distress and safety frequencies in the medium frequency and high frequency bands listed in §80.369(a) and (b), on all of the ship-to-shore calling frequencies in the high frequency bands listed in §80.369(d), and on at least four of the automated mutual-assistance vessel rescue (AMVER) system HF duplex channels; or

(B) If operated in an area within the coverage of an INMARSAT maritime mobile geostationary satellite in which continuous alerting is available, an INMARSAT B, C, or M ship earth station, or an INMARSAT A ship earth station if installed prior to February 12, 2004.

(iv) Be equipped with a reserve power supply meeting the requirements of §§80.917(b), 80.919 and 80.921, and capable of powering the single sideband radiotelephone or the ship earth station (including associated peripheral equipment) required by paragraph (a)(4)(iii) of this section, including the navigation receiver referred to in §80.905(a)(5);

(v) Be equipped with a NAVTEX receiver conforming to the following performance standards: IMO Resolution A.525(13) and ITU–R Recommendation 540;

(vi) Be equipped with a Category I 406–406.1 MHz satellite emergency position-indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) meeting the requirements of §80.1061 or, if the ship is not operating in sea area A4, as defined in §80.1069(a)(4), an automatic float-free INMARSAT–E EPIRB meeting the requirements of §80.1063;

(vii) Be equipped with a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver meeting the requirements of §80.269;

(viii) Be equipped with an automatic radiotelephone alarm signal generator meeting the requirements of §80.221; and

(ix) Participate in the AMVER system while engaged on any voyage where the vessel is navigated in the open sea for more than 24 hours. Copies of the AMVER Bulletin are available at: AMVER Maritime Relations, USCG Battery Park Building, Room 201, New York, NY 10004–1499. Phone 212–668–7764; Fax 212–668–7684.

(5) Vessels must comply with the requirements for a navigation receiver or manual updating of position information contained in §80.1085(c).

(b) For a vessel that is navigated within the communication range of a VHF public coast station or U.S. Coast Guard station, but beyond the 20-nautical mile limitation specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, an exemption from the band 1605 to 2850 kHz installation requirements may be granted if the vessel is equipped with a VHF transmitter and receiver. An application for exemption must include a chart showing the route of the voyage or the area of operation of the vessel, and the receiving service area of the VHF public coast or U.S. Coast Guard station. The coverage area of the U.S. Coast Guard station must be based on written information from the District Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, a copy of which must be furnished with the application. The coverage area of a public coast station must be computed by the method specified in subpart P of this part.

(c) The radiotelephone installation must be installed to insure safe operation of the equipment and to facilitate repair. It must be protected against the vibration, moisture, temperature, and excessive currents and voltages.

(d) A VHF-DSC radiotelephone installation or a remote unit must be located at each steering station except those auxiliary steering stations which are used only during brief periods for docking or for close-in maneuvering. A single portable VHF-DSC radiotelephone set meets the requirements of this paragraph if adequate permanent mounting arrangements with suitable power provision and antenna feed are installed at each operator steering station. Additionally, for vessels of more than 100 gross tons, the radiotelephone installation must be located at the level of the main wheelhouse or at least one deck above the vessel's main deck.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 56 FR 19301, Apr. 26, 1991; 57 FR 34262, Aug. 4, 1992; 68 FR 46973, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64677, Nov. 8, 2004]

The principal operating position of the radiotelephone installation on vessels over 100 gross tons must be in the room from which the vessel is normally steered while at sea. If the station can be operated from any location other than the principal operating position, a positive means must be provided at the principal operating position to take full control of the station.

(a) The medium frequency transmitter must have a peak envelope output power of at least 60 watts for J3E emission on 2182 kHz and at least one ship-to-shore working frequency within the band 1605 to 2850 kHz enabling communication with a public coast station if the region in which the vessel is navigated is served by a public coast station operating in this band.

(b) The single sideband radiotelephone must be capable of operating on maritime frequencies in the band 1710 to 27500 kHz with a peak envelope output power of at least 120 watts for J3E emission on 2182 kHz and J3E emission on the distress and safety frequencies listed in §80.369(b).

(c) The transmitter complies with the power output requirements specified in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section when:

(1) The transmitter can be adjusted for efficient use with an actual ship station transmitting antenna meeting the requirements of §80.923 of this part; and

(2) The transmitter, with normal operating voltages applied, has been demonstrated to deliver its required output power on the frequencies specified in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section into either an artificial antenna consisting of a series network of 10 ohms effective resistance and 200 picofarads capacitance or an artificial antenna of 50 ohms nominal impedance. An individual demonstration of power output capability of the transmitter, with the radiotelephone installation normally installed on board ship, may be required.

(d) The single sideband radiotelephone must be capable of transmitting clearly perceptible signals from ship to shore. The transmitter complies with this requirement if it is capable of enabling communication with a public coast station on working frequencies in the 4000 to 27500 kHz band specified in §80.371(b) of this part under normal daytime operating conditions.

[56 FR 19302, Apr. 26, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 34262, Aug. 4, 1992; 68 FR 46974, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The transmitter must be capable of transmission of G3E emission on 156.800 MHz, 156.300 MHz, and on the ship-to-shore working frequencies necessary to communicate with public coast stations serving the area in which the vessel is navigated.

(b) The transmitter must be adjusted so that the transmission of speech normally produces peak modulation within the limits 75 percent and 100 percent.

(c) The transmitter must be certificated to transmit between 20 watts and 25 watts, on each of the frequencies 156.300 MHz, 156.800 MHz and on ship-to-shore public correspondence channels, into 50 ohms effective resistance when operated with a primary supply voltage of 13.6 volts DC.

(d) When an individual demonstration of the capability of the transmitter is necessary the output power requirements prescribed in this paragraph must be met as follows:

(1) Measurements of primary supply voltage and transmitter output power must be made with the equipment drawing energy only from ship's battery;

(2) The primary supply voltage, measured at the power input terminals to the transmitter, and the output power of the transmitter, terminated in a matching artificial load, must be measured at the end of 10 minutes of continuous operation of the transmitter at its full power output.

(3) The primary supply voltage must not be less than 11.5 volts.

(4) The transmitter output power must be not less than 15 watts.

(5) For primary supply voltages, measured in accordance with the procedures of this paragraph, greater than 11.5 volts, but less than 12.6 volts, the required transmitter output power shall be equal to or greater than the value calculated from the formula

P=4.375(V)−35.313

where V equals the measured primary voltage and P is the calculated output power in watts.”

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 54 FR 40059, Sept. 29, 1989; 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998]

(a) If a medium frequency radiotelephone installation is provided, the watch receiver must be capable of effective reception of J3E emissions, be connected to the antenna system specified by §80.923, and be preset to, and capable of accurate and convenient selection of, the frequencies 2182 kHz, 2638 kHz, and the receiving frequency(s) of public coast stations serving the area in which the vessel is navigated.

(b) If a single sideband radiotelephone installation is provided, the receiver must be capable of reception of H3E and J3E emissions on 2182 kHz and J3E emission on any receiving frequency authorized pursuant to §80.909 of this part.

(c) If a very high frequency radiotelephone installation is provided, the receiver used for maintaining the watch required by §80.303 must be capable of effective reception of G3E emission, be connected to the antenna system specified by §80.923 and be preset to, and capable of selection of, the frequencies 156.300 MHz, 156.800 MHz, and the receiving frequency(s) of public coast stations serving the area in which the vessel is navigated.

(d) One or more loudspeakers must be provided to permit reception on 2182 kHz or 156.800 MHz at the principal operating position and at any other place where listening is performed.

(e) Any receiver provided as a part of the radiotelephone installation must have a sensitivity of at least 50 microvolts in the case of MF equipment, and 1 microvolt in the case of HF or VHF equipment.

(f) The receiver required in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of this section must be capable of efficient operation when energized by the main source of energy. When a reserve source of energy is required pursuant to §80.905 or §80.917 of this part, the receiver must also be capable of efficient operation when energized by the reserve source of energy.

(g) The sensitivity of a receiver is the strength in microvolts of a signal, modulated 30 percent at 400 Hertz, required at the receiver input to produce an audio output of 50 milliwatts to the loudspeaker with a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 6 decibels. Evidence of a manufacturer's rating or a demonstration of the sensitivity of a required receiver computed on this basis must be furnished upon request of the Commission.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 56 FR 19302, Apr. 26, 1991]

(a) There must be readily available for use under normal load conditions a main power supply sufficient to simultaneously energize the radiotelephone transmitter at its required antenna power, and the required receiver. Under this load condition the potential of the main power supply at the power input terminals of the radiotelephone installation must not deviate from its rated potential by more than 10 percent on vessels completed on or after March 1, 1957, nor by more than 15 percent on vessels completed before that date.

(b) When the main power supply consists of batteries, they must be installed as high above the bilge as practicable, secured against shifting with motion of the vessel, and accessible with not less than 26 cm (10 in.) head room.

(c) Means must be provided for adequately charging any batteries used as a main power supply. There must be a device which gives a continuous indication of the rate and polarity of the charging current during charging.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 44953, Aug. 25, 1993]

(a) A vessel of more than 100 gross tons the keel of which was laid after March 1, 1957, must have a reserve power supply located on the same deck as the main wheel house or at least one deck above the vessel's main deck, unless the main power supply is so situated.

(b) The reserve power supply must be independent of the ship's propulsion and of any other electrical system, and be sufficient to simulataneously energize the radiotelephone transmitter at its required output power, and the receiver. The reserve power supply must be available for use at all times.

(c) When the reserve power supply consists of batteries, they must be installed as high above the bilge as practicable, secured against shifting with motion of the vessel, and accessible with not less than 26 cm (10 in.) head room.

(d) The reserve power supply must be located as near the required transmitter and receiver as practicable.

(e) All reserve power supply circuits must be protected from overloads.

(f) Means must be provided for charging any storage batteries used as a reserve power supply for the required radiotelephone installation. There must be a device which will give continuous indication of the rate and polarity of the charging current during charging.

(g) The cooling system of each internal combustion engine used as a part of the reserve power supply must be adequately treated to prevent freezing or overheating consistent with the season and route to be travelled by the particular vessel involved.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 44954, Aug. 25, 1993]

If either the main or reserve power supply includes batteries, these batteries must have sufficient reserve capacity to permit proper operation of the required transmitter and receiver for at least 3 hours under normal working conditions.

(a) When directed by a representative of the Commission the vessel must prove by demonstration as prescribed in paragraphs (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this section, that the requirements of §80.919 are met.

(b) Proof of the ability of a storage battery used as a main or reserve power supply to operate over the 3-hour period established by a discharge test over the prescribed period of time, when supplying power at the voltage required for an electrical loss as prescribed by paragraph (d) of this section.

(c) When the required power supply consists of an engine-driven generator, proof of the adequacy of the engine fuel supply to operate the unit over the 3-hour period of time may be established by using as a basis the fuel consumption during a 1 hour period when supplying power, at the voltage required for operating an electrical load as prescribed by paragraph (d) of this section.

(d) In determining the required electrical load the following formula must be used:

(1) One-half of the current of the required transmitter at its rated output power; plus

(2) Current of the required receiver; plus

(3) Current of electric light, if required by §80.925; plus

(4) The sum of the current of all other loads the reserve power supply may provide in time of emergency.

(e) At the conclusion of the test specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, no part of the main or reserve power supply must have an excessive temperature rise, nor must the specific gravity or voltage of any storage battery be below the 90 percent discharge point.

An antenna must be provided in accordance with the applicable requirements of §80.81 of this part which is as efficient as practicable for the transmission and reception of radio waves. The construction and installation of this antenna must insure proper emergency operation.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 56 FR 19302, Apr. 26, 1991]

(a) If the vessel is navigated at night an electric light or dial lights which clearly illuminate the operating controls must be installed to provide illumination of the operating controls at the principal operating position.

(b) The electric light must be energized from the main power supply and, if a reserve power supply for the radiotelephone installation is required, from the reserve power supply.

The transmitter must be equipped with a device which provides visual indication whenever the transmitter is supplying power to the antenna.

A durable nameplate must be mounted on the required radiotelephone equipment. When the transmitter and receiver comprise a single unit, one nameplate is sufficient. The nameplate must show the name of the manufacturer and the type or model number.

Unless normal use of the radiotelephone installation demonstrates that the equipment is in proper operating condition, a test communication on a required frequency in the 1605 to 27500 kHz band or the 156 to 162 MHz band must be made by a qualified operator each day the vessel is navigated. If the equipment is not in proper operating condition, the master must be promptly notified.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 56 FR 19302, Apr. 26, 1991]

(a) Subject U.S. vessels less than 50 gross tons which are navigated not more than 300 meters (1,000 feet) from the nearest land at mean low tide are exempt from the provisions of title III, part III of the Communications Act.

(b) All U.S. passenger vessels of less than 100 gross tons, not subject to the radio provisions of the Safety Convention, are exempt from the radiotelegraph provisions of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act, provided that the vessels are equipped with a radiotelephone installation fully complying with subpart S of this part.

(c) U.S. passenger vessels of less than 100 gross tons operated on domestic or international voyages are exempt from the radiotelegraph requirements of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act and the MF radiotelephone requirements of this subpart until one year after the Coast Guard notifies the Commission that shore-based Sea Area A1 coverage is established, if the following criteria are fully met:

(1) The ship is equipped with a VHF radiotelephone installation meeting the requirements of this subpart;

(2) While navigating more than three nautical miles from the nearest land, the ship is equipped with:

(i) A Category 1, 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB meeting the requirements of §80.1061;

(ii) A NAVTEX receiver meeting the requirements of §80.1101(c)(1); and

(iii) Three two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus and two radar transponders meeting the requirements of §80.1095.

(3) The ship remains within communications range of U.S. Coast Guard or public coast stations operating in the band 156–162 MHz;

(4) The routes of the voyage are never more than 20 nautical miles from the nearest land or, alternatively, not more than 200 nautical miles between two consecutive ports, and are limited to the following domestic and international voyages:

(i) In waters contiguous to Hawaii, the Bahama Islands and the islands in the Caribbean Sea, including the Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, and the coastal waters of Venezuela between the Mouth of the Orinoco River and the Gulf of Venezuela;

(ii) In waters contiguous to the coast of Southern California from Point Conception south to Cape San Lucas, Mexico; the islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacopa, San Nicolas, Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina, and San Clemente are considered to be within these waters; and,

(iii) In waters of the Pacific Northwest between Tacoma, Washington and the waters of British Columbia, Canada, as far north as Queen Charlotte Strait, never in the open sea.

(d) Prior to February 1, 1999, U.S. passenger vessels of less than 100 gross tons are exempt from the radiotelegraph requirements of Part II of Title III of the Communications Act, as well as Regulations 7 to 11 of Chapter IV of the Safety Convention, if the following criteria are fully met:

(1) The ship is equipped in accordance with paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section;

(2) The ship is equipped with a MF radiotelephone installation meeting the requirements of this subpart;

(3) The routes of the voyage are never more than 20 nautical miles from the nearest land or, alternatively, not more than 100 nautical miles between two consecutive ports, and are limited to international voyages between Florida and the Bahama Islands.

(e) These exemptions may be terminated at any time without hearing, if in the Commission's discretion, the need for such action arises.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 44954, Aug. 25, 1993; 60 FR 58245, Nov. 27, 1995; 68 FR 46974, Aug. 7, 2003]

Each station subject to this subpart must have a working clock or timepiece readily available to the operator.

The Agreement Between the United States of America and Canada for Promotion of Safety on the Great Lakes by Means of Radio, 1973, applies to vessels of all countries when navigated on the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Radio Agreement defines the Great Lakes as “all waters of Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron (including Georgian Bay), Michigan, Superior, their connecting and tributary waters and the River St. Lawrence as far east as the lower exit of the St. Lambert Lock at Montreal in the Province of Quebec, Canada,” but does not include such of the connecting and tributary waters as may be specified in the Technical Regulations. The Technical Regulations do not include any connecting and tributary waters except the St. Mary's River, the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River and the Welland Canal. A vessel to which the Great Lakes Radio Agreement applies and which falls into the specific categories by paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this section and not excepted by paragraph (d) or (e) of this section must comply with this subpart while navigated on the Great Lakes.

(a) Every vessel 20 meters (65 feet) or over in length (measured from end to end over the deck, exclusive of sheer).

(b) Every vessel engaged in towing another vessel or floating object, except:

(1) Where the maximum length of the towing vessel, measured from end to end over the deck exclusive of sheer, is less than 8 meters (26 feet) and the length or breadth of the tow, exclusive of the towing line, is less than 20 meters (65 feet);

(2) Where the vessel towed complies with this subpart;

(3) Where the towing vessel and tow are located within a booming ground (an area in which logs are confined); or

(4) Where the tow has been undertaken in an emergency and neither the towing vessel nor the tow can comply with this part.

(c) Any vessel carrying more than six passengers for hire.

(d) The requirements of the Great Lakes Radio Agreement do not apply to:

(1) Ships of war and troop ships;

(2) Vessels owned and operated by any national government and not engaged in trade.

(e) The Commission may if it considers that the conditions of the voyage or voyages affecting safety (including but not necessarily limited to the regularity, frequency and nature of the voyages, or other circumstances) are such as to render full application of the Great Lakes Agreement unreasonable or unnecessary, exempt partially, conditionally or completely, any individual vessel for one or more voyages or for any period of time not exceeding one year.

(a) Each U.S. flag vessel subject to the Great Lakes Agreement must have an inspection of the required radiotelephone installation at least once every 13 months. This inspection must be made while the vessel is in active service or within not more than one month before the date on which it is placed in service.

(b) An inspection and certification of a ship subject to the Great Lakes Agreement must be made by a technician holding one of the following: a General Radiotelephone Operator License, a GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License, a Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or a First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate. Additionally, the technician must not be the vessel's owner, operator, master, or an employee of any of them. The results of the inspection must be recorded in the ship's radiotelephone log and include:

(1) The date the inspection was conducted;

(2) The date by which the next inspection needs to be completed;

(3) The inspector's printed name, address, class of FCC license (including the serial number);

(4) The results of the inspection, including any repairs made; and

(5) The inspector's signed and dated certification that the vessel meets the requirements of the Great Lakes Agreement and the Bridge-to-Bridge Act contained in subparts T and U of this part and has successfully passed the inspection.

(c) The vessel owner, operator, or ship's master must certify that the inspection required by paragraph (b) was satisfactory.

(d) The ship's log must be retained on-board the vessel for at least two years from the date of the inspection.

[61 FR 25807, May 23, 1996]

(a) Each U.S. flag vessel of less than 38 meters (124 feet) in length while subject to the Great Lakes Agreement must have a radiotelephone meeting the provisions of this subpart in addition to the other rules in this part governing ship stations using telephony.

(b) Each U.S. flag vessel of 38 meters (124 feet) or more in length while subject to the Great Lakes Agreement must have a minimum of two VHF radiotelephone installations in operating condition meeting the provisions of this subpart. The second VHF installation must be electrically separate from the first VHF installation. However, both may be connected to the main power supply provided one installation can be operated from a separate power supply located as high as practicable on the vessel.

(c) This paragraph does not require or prohibit the use of other frequencies for use by the same “radiotelephone installation” for communication authorized by this part.

(a) Each VHF radiotelephone installation must be capable of transmitting and receiving G3E emission as follows:

(1) Channel 16—156.800 MHz-Distress, Safety and Calling; and

(2) Channel 6—156.300 MHz—Primary intership.

(b) The radiotelephone station must have additional frequencies as follows:

(1) Those ship movement frequencies appropriate to the vessel's area of operation: Channel 11—156.550 MHz, Channel 12—156.600 MHz, or Channel 14—156.700 MHz.

(2) The navigational bridge-to-bridge frequency, 156.650 MHz (channel 13).

(3) Such other frequencies as required for the vessel's service.

(4) One channel for receiving marine navigational warnings for the area of operation.

(c) Every radiotelephone station must include one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, one or more sources of energy and associated antennas and control equipment. The radiotelephone station, exclusive of the antennas and source of energy, must be located as high as practicable on the vessel, preferably on the bridge, and protected from water, temperature, and electrical and mechanical noise.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 53 FR 17052, May 13, 1988]

(a) The principal operating position of the radiotelephone installation must be on the bridge, convenient to the conning position.

(b) When the radiotelephone station is not located on the bridge, operational control of the equipment must be provided at the location of the radiotelephone station and at the bridge operating position. Complete control of the equipment at the bridge operating position must be provided.

(a) The transmitter must be capable of transmission of G3E emission on the required frequencies.

(b) The transmitter must deliver a carrier power of between 10 watts and 25 watts into 50 ohms nominal resistance when operated with its rated supply voltage. The transmitter must be capable of readily reducing the carrier power to one watt or less.

(c) To demonstrate the capability of the transmitter, measurements of primary supply voltage and transmitter output power must be made with the equipment operating on the vessel's main power supply, as follows:

(1) The primary supply voltage measured at the power input terminals to the transmitter terminated in a matching artificial load, must be measured at the end of 10 minutes of continuous operation of the transmitter at its rated power output.

(2) The primary supply voltage, measured in accordance with the procedures of this paragraph, must be not less than 11.5 volts.

(3) The transmitter at full output power measured in accordance with the procedure of this paragraph must not be less than 10 watts.

(a) The receiver must be capable of reception of G3E emission on the required frequencies.

(b) The receiver must have a sensitivity of at least 2 microvolts across 50 ohms for a 20 decibel signal-to-noise ratio.

(a) A main power supply must be available at all times while the vessel is subject to the requirements of the Great Lakes Radio Agreement.

(b) Means must be provided for charging any batteries used as a source of energy. A device which during charging of the batteries gives a continuous indication of charging current must be provided.

(a) Each passenger vessel of more than 100 gross tons and each cargo vessel of more than 300 gross tons must be provided with a reserve power supply independent of the vessel's normal electrical system and capable of energizing the radiotelephone installation and illuminating the operating controls at the principal operating position for at least 2 continuous hours under normal operating conditions. When meeting this 2 hour requirement, such reserve power supply must be located on the bridge level or at least one deck above the vessel's main deck.

(b) Instead of the independent power supply specified in paragraph (a) of this section, the vessel may be provided with an auxiliary radiotelephone installation having a power source independent of the vessel's normal electrical system. Any such installation must comply with §§80.955, 80.956, 80.957, 80.959, 80.961, 80.969 and 80.971, as well as the general technical standards contained in this part. Additionally, the power supply for any such auxiliary radiotelephone must be a “reserve power supply” for the purposes of paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of this section.

(c) Means must be provided for adequately charging any batteries used as a reserve power supply for the required radiotelephone installation. A device must be provided which, during charging of the batteries, gives a continuous indication of charging.

(d) The reserve power supply must be available within one minute.

(e) The station licensee, when directed by the Commission, must prove by demonstration as prescribed in paragraphs (e)(1), (2), (3) and (4) of this section that the reserve power supply is capable of meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section as follows:

(1) When the reserve power supply includes a battery, proof of the ability of the battery to operate continuously for the required time must be established by a discharge test over the required time, when supplying power at the voltage required for normal operation to an electric load as prescribed by paragraph (e)(3) of this section.

(2) When the reserve power supply includes an engine driven generator, proof of the adequacy of the engine fuel supply to operate the unit continuously for the required time may be established by using as a basis the fuel consumption during a continuous period of one hour when supplying power, at the voltage required for normal operation, to an electrical load as prescribed by paragraph (e)(3) of this section.

(3) For the purposes of determining the electrical load to be supplied, the following formula must be used:

(i) One-half of the current of the radiotelephone while transmitting at its rated output, plus one-half the current while not transmitting; plus

(ii) Current of the required receiver; plus

(iii) Current of the source of illumination provided for the operating controls prescribed by §80.969; plus

(iv) The sum of the currents of all other loads to which the reserve power supply may provide power in time of emergency or distress.

(4) At the conclusion of the test specified in paragraphs (e) (1) and (2) of this section, no part of the reserve power supply must have excessive temperature rise, nor must the specific gravity or voltage of any battery be below the 90 percent discharge point.

The antenna must be omnidirectional, vertically polarized and located as high as practicable on the masts or superstructure of the vessel.

(a) The radiotelephone must have dial lights which illuminate the operating controls at the principal operating position.

(b) Instead of dial lights, a light from an electric lamp may be provided to illuminate the operating controls of the radiotelephone at the principal operating position. If a reserve power supply is required, arrangements must permit the use of that power supply for illumination within one minute.

At least once during each calendar day a vessel subject to the Great Lakes Radio Agreement must test communications on 156.800 MHz to demonstrate that the radiotelephone installation is in proper operating condition unless the normal daily use of the equipment demonstrates that this installation is in proper operating condition. If equipment is not in operating condition, the master must have it restored to effective operation as soon as possible.

The Bridge-to-Bridge Act and the regulations of this part apply to the following vessels in the navigable waters of the United States:

(a) Every power-driven vessel of 20 meters or over in length while navigating;

(b) Every vessel of 100 gross tons and upward carrying one or more passengers for hire while navigating;

(c) Every towing vessel of 7.8 meters (26 feet) or over in length, measured from end to end over the deck excluding sheer, while navigating; and

(d) Every dredge and floating plant engaged, in or near a channel or fairway, in operations likely to restrict or affect navigation of other vessels. An unmanned or intermittently manned floating plant under the control of a dredge shall not be required to have a separate radiotelephone capability.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 57 FR 61012, Dec. 23, 1992; 58 FR 44954, Aug. 25, 1993]

Vessels subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act must have a radiotelephone installation to enable the vessel to participate in navigational communications. This radiotelephone installation must be continuously associated with the ship even though a portable installation is used. Foreign vessels coming into U.S. waters where a bridge-to-bridge station is required may fulfill this requirement by use of portable equipment brought a board by the pilot. Non portable equipment, when used, must be arranged to facilitate repair. The equipment must be protected against vibration, moisture, temperature and excessive currents and voltages.

The bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone station will be inspected on vessels subject to regular inspections pursuant to the requirements of Parts II and III of Title III of the Communications Act, the Safety Convention or the Great Lakes Agreement at the time of the regular inspection. If after such inspection, the Commission determines that the Bridge-to-Bridge Act, the rules of the Commission and the station license are met, an endorsement will be made on the appropriate document. The validity of the endorsement will run concurrently with the period of the regular inspection. Each vessel must carry a certificate with a valid endorsement while subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act. All other bridge-to-bridge stations will be inspected from time to time. An inspection of the bridge-to-bridge station on a Great Lakes Agreement vessel must normally be made at the same time as the Great Lakes Agreement inspection is conducted by a technician holding one of the following: a General Radiotelephone Operator License, a GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License, a Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate, or a First Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate. Additionally, the technician must not be the vessel's owner, operator, master, or an employee of any of them. Ships subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act may, in lieu of an endorsed certificate, certify compliance in the station log required by section 80.409(f).

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 61 FR 25807, May 23, 1996]

Use of the bridge-to-bridge transmitter must be restricted to 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. Communications must be of a navigational nature exclusively.

The principal operating position of the bridge-to-bridge station must be the vessel's navigational bridge or, in the case of dredges, its main control station. If the radiotelephone installation can be operated from any location other than the principal operating position, the principal operating position must be able to take full control of the installation.

(a) The bridge-to-bridge transmitter must be capable of transmission of G3E emission on the navigational frequency 156.650 MHz (Channel 13) and the Coast Guard liaison frequency 157.100 MHz (Channel 22A). Additionally, the bridge-to-bridge transmitter must be capable of transmission of G3E emission on the navigational frequency of 156.375 MHz (Channel 67) while transiting any of the following waters:

(1) The lower Mississippi River from the territorial sea boundary, and within either the Southwest Pass safety fairway or the South Pass safety fairway specified in §166.200 of the U.S. Coast Guard's Rules, 33 CFR 166.200, to mile 242.4 AHP (Above Head of Passes) near Baton Rouge;

(2) The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet from the territorial sea boundary, and within the Mississippi River-Gulf outlet Safety Fairway specified in §166.200 of the U.S. Coast Guard's Rules, 33 CFR 166.200, to that channel's junction with the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal; and

(3) The full length of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal from its junction with the Mississippi River to that canal's entry to Lake Pontchartrain at the New Seabrook vehicular bridge.

(b) [Reserved]

[57 FR 61012, Dec. 23, 1992]

The bridge-to-bridge receiver must be capable of reception of G3E emission on the navigational frequency 156.650 MHz (Channel 13) and the Coast Guard liaison frequency 157.100 MHz (Channel 22A). In addition, the bridge-to-bridge receiver must be capable of reception of G3E emission on the navigational frequency of 156.375 MHz (Channel 67) while transiting in the waters of the lower Mississippi River as described in §§80.1011 (a)(1), (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this part.

[57 FR 61012, Dec. 23, 1992]

(a) There must be readily available for use under normal load conditions, a power supply sufficient to simultaneously energize the bridge-to-bridge transmitter at its required antenna power, and the bridge-to-bridge receiver. Under this load condition the voltage of the power supply at the power input terminals of the bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone installation must not deviate from its rated voltage by more than 10 percent on vessels completed on or after March 1, 1957, nor by more than 15 percent on vessels completed before that date.

(b) When the power supply for a nonportable bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone installation consists of or includes batteries, they must be installed as high above the bilge as practicable, secured against shifting with motion of the vessel, and accessible with not less than 26 cm (10 in.) head room.

(c) Means must be provided for adequately charging any rechargeable batteries used in the vessel's bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone installation. There must be provided a device which will give a continuous indication of the charging current during charging.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 44954, Aug. 25, 1993]

(a) An antenna must be provided for nonportable bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone installations which is nondirectional and vertically polarized. The construction and installation of this antenna must insure proper operation in time of an emergency.

(b) In cases where portable bridge-to-bridge equipment is permanently associated with a vessel, the equipment must be provided with a connector for an external antenna of a type capable of meeting requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and §80.71. The vessel must be equipped with an external antenna meeting requirements of paragraph (a) of this section and §80.71, capable of use with the portable equipment during a normal listening watch.

Each nonportable bridge-to-bridge transmitter must be equipped, at each point of control, with a carrier operated device which will provide continuous visual indication when the transmitter is supplying power to the antenna transmission line or, in lieu thereof, a pilot lamp or meter which will provide continuous visual indication when the transmitter control circuits have been placed in a condition to activate the transmitter.

[52 FR 35246, Sept. 18, 1987]

A durable nameplate must be mounted on the required radiotelephone or be an integral part of it. When the transmitter and receiver comprise a single unit, one nameplate is sufficient. The nameplate must show at least the name of the manufacturer and the type or model number.

Unless normal use of the required radiotelephone installation demonstrates that the equipment is in proper operating condition, a test communication for this purpose must be made by a qualified operator each day the vessel is navigated. If the equipment is not in proper operating condition, the master must be promptly notified. The master must have it restored to effective operating condition as soon as possible.

This subpart describes the technical and performance requirements for Classes A, B, and S, and Categories 1, 2, and 3 EPIRB stations.

[68 FR 46974, Aug. 7, 2003]

Class A EPIRBs shall not be manufactured, imported, or sold in the United States on or after February 1, 2003. Operation of Class A EPIRB stations shall be prohibited after December 31, 2006. New Class A EPIRBs will no longer be certified by the Commission. Existing Class A EPIRBs must be operated as certified.

[68 FR 46974, Aug. 7, 2003]

Class B EPIRBs shall not be manufactured, imported, or sold in the United States on or after February 1, 2003. Operation of Class B EPIRB stations shall be prohibited after December 31, 2006. New Class B EPIRBs will no longer be certified by the Commission. Existing Class B EPIRBs must be operated as certified.

[68 FR 46974, Aug. 7, 2003]

Class S EPIRBs shall not be manufactured, imported, or sold in the United States on or after February 1, 2003. Operation of Class S EPIRB stations shall be prohibited after December 31, 2006. New Class S EPIRBs will no longer be certified by the Commission. Existing Class S EPIRBs must be operated as certified.

[68 FR 46974, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph (b) of this section, 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRBs must meet all the technical and performance standards contained in the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services document entitled RTCM Paper 77–02/SC110–STD, “RTCM Recommended Standards for 406 MHz Satellite Emergency Position-Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs),” Version 2.1, dated June 20, 2002 (RTCM Recommended Standards). The RTCM Recommended Standards are incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of the RTCM Recommended Standards can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The RTCM Recommended Standards can be purchased from the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services, 1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 600, Alexandria, VA 22314. Phone 703–684–4481; Fax 703–684–4229; email [email protected].

(b) The 406.0–406.1 EPIRB must contain as an integral part a “homing” beacon operating only on 121.500 MHz that meets all the requirements described in the RTCM Recommended Standards document described in paragraph (a) of this section. The 121.500 MHz “homing” beacon must have a continuous duty cycle that may be interrupted during the transmission of the 406.0–406.1 MHz signal only. Additionally, at least 30 percent of the total power emitted during any transmission cycle must be contained within plus or minus 30 Hz of the carrier frequency.

(c) Prior to submitting a certification application for a 406.0–406.1 MHz radiobeacon, the radiobeacon must be certified by a test facility recognized by one of the COSPAS/SARSAT Partners that the equipment satisfies the design characteristics associated with the measurement methods described in Appendix B of the RTCM Recommended Standards. Additionally, the radiobeacon must be certified by a test facility recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard to certify that the equipment complies with the U.S. Coast Guard environmental and operational requirements associated with the test procedures described in Appendix A of the RTCM Recommended Standards. Information regarding the recognized test facilities may be obtained from Commandant (G-MSE), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street SW, Washington, DC 20593–0001.

(1) After a 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB has been certified by the recognized test facilities the following information must be submitted in duplicate to the Commandant (G-MSE), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street SW, Washington, DC 20593–0001:

(i) The name of the manufacturer or grantee and model number of the EPIRB;

(ii) Copies of the certificate and test data obtained from the test facility recognized by a COPAS/SARSAT Partner showing that the radiobeacon complies with the COSPAS/SARSAT design characteristics associated with the measurement methods described in Appendix B of the RTCM Recommended Standards;

(iii) Copies of the test report and test data obtained from the test facility recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard showing that the radiobeacon complies with the U.S. Coast Guard environmental and operational characteristics associated with the measurement methods described in Appendix A of the RTCM Recommended Standards; and

(iv) Instruction manuals associated with the radiobeacon, description of the test characteristics of the radiobeacon including assembly drawings, electrical schematics, description of parts list, specifications of materials and the manufacturer's quality assurance program.

(2) After reviewing the information described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section the U.S. Coast Guard will issue a letter stating whether the radiobeacon satisfies all RTCM Recommended Standards.

(d) A certification application for a 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB submitted to the Commission must also contain a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard letter that states the radiobeacon satisfies all RTCM Recommended Standards, a copy of the technical test data, and the instruction manual(s).

(e) An identification code, issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States Program Manager for the 406.025 MHz COSPAS/SARSAT satellite system, must be programmed in each EPIRB unit to establish a unique identification for each EPIRB station. With each marketable EPIRB unit, the manufacturer or grantee must include a postage pre-paid registration card printed with the EPIRB identification code addressed to: NOAA/SARSAT Beacon Registration, E/SP3, Federal Building 4, Room 3320, 5200 Auth Road, Suitland, MD 20746–4304. The registration card must request the owner's name, address, telephone number, type of ship, alternate emergency contact and other information as required by NOAA. The registration card must also contain information regarding the availability to register the EPIRB at NOAA's online web-based registration database at: http://www/beaconregistration.noaa.gov. In addition, the following statement must be included: “WARNING—failure to register this EPIRB with NOAA before installation could result in a monetary forfeiture being issued to the owner.”

(f) To enhance protection of life and property it is mandatory that each 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB be registered with NOAA before installation and that information be kept up-to-date. Therefore, in addition to the identification plate or label requirements contained in §§2.925 and 2.926 of this chapter, each 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB must be provided on the outside with a clearly discernible permanent plate or label containing the following statement: “The owner of this 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB must register the NOAA identification code contained on this label with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) whose address is: NOAA, NOAA/SARSAT Beacon Registration, E/SP3, Federal Building 4, Room 3320, 5200 Auth Road, Suitland, MD 20746–4304.” Vessel owners shall advise NOAA in writing upon change of vessel or EPIRB ownership, transfer of EPIRB to another vessel, or any other change in registration information. NOAA will provide registrants with proof of registration and change of registration postcards.

(g) For 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRBs whose identification code can be changed after manufacture, the identification code shown on the plate or label must be easily replaceable using commonly available tools.

[68 FR 46974, Aug. 7, 2003, as amended at 69 FR 64678, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions in paragraph (b) of this section, INMARSAT–E EPIRBs must meet all the technical and performance standards contained in IEC 61097–5 Ed. 1.0, titled “Global maritime and distress safety system (GMDSS)—Part 5: INMARSAT–E—Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) operating through the INMARSAT system—Operational and performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results,” including Annexes A, B, and C, 1997. IEC 61097–5 Ed. 1.0, including Annexes A, B, and C, is incorporated by reference (see §80.1101).

(b) Prior to submitting a certification application for an INMARSAT–E radiobeacon, the radiobeacon must be certified by INMARSAT as complying with IEC 61097–5 Ed. 1.0. In addition, the radiobeacon must be tested as to compliance with the environmental and operational requirements identified in this paragraph (b) by the test facility which conducted the INMARSAT certification tests, or a test facility recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. Information regarding recognized test facilities may be obtained from Commandant (G–MSE), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20593–0001, http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mse/lablist/161.011.htm.

(1) After an INMARSAT–E PIRB has been certified by the test facility, the following information must be submitted in duplicate to the Commandant (G–MSE), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 2nd Street, SW., Washington D.C. 20593–0001:

(i) The name of the manufacturer or grantee and the model number of the radiobeacon;

(ii) Copies of the Inmarsat certification of compliance with IEC 61097–5 Ed. 1.0;

(iii) Copies of the test report and test data obtained from the test facility showing that the radiobeacon complies with IEC 61097–5 Ed. 1.0 and the environmental and operational requirements identified in this paragraph (b); and

(iv) Instruction manuals associated with the radiobeacon, description of the test characteristics of the radiobeacon including assembly drawings, electrical schematics, description of parts list, specifications of materials, and the manufacturer's quality assurance program.

(2) After reviewing the information described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the U.S. Coast Guard will issue a letter stating whether the radiobeacon satisfies all of the requirements specified in paragrpahs (a) and (b) of this section.

(c) A certification application for an INMARSAT–EPIRB submitted to the Commission must also contain a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard letter stating that the radiobeacon satisfies all of the requirements specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, a copy of the technical test data, and the instruction manual(s).

(d) The manufacturer or grantee must include with each marketable INMARSAT–E EPIRB appropriate material for registration of the radiobeacon with INMARSAT, along with a written warning that failure to register the radiobeacon could delay rescue services in an emergency.

(e) To enhance protection of life and property it is mandatory that each INMARSAT–E EPIRB be registered with INMARSAT before installation and that information be kept up-to-date. Therefore, in addition to the identification plate or label requirements contained in §§2.925 and 2.926 of this chapter, each INMARSAT–E EPIRB must be provided on the outside with a clearly discernable permanent plate or label containing the following statement: “The owner of this INMARSAT–E EPIRB must register the NOAA identification code contained on this label with INMARSAT at the following address: INMARSAT, 99 City Road, London, EC1Y 1AX, United Kingdom.” Vessel owners shall advise INMARSAT in writing upon change of vessel or EPIRB ownership, transfer of EPIRB to another vessel, or any other change in registration information.

(f) For INMARSAT–E EPIRBs whose identification code can be changed after manufacture, the identification code shown on the plate or label must be easily replaceable using commonly available tools.

[69 FR 64678, Nov. 8, 2004]

This subpart contains the rules applicable to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Every ship of the United States subject to part II of title III of the Communications Act or the Safety Convention must comply with the provisions of this subpart. The rules in this subpart are to be read in conjunction with the applicable requirements contained elsewhere in this part; however, in case of conflict, the provisions of this subpart shall govern with respect to the GMDSS. For the purposes of this subpart, distress and safety communications include distress, urgency, and safety calls and messages.

Source:  57 FR 9065, Mar. 16, 1992, unless otherwise noted.

Note: No provision of this subpart is intended to eliminate, or in anyway modify, other requirements contained in this part with respect to part II of title III of the Communications Act.

(a) The regulations contained in §80.1119 apply to public coast stations and coast earth stations as of February 1, 1992.

(b) The regulations contained within this subpart apply to all passenger ships regardless of size and cargo ships of 300 tons gross tonnage and upwards as follows:

(1) Ships must comply with §§80.1085(a)(4) and 80.1085(a)(6) not later than August 1, 1993.

(2) Ships constructed on or after February 1, 1992, must comply with §80.1095 as of that date. All other ships must comply with §80.1095 as of February 1, 1995.

(3) Ships constructed on or after February 1, 1995, must comply with all requirements of this subpart.

(4) Ships constructed before February 1, 1995, must comply with all requirements of this subpart as of February 1, 1999.

(5) During the period between February 1, 1992, and February 1, 1999, all ships must comply with:

(i) The requirements of this subpart;

(ii) The requirements of chapter IV of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, in force prior to February 1, 1992 (see subparts Q and R of this part); or

(iii) The requirements of either §80.836 or §80.933.

(6) The expression “ships constructed” means “ships the keels of which are laid, or construction identificable with a specific ship begins and assembly of that ship has commenced comprising at least 50 tons gross tonnage or 1% of the estimated mass f all structural material, whichever is less.

(c) The requirements of this subpart do not modify the requirements for ships navigated on the Great Lakes or small passenger boats. The requirements contained in the Agreement Between the United States of America and Canada for Promotion of Safety on the Great Lakes by Means of Radio, 1973, continue to apply (see subpart T of this part). The requirements contained in part III of title III of the Communications Act continue to apply (see subpart S of this part).

(d) No provision in this subpart is intended to prevent the use by any ship, survival craft, or person in distress, of any means at their disposal to attract attention, make known their position and obtain help.

[57 FR 9065, Mar. 16, 1992, as amended at 60 FR 58245, Nov. 27, 1995; 60 FR 62927, Dec. 7, 1995]

(a) Ships must have the required equipment inspected at least once every 12 months by an FCC-licensed technician holding a GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License. If the ship passes the inspection the technician will issue a Safety Certificate. Safety Certificates may be obtained from the Commission's National Call Center at 1–888–CALL FCC (1–888–225–5322) or from its field offices. The effective date of the ship Safety Certificate is the date the station is found to be in compliance or not later than one business day later. The FCC-licensed technician must use the latest FCC Information Bulletin, How to Conduct a GMDSS Inspection. Contact the FCC's National Call Center at 1–888–CALL FCC (1–888–225–5322) to request a copy.

(b) Certificates issued in accordance with the Safety Convention must be posted in a prominent and accessible place on the ship.

[57 FR 9065, Mar. 16, 1992, as amended at 63 FR 29660, June 1, 1998]

(a) For the purpose of this subpart, a ship's area of operation is defined as follows:

(1) Sea area A1. An area within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one VHF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available as defined by the International Maritime Organization.

(2) Sea area A2. An area, excluding sea area A1, within the radiotelephone coverage of at least one MF coast station in which continuous DSC alerting is available as defined by the International Maritime Organization.

(3) Sea area A3. An area, excluding sea areas A1 and A2, within the coverage of an INMARSAT geostationary satellite in which continuous alerting is available.

(4) Sea area A4. An area outside sea areas A1, A2 and A3.

(b) Maritime sea areas are delineated in the International Maritime Organization Publication GMDSS Master Plan of Shore-Based Facilities. The Master Plan can be purchased from the International Maritime Organization, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR, United Kingdom.

(a) In certain circumstances, partial or conditional exemptions may be granted to individual ships from the requirements of §§80.1085, 80.1087, 80.1089, 80.1091, and 80.1093 provided: such ships comply with the functional requirements of §80.1081 and a showing is made that such an exemption will not have a material effect upon the general efficiency of the service for the safety of all ships.

(b) An exemption may be granted under paragraph (a) of this section only:

(1) If the conditions affecting safety are such as to render the full application of §§80.1085, 80.1087, 80.1089, 80.1091, and 80.1093 unreasonable or unnecessary or otherwise not in the public interest;

(2) In exceptional circumstances, for a single voyage outside the sea area or sea areas for which the ship is equipped.

(c) All fishing vessels of 300 gross tons and upward are exempt from subpart W requirements applicable for carriage of VHF-DSC and MF-DSC equipment until one year after the USCG establishes GMDSS coast facilities for Sea Areas A1 and A2, if the following provisions are met:

(1) The ship is equipped with:

(i) A VHF radiotelephone installation meeting the requirements of §80.1101(c)(2).

(ii) A MF or HF radiotelephone installation meeting the requirements of §80.1101(c)(3) and (4).

(iii) A Category 1, 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB meeting the requirements of §80.1061;

(iv) A NAVTEX receiver meeting the requirements of §80.1101(c)(1);

(v) Survival craft equipment meeting the requirements of §80.1095;

(vi) A Search and Rescue Transponder meeting the requirements of §80.1101(c)(6); and

(2) The ship remains within coverage of a VHF coast station and maintains a continuous watch on VHF Channel 16; or

(3) The vessel remains within coverage of an MF coast station and maintains a continuous watch on 2182 kHz and VHF Channel 16.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46975, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Ships must carry at least two persons holding GMDSS Radio Operator's Licenses as specified in §13.2 of this chapter for distress and safety radiocommunications purposes. The GMDSS Radio Operator's License qualifies personnel as GMDSS radio operator for the purposes of operating GMDSS radio installation, including basic equipment adjustments as denoted in knowledge requirements specified in §13.21 of this chapter.

(1) A qualified GMDSS radio operator must be designated to have primary responsibility for radiocommunications during distress incidents, except if the vessel operates exclusively within twenty nautical miles of shore, in which case a qualified restricted radio operator may be so designated.

(2) A second qualified GMDSS radio operator must be designated as backup for distress and safety radiocommunications, except if the vessel operates exclusively within twenty nautical miles of shore, in which case a qualified restricted GMDSS radio operator may be so designated.

(b) A qualified GMDSS radio operator, and a qualified backup, as specified in paragraph (a) of this section must be:

(1) Available to act as the dedicated radio operator in cases of distress as described in §80.1109(a);

(2) Designated to perform as part of normal routine each of the applicable communications described in §80.1109(b);

(3) Responsible for selecting HF DSC guard channels and receiving scheduled maritime safety information broadcasts;

(4) Designated to perform communications described in §80.1109(c);

(5) Responsible for ensuring that the watches required by §80.1123 are properly maintained; and

(6) Responsible for ensuring that the ship's navigation position is entered into all installed DSC equipment, either automatically through a connected or integral navigation receiver, or manually at least every four hours when the ship is underway.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46975, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Ships that elect the at-sea option for maintenance of GMDSS equipment (see §80.1105) must carry at least one person who qualifies as a GMDSS radio maintainer, as specified in paragraph (b) of this section, for the maintenance and repair of equipment specified in this subpart. This person may be, but need not be, the person designated as GMDSS radio operator as specified in §80.1073.

(b) The following licenses qualify personnel as GMDSS radio maintainers to perform at-sea maintenance of equipment specified in this subpart. For the purposes of this subpart, no order is intended by this listing or the alphanumeric designator.

(1) GM: GMDSS Maintainer's License;

(2) GB: GMDSS Operator's/Maintainer's License.

(c) While at sea, all adjustments of radio installations, servicing, or maintenance of such installations that may affect the proper operation of the GMDSS station must be performed by, or under the immediate supervision and responsibility of, a qualified GMDSS radio maintainer as specified in paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) The GMDSS radio maintainer must possess the knowledge covering the requirements set forth in IMO Assembly on Training for Radio Personnel (GMDSS), Annex 5 and IMO Assembly on Radio Maintenance Guidelines for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System related to Sea Areas A3 and A4.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 63 FR 49872, Sept. 18, 1998; 68 FR 46976, Aug. 7, 2003]]

A record must be kept, as required by the Radio Regulations and §80.409 (a), (b) and (e), of all incidents connected with the radiocommunication service which appear to be of importance to safety of life at sea.

The following table describes the frequencies used in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System:

[69 FR 64678, Nov. 8, 2004]

Ships, while at sea, must be capable:

(a) Except as provided in §§80.1087(a)(1) and 80.1091(a)(4)(iii), of transmitting ship-to-shore distress alerts by at least two separate and independent means, each using a different radiocommunication service;

(b) Of receiving shore-to-ship distress alerts;

(c) Of transmitting and receiving ship-to-ship distress alerts;

(d) Of transmitting and receiving search and rescue co-ordinating communications;

(e) Of transmitting and receiving on-scene communications;

(f) Of transmitting and receiving signals for locating;

(g) Of transmitting and receiving maritime safety information;

(h) Of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications to and from shore-based radio sytsems or networks; and

(i) Of transmitting and receiving bridge-to-bridge communications.

(a) Ships must be provided with radio installations capable of complying with the functional requirements prescribed by §80.1081 throughout its intended voyage and, unless exempted under §80.1071, complying with the requirements of §80.1085 and, as appropriate for the sea area of areas through which it will pass during its intended voyage, the requirements of either §§80.1087, 80.1089, 80.1091, or 80.1093.

(b) The radio installation must:

(1) Be so located that no harmful interference of mechanical, electrical or other origin affects its proper use, and so as to ensure electromagnetic compatibility and avoidance of harmful interaction with other equipment and systems;

(2) Be so located as to ensure the greatest possible degree of safety and operational availability;

(3) Be protected against harmful effects of water, extremes of temperature and other adverse environmental conditions;

(4) Be provided with reliable, permanently arranged electrical lighting, independent of the main and emergency sources of electrical power, for the adequate illumination of the radio controls for operating the radio installation; and

(5) Be clearly marked with the call sign, the ship station identity and other codes as applicable for the use of the radio installation.

(c) Control of the VHF radiotelephone channels required for navigational safety must be immediately available on the navigating bridge convenient to the conning position and, where necessary, facilities should be available to permit radiocommunications from the wings of the navigating bridge. Portable VHF equipment may be used to meet the latter provision.

(d) A Shipborne Integrated Radiocommunication System (IRCS) may be utilized to integrate all GMDSS equipment into a standard operator's console. Such installation must be type accepted in accordance with §80.1103 and meet the requirements of IMO Assembly Resolution A.811(19), “Performance Standards for a Shipborne Integrated Radiocommunication System (IRCS) When Used in the GMDSS,” with Annex, adopted 23 November 1995. IMO Assembly Resolution A.811(19) with Annex is incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of this standard can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The IMO standards can be purchased from Publications, International Maritime Organization, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR, United Kingdom.

(e) In passenger ships, a distress panel shall be installed at the conning position. This panel shall contain either one single button which, when pressed, initiates a distress alert using all radiocommunications installations required on board for that purpose or one button for each individual installation. The panel shall clearly and visually indicate whenever any button or buttons have been pressed. Means shall be provided to prevent inadvertent activation of the button or buttons. If the satellite EPIRB is used as the secondary means of distress alerting and is not remotely activated, it shall be acceptable to have an additional EPIRB installed in the wheelhouse near the conning position.

(f) In passenger ships, information on the ship's position shall be continuously and automatically provided to all relevant radiocommunications equipment to be included in the initial distress alert when the button or buttons on the distress panel is pressed.

(g) In passenger ships, a distress alarm panel shall be installed at the conning position. The distress alarm panel shall provide visual and aural indication of any distress alert or alerts received on board and shall also indicate through which radiocommunication service the distress alerts have been received.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46976, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64679, Nov. 8, 2004]

This section contains the general equipment requirements for all ships subject to this subpart.

(a) Ships must be provided with:

(1) A VHF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving:

(i) DSC on the frequency 156.525 MHz (channel 70), and it must be able to initiate the transmission of distress alerts on channel 70 from the position from which the ship is normally navigated; and

(ii) Radiotelephony on the frequencies 156.300 MHz (channel 6), 156.650 MHz (channel 13), and 156.800 MHz (channel 16);

(2) A dedicated, non-scanning radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on VHF channel 70 which may be separate from, or combined with, that required by paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section;

(3) A radar transponder capable of operating in the 9 GHz band, which must be stowed so that it is easily utilized (this transponder may be one of those required by §80.1095(b) for a survival craft);

(4) A receiver capable of receiving international NAVTEX service broadcasts;

(5) If the ship is engaged on voyages in any area of INMARSAT coverage in which an international NAVTEX service is not provided, a radio facility for reception of maritime safety information by the INMARSAT enhanced group calling system, i.e., SafetyNet, (this requirement does not apply to ships engaged exclusively on voyages in areas where an HF direct-printing telegraphy maritime safety information service, as identified by the IMO GMDSS Master Plan Publication, is provided and the ship is fitted with equipment capable of receiving such service); and

(6) A satellite emergency position-indicating radio beacon (satellite EPIRB) which must be:

(i) Capable of transmitting a distress alert through the polar orbiting satellite service operating in the 406.0–406.1 MHz band (406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB) of, if the ship is not operating in sea area A4, as defined in §80.1069(a)(4), the 1.6 GHz band (INMARSAT–E EPIRB); and

(ii) Installed in an easily accessible position, ready to be manually released and capable of being carried by one person into a survival craft, capable of floating free if the ship sinks and of being automatically activated when afloat, and capable of being activated manually.

(iii) Examined and tested annually in accordance with IMO Circular MSC/Circ.882, Guidelines on annual testing of 406 MHz satellite EPIRBs. See §80.1105(k).

(b) Ships must carry either the most recent edition of the IMO publication entitled GMDSS Master Plan of Shore-Based Facilities, the U.S. NIMA Publication 117, or the Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume 5 Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. Notice of new editions will be published on the Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau web page under “Marine Services” and information will be provided about obtaining the new document.

(c) All GMDSS equipment capable of transmitting an automatic distress alert which includes position of the ship must have either an integral navigation receiver or capability of being connected to an external navigation receiver. If an external navigation receiver is installed, it shall be connected to all of the alerting devices referred to in paragraph (a) of this section. If there is no navigation receiver, the position must be entered manually for each alerting device at least once every 4 hours (at the change of the navigation watch).

(d) Every passenger ship shall be provided with means for two-way on-scene radiocommunications for search and rescue purposes using the aeronautical frequencies 121.5 and 123.1 MHz from the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 60 FR 50122, Sept. 28, 1995; 68 FR 46977, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64679, Nov. 8, 2004]

This section contains the additional equipment requirements for ships that remain within sea area A1 at all times.

(a) In addition to meeting the requirements of §80.1085, ships engaged on voyages exclusively in sea area A1 must be provided with a radio installation capable of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts from the position from which the ship is normally navigated, operating either:

(1) On VHF using DSC; or

(2) Through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406.0–406.1 MHz or the INMARSAT–E service in the 1.6 GHz band (this requirement may be fulfilled by the EPIRB required by §80.1085(a)(6), either by installing the EPIRB close to, or by allowing remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated); or

(3) On MF using DSC if the ship is engaged on voyages within coverage of MF coast stations equipped with DSC; or

(4) On HF using DSC; or

(5) Through the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service if within INMARSAT coverage. This requirement may be fulfilled by an INMARSAT ship earth station capable of two way communication.

(b) The VHF radio installation, required by §80.1085(a)(1), must also be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications using radiotelephony.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46977, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64680, Nov. 8, 2004]

This section contains the additional equipment requirements for ships that remain within sea areas A1 or A2 at all times. Ships fitting in accordance with this section satisfy the sea area A1 requirements denoted in §80.1087.

(a) In addition to meeting the requirements of §80.1085, ships engaged on voyages beyond sea area A1, but remaining within sea area A2, must be provided with:

(1) An MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress and safety purposes, on the frequencies:

(i) 2187.5 kHz using DSC; and

(ii) 2182 kHz using radiotelephony;

(2) A radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2187.5 kHz which may be separate from or combined with, that required by paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section; and

(3) Means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radio service other than MF operating either:

(i) Through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406.0–406.1 MHz or the INMARSAT–E service in the 1.6 GHz band (this requirement may be fulfilled by the EPIRB required by §80.1085(a)(6), either by installing the EPIRB close to, or by allowing remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated); or

(ii) On HF using DSC; or

(iii) Through the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service if within INMARSAT coverage; this requirement may be fulfilled by an INMARSAT ship earth station.

(b) It must be possible to initiate transmission of distress alerts by the radio installations specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(3) of this section from the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

(c) Ships subject to this section must be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications using radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy by either:

(1) A radio installation operating on working frequencies in the bands between 1605–4000 kHz or between 4000–27500 kHz (this requirement may be fulfilled by the addition of this capability to the equipment required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section); or

(2) An INMARSAT ship earth station.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46977, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64680, Nov. 8, 2004]

This section contains the additional equipment requirements for ships that remain within sea areas A1, A2, or A3 at all times. Ships fitting in accordance with this section satisfy the requirements denoted in §§80.1087 or 80.1089 for sea-areas A1 and A2. Ships fitting in accordance to this section have the option to comply with either the requirements of paragraph (a) or (b) of this section.

(a) In addition to meeting the requirements of §80.1085, ships subject to this section must be provided with:

(1) An INMARSAT ship earth station capable of:

(i) Transmitting and receiving distress and safety communications using direct-printing telegraphy;

(ii) Initiating and receiving distress priority calls;

(iii) Maintaining watch for shore-to-ship distress alert, including those directed to specifically defined geographical areas;

(iv) Transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications, using either radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy; and

(2) An MF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving, for distress and safety purposes, on the frequencies:

(i) 2187.5 kHz using DSC; and

(ii) 2182 kHz using radiotelephony; and

(3) A radio installation capable of maintaining a continuous DSC watch on the frequency 2187.5 kHz which may be separate from or combined with that required by paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section; and

(4) Means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radio service operating either:

(i) Through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406.0–406.1 MHz or the INMARSAT–E service in the 1.6 GHz band (this requirement may be fulfilled by the EPIRB required by §80.1085(a)(6), either by installing the EPIRB close to, or by allowing remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated); or

(ii) On HF using DSC: or

(iii) Through the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service, by an additional ship earth station.

Note to paragraph (a)(4)(iii). For ships subject to this subpart, sailing only in domestic waters, alternative satellite system fitting may be considered. However, the satellite system fitted must comply with all features of the INMARSAT system for its intended function. These are shown in IMO Assembly Resolution A.801(19) Appendix 13, Annex 5, “Criteria for Use When Providing Inmarsat Shore-Based Facilities for Use in the GMDSS,” adopted 23 November 1995, and in IMO Assembly Resolution A.888(21), “Criteria for the Provision of Mobile Satellite Communication Systems in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS),” with Annex, adopted 25 November 1999. In any case, the alternative satellite system must provide continuous coverage for all sea areas in which the ship intends to sail. IMO Assembly Resolution A.801(19) Appendix 13, Annex 5, and IMO Assembly Resolution A.888(21) with Annex are incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of these standards can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The IMO standards can be purchased from Publications, International Maritime Organization, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR, United Kingdom.

(b) In addition to meeting the requirements of §80.1085, ships subject to this section must be provided with:

(1) An MF/HF radio installation capable of transmitting and receiving on all distress and safety frequencies in the bands between 1605–27500 kHz using DSC, radiotelephony, and narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy; and

(2) Equipment capable of maintaining DSC watch on 2187.5 kHz, 8414.5 kHz and on at least one of the distress and safety DSC frequencies 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12577 kHz, or 16804.5 kHz although it must be possible to select any of these DSC distress and safety frequencies at any time (this equipment may be separate from, or combined with, the equipment required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section); and

(3) Means of initiating the transmission of ship-to-shore distress alerts by a radiocommunication service other than HF operating either:

(i) Through the polar orbiting satellite service on 406.0–406.1 MHz (this requirement may be fulfilled by the 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB required by §80.1085(a)(6), either by installing the 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRB close to, or by allowing remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated); or

(ii) Through the INMARSAT–E service in the 1.6 GHz band (this requirement may be fulfilled by the EPIRB required by §80.1085(a)(6), either by installing the EPIRB close to, or by allowing remote activation from, the position from which the ship is normally navigated); or

(iii) Through the INMARSAT geostationary satellite service (this requirement may be fulfilled by an INMARSAT ship earth station).

(4) In addition, ships must be capable of transmitting and receiving general radiocommunications using radiotelephony or direct-printing telegraphy by an MF/HF radio installation operating on working frequencies in the bands between 1605–4000 kHz and between 4000–27500 kHz (this requirement may be fulfilled by the addition of this capability to the equipment required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section).

(c) It must be possible to initiate transmission of distress alerts by the radio installations specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(4), (b)(1), and (b)(3) of this section from the position from which the ship is normally navigated.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46977, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64680, Nov. 8, 2004]

This section contains the additional equipment requirements for ships that sail in all sea areas, i.e., sea areas A1, A2, A3, and A4. Ships fitting in accordance with this section satisfy the requirements denoted in §§80.1087, 80.1089, and 80.1091 for sea areas A1, A2, and A3.

(a) In addition to meeting the requirements of §80.1085 of this part, ships engaged on voyages in all sea areas must be provided with the radio installations and equipment required by §80.1091(b), except that the equipment required by §80.1091(b)(3)(ii) and §80.1091(b)(3)(iii) cannot be accepted as an alternative to that required by §80.1091(b)(3)(i), which must always be provided.

(b) Ships engaged on voyages in all sea areas also must comply with the requirements of §80.1091(c).

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 69 FR 64680, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) At least three two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus must be provided on every passenger ship and on every cargo ship of 500 tons gross tonnage and upwards. At least two two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus must be provided on every cargo ship of between 300–500 tons gross tonnage. Portable two-way VHF radiotelephones must be stowed in such locations that they can be rapidly placed in any survival craft other than liferafts required by Regulation III/26.1.4 of the SOLAS Convention. Alternatively, survival craft may be fitted with a fixed two-way VHF radiotelephone installation. Two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus, portable or fixed, must conform to performance standards as specified in §80.1101. Two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus provided on board ships prior to February 1, 1992, and not complying fully with the performance standards specified in §80.1101, may be used until February 1, 1999, provided it is compatible with approved two-way VHF radiotelephone apparatus.

(b) At least one radar transponder must be carried on each side of every passenger ship and every cargo ship of 500 tons gross tonnage and upwards. At least one radar transponder must be carried on every cargo ship of 300 tons gross tonnage and upwards but less than 500 tons gross tonnage. Such radar transponders must conform to performance standards as specified in §80.1101. The radar transponders must be stowed in such locations that they can be rapidly placed in any survival craft other than liferafts required on cargo ships in forward and aft areas (see Regulation III/26.1.4 of the SOLAS Convention). Alternatively, one radar transponder must be stowed in each survival craft other than those required by Regulation III/26.1.4 of the SOLAS Convention. One of these radar transponders may be radar transponder required by §80.1085(a)(3).

(c) Survival craft equipment must be tested at intervals not to exceed twelve months. For batteries used for survival craft equipment, the month and year of its manufacture must be permanently marked on the battery. Also, the month and year upon which 50 percent of its useful life will expire must be permanently marked on both the battery and the outside of the transmitter. Batteries must be replaced if 50 percent of their useful life has expired or if the transmitter has been used in an emergency situation.

(a) There must be available at all times, while the ship is at sea, a supply of electrical energy sufficient to operate the radio installations and to charge any batteries used as part of a reserve source of energy for the radio installations.

(b) A reserve source of energy to supply radio installations must be provided on every ship for the purpose of conducting distress and safety radiocommunications, in the event of failure of the ship's main and emergency sources of electrical power. The reserve sources of energy must be capable of simultaneously operating the VHF radio installation required by §80.1085(a)(1) and, as appropriate for the sea area or sea areas for which the ship is equipped, either the MF radio installation required by §80.1089(a)(1), the MF/HF radio installation required by §80.1091(a)(2)(i) or §80.1093(a), or the INMARSAT ship earth station required by §80.1091(a)(1) and any of the additional loads mentioned in paragraphs (d), (e) and (h) of this section for a period of at least:

(1) One hour, on ships constructed on or after February 1, 1995;

(2) One hour, on ships constructed before February 1, 1995, if the emergency source of electrical power complies fully with all relevant requirements of SOLAS, Chapter II–1, Regulation 42 or 43 (as amended); or

(3) Six hours, on ships constructed before February 1, 1995, and on cargo ships of less than 500 tons gross tonnage, if the emergency source of electrical power is not provided or does not comply fully with all relevant requirements of SOLAS, Chapter II–1, Regulation 42 or 43 (as amended).

(c) The reserve sources of energy need not supply independent HF and MF radio installations at the same time. The reserve sources of energy must be independent of the propelling power of the ship and the ship's electrical system.

(d) Where, in addition to the VHF radio installation, two or more of the other radio installations, referred to in paragraph (b) of this section, can be connected to the reserve sources of energy, they must be capable of simultaneously supplying, for one hour, as specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the VHF radio installation and;

(1) All other radio installations which can be connected to the reserve sources of energy at the same time; or

(2) Whichever of the other radio installations will consume the most power, if only one of the other radio installations can be connected to the reserve sources of energy at the same time as the VHF radio installation.

(e) The reserve sources of energy may be used to supply the electrical lighting required by §80.1083(b)(4).

(f) Where a reserve source of energy consists of a rechargeable accumulator battery or batteries:

(1) A means of automatically charging such batteries must be provided which must be capable of recharging them to minimum capacity requirements within 10 hours; and

(2) Battery charge levels should be checked at intervals of 30 days or less with equipment turned ON and the battery charger turned OFF. Portable equipment with primary batteries such as EPIRBs and SARTs should be checked at the same intervals using methods recommended by the manufacturer. The results of battery checks should be recorded in the radio log.

(g) The accumulator batteries which provide a reserve source of energy must be installed to ensure: The highest degree of service, a reasonable lifetime, reasonable safety; that the battery temperatures remain within the manufacturer's specifications whether under charge or idle; and that when fully charged, the batteries will provide at least the minimum required hours of operation under all weather conditions.

(h) If an uninterrupted input of information from the ship's navigational or other equipment to a radio installation required by this subpart (including the navigational receiver referred to in SOLAS Chapter IV, Regulation 18) is needed to ensure its proper performance, means must be provided to ensure the continuous supply of such information in the event of failure of the ship's main or emergency source of electrical power.

(i) An uninterruptible power supply or other means of ensuring a continuous supply of electrical power, within equipment tolerances, shall be provided to all GMDSS equipment that could be affected by normal variations and interruptions of ship's power.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46977, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The abbreviations used in this section are as follows:

(1) International Maritime Organization (IMO).

(2) International Telecommunication Union—Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (ITU-T) (Standards formerly designated as CCITT are now designated as ITU-T.)

(3) International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

(4) International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

(5) International Telecommunication Union—Radiocommunication Bureau (ITU-R) (Standards formerly designated as CCIR are now designated as ITU-R.)

(b) All equipment specified in this subpart must meet the general requirements for shipboard equipment in conformity with performance specifications listed in this paragraph, which are incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(1) IMO Resolution A.694(17), “General Requirements for Shipborne Radio Equipment Forming Part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and for Electronic Navigational Aids,” adopted 6 November 1991.

(2) ITU-T Recommendation E.161, “Arrangement of Digits, Letters and Symbols on Telephones and Other Devices that Can Be Used for Gaining Access to a Telephone Network,” 1993.

(3) ITU-T Recommendation E.164.1, “Series E: Overall Network Operation, Telephone Service, Service Operation and Human Factors; Operation, Numbering, Routing and Mobile Services—International Operation—Numbering Plan of the International Telephone Service: Criteria and Procedures for the Reservation, Assignment, and Reclamation of E.164 Country Codes and Associated Identification Codes (ICs),” March 1998.

(4) IEC Publication 92–101, “Electrical Installations in Ships,” Third Edition 1980 with amendments through 1984.

(5) IEC Publication 533, “Electromagnetic Compatibility of Electrical and Electronic Installations in Ships,” First Edition 1977.

(6) IEC Publication 60945, “Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems—General requirements—Methods of testing and required test results,” Edition 4.0, with Annexes, August 2002.

(7) ISO Standard 3791, “Office Machines and Data Processing Equipment—Keyboard Layouts for Numeric Applications,” First Edition 1976(E).

(c) The equipment specified in this subpart must also conform to the appropriate performance standards listed in paragraphs (c)(1) through (10) of this section, which are incorporated by reference, and must be tested in accordance with the applicable IEC testing standards listed in paragraph (c)(11) of this section, and are also incorporated by reference.

(1) NAVTEX receivers: (i) IMO Resolution A.525(13), “Performance Standards for Narrow-band Direct Printing Telegraph Equipment for the Reception of Navigational and Meteorological Warnings and Urgent Information to Ships,” including Annex, adopted 17 November 1983.

(ii) ITU-R Recommendation M.540–2, “Operational and Technical Characteristics for an Automated Direct-printing Telegraph System for Promulgation of Navigational and Meteorological Warnings and Urgent Information to Ships,” including Annexes, 1990.

(2) VHF radio equipment: (i) IMO Resolution A.803(19), “Performance Standards for Shipborne VHF Radio Installations Capable of Voice Communication and Digital Selective Calling,” with Annex, adopted 23 November 1995, as amended by IMO Resolution MSC.68(68), “Adoption of Amendments to Performance Standards for Shipborne Radiocommunication Equipment,” GMDSS terrestrial communications—1.1(c), adopted 6 June 1997.

(ii) ITU-R Recommendation M.493–10, “Digital Selective-calling System for Use in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes 1 and 2, 2000, and ITU-R Recommendation M.541–8, “Operational Procedures for the Use of Digital Selective-Calling Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes, 1997.

(3) MF radio equipment: (i) IMO Resolution 804(19), “Performance Standards for Shipborne MF Radio Installations Capable of Voice Communication and Digital Selective Calling,” with Annex, adopted 23 November 1995, as amended by IMO Resolution MSC.68(68), “Adoption of Amendments to Performance Standards for Shipborne Radiocommunication Equipment,” GMDSS terrestrial communications—1.2(c), adopted 6 June 1997.

(ii) ITU-R Recommendation M.493–10, “Digital Selective-calling System for Use in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes 1 and 2, 2000, and ITU-R Recommendation M.541–8, “Operational Procedures for the Use of Digital Selective-Calling Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes, 1997.

(4) MF/HF radio equipment: (i) IMO Resolution A.806(19), “Performance Standards for Shipborne MF/HF Radio Installations Capable of Voice Communication, Narrow-Band Direct Printing and Digital Selective Calling,” with Annex, adopted 23 November 1995, as amended by IMO Resolution MSC.68(68), “Adoption of Amendments to Performance Standards for Shipborne Radiocommunication Equipment,” GMDSS terrestrial communications—1.3(c), adopted 6 June 1997.

(ii) ITU-R Recommendation M.493–10, “Digital Selective-calling System for Use in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes 1 and 2, 2000, and ITU-R Recommendation M.541–8, “Operational Procedures for the Use of Digital Selective-Calling Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes, 1997.

(iii) ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3, “Direct-Printing Telegraph Equipment Employing Automatic Identification in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995, ITU-R Recommendation M.493–10, “Digital Selective-calling System for Use in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes 1 and 2, 2000. Equipment may conform to ITU-R Recommendation M.476–5, “Direct-Printing Telegraph Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995, in lieu of ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3 with Annex, 1995, where such equipment was installed on ships prior to February 1, 1993.

(iv) IMO Resolution A.700(17), “Performance Standards for Narrow-band Direct-printing Telegraph Equipment for the Reception of Navigational and Meteorological Warnings and Urgent Information to Ships (MSI) by HF,” adopted 6 November 1991.

(5) 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRBs: (i) IMO Resolution A.810(19), “Performance Standards for Float-free Satellite Emergency Position-indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) Operating on 406 MHz,” with Annex, adopted 23 November 1995, and IMO Resolution A.812(19), “Performance Standards for Float-free Satellite Emergency Position-indicating Radio Beacons Operating Through the Geostationary INMARSAT Satellite System on 1.6 GHz,” with Annex, adopted 23 November 1995.

(ii) IMO Resolution A.662(16), “Performance Standards for Float-free Release and Activation Arrangements for Emergency Radio Equipment,” adopted 19 October 1989.

(iii) ITU-R Recommendation M.633–2, “Transmission Characteristics of a Satellite Emergency Position-indicating Radiobeacon (Satellite EPIRB) System Operating Through a Low Polar-orbiting Satellite System in the 406 MHz Band,” 2000.

(iv) The 406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRBs must also comply with §80.1061.

(6) 9 GHz radar transponders: (i) IMO Resolution A.802(19), “Performance Standards for Survival Craft Radar Transponders for Use in Search and Rescue Operations,” with Annex, adopted 23 November 1995.

(ii) ITU-R Recommendation M.628–3, “Technical Characteristics for Search and Rescue Radar Transponders,” with Annexes, 1994.

(7) Two-Way VHF radiotelephone: (i) IMO Resolution A.809(19), “Performance Standards for Survival Craft Two-Way VHF Radiotelephone Apparatus,” including Annexes 1 and 2, adopted 23 November 1995.

(ii) IMO Resolution MSC.80(70), “Adoption of New Performance Standards for Radiocommunication Equipment,” with Annexes, adopted 8 December 1998.

(8) INMARSAT Ship Earth Station Capable of Two-Way Communications: IMO Resolution A.808(19), “Performance Standards for Ship Earth Stations Capable of Two-Way Communications,” with Annex, adopted 23 November 1995.

(9) INMARSAT-C SES: IMO Resolution A.807(19), “Performance Standards for INMARSAT-C Ship Earth Stations Capable of Transmitting and Receiving Direct-Printing Communications,” with Annex, adopted 23 November 1995, as amended by IMO Resolution MSC.68(68), “Adoption of Amendments to Performance Standards for Shipborne Radiocommunication Equipment,” Satellite communications—2.3(c), adopted 6 June 1997.

(10) INMARSAT EGC: IMO Resolution A.664(16), “Performance Standards for Enhanced Group Call Equipment,” adopted 19 October 1989.

(11) INMARSAT–E EPIRBs: (i) IMO Resolution A.812(19), “Performance Standards for Float-Free Satellite EPIRBs Operating Through the Geostationary INMARSAT Satellite System on 1.6 GHz,” adopted 23 November 1995, and Annex, “Recommendation on Performance.”.

(ii) IMO Resolution A.662(16), “Performance Standards for Float-Free Release and Activation Arrangements for Emergency Radio Equipment,” with Annex, adopted 19 October 1989.

(iii) Recommendation ITU–R M.632–3, “Transmission Characteristics of a Satellite Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (Satellite EPIRB) System Operating Through Geostationary Satellites in the 1.6 GHz Band,” 1997.

(iv) IEC 61097–5, First Edition “Global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS)—Part 5: Inmarsat–E Emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) operating through the Inmarsat system—operational and performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results,” including Annexes A, B, and C, 1997.

(v) The INMARSAT E–EPIRBs must also comply with §80.1063.

(12) Automatic Identification Systems (AIS): (i) ITU–R M.1371–1, “Technical characteristics for a universal shipborne automatic identification system using time division multiple access in the VHF maritime mobile band,” with Annexes, August 2001.

(ii) IMO Resolution MSC.74(69), “Adoption of New and Amended Performance Standards, Annex 3 Recommendation on Performance Standards for a Universal Shipborne Automatic Identification Systems (AIS),” adopted 12 May 1998.

(iii) IEC 61162–1, Second Edition, “Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems—Digital interfaces—Part 1: Single talker and multiple listeners,” July 2000.

(iv) IEC 61162–100, Edition 1.0, “Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems—Digital interfaces—Part 100: Single talker and multiple listeners—Extra requirements to IEC 61162–1 for the UAIS,” April 2002.

(v) IEC 61993–2, First Edition, “Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems—Automatic identification systems (AIS)—Part 2: Class A shipborne equipment of the universal automatic identification system (AIS)—Operational and performance requirements, methods of test and required test results,” December 2001, with Annexes.

(13) Standards for testing GMDSS equipment:

(i) IEC 1097–1 Ed 1.0, “Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)—Part 1: Radar transponder—Marine Search and Rescue (SART)—Operational and Performance Requirements, Methods of Testing and Required Test Results,” with Annexes, July 1992.

(ii) IEC 1097–3 Ed 1.0, “Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)—Part 3: Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Equipment—Operational and Performance Requirements, Methods of Testing and Required Testing Results,” with Annexes, June 1994.

(iii) IEC 1097–4 Ed 1.0, “Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)—Part 4: INMARSAT-C Ship Earth Station and INMARSAT Enhanced Group Call (EGC) Equipment—Operational and Performance Requirements, Methods of Testing and Required Test Results,” with Annexes, November 1994.

(iv) IEC 1097–6 Ed 1.0, “Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)—Part 6: Narrowband direct-printing telegraph equipment for the reception of navigational and meteorological warnings and urgent information to ships (NAVTEX)—Operational and Performance Requirements, Methods of Testing and Required Test Results,” February 1995.

(v) IEC 1097–7 Ed 1.0, “Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)—Part 7: Shipborne VHF radiotelephone transmitter and receiver—Operational and Performance Requirements, Methods of Testing and Required Test Results,” with Annexes, October 1996.

(vi) IEC 61097–8 Ed 1.0, “Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)—Part 8: Shipborne watchkeeping receivers for the reception of digital selective calling (DSC) in the maritime MF, MF/HF, and VHF bands—Operational and Performance Requirements, Methods of Testing and Required Test Results,” with Annexes, September 1998.

(vii) IEC 61097–9 Ed 1.0, “Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)—Part 9: Shipborne Transmitters and Receivers for Use in the MF and HF Bands Suitable for Telephony, Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and Narrow Band Direct Printing (NBDP)—Operational and Performance Requirements, Methods of Testing and Required Test Results,” with Annexes, December 1997.

(viii) IEC 61097–10 Ed 1.0, “Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)—Part 10: INMARSAT-B Ship Earth Station Equipment—Operational and Performance Requirements, Methods of Testing and Required Test Results,” with Annexes, June 1999.

(ix) IEC 1097–12 Ed 1.0, “Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)—Part 12: Survival Craft Portable Two-Way VHF Radiotelephone Apparatus—Operational and Performance Requirements, Methods of Testing and Required Test Results,” with Annexes, November 1996.

(d) The documents referenced in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section have been approved for incorporation by reference by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Identification data and place to purchase for each of the referenced documents are listed as follows:

(1) Copies of IMO Resolutions, the 1974 SOLAS Convention, and the 1983 and 1988 amendments to the 1974 SOLAS Convention can be purchased from Publications, International Maritime Organization, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR, United Kingdom.

(i) IMO Resolution A.525(13) is contained in the Resolutions and Other Decisions of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization, 13th Session, 1983, (IMO, London, 1984), Sales Number 073 84.07.E.

(ii) IMO Resolutions A.802(19), A.803(19), A.804(19), A.806(19), A.807(19), A.808(19), A.810(19), A.811(19) and A.812(19) are contained in the Resolutions and Other Decisions of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization, 19th Session, 1995, (IMO, London, 1988), Sales Number IMO–194E ISBN No. 91–801–1416–6.

(iii) IMO Resolutions A.662(16) and A.664(16) are contained in the Resolutions and Other Decisions of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization, 16th Session, 1989, (IMO, London, 1990), Sales Number 136 90.04.E

(iv) IMO Resolutions A.694(17), and A.700(17) are contained in the Resolutions and Other Decisions of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization, 17th Session, 1991, (IMO, London, 1991), Sales Number IMO–142E ISBN No. 91–801–1281–3.

(2) ITU-R Recommendations, ITU Radio Regulations, and ITU-T publications can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

(i) All ITU-R Recommendations referenced in this section are contained in Recommendations of the ITU-R, Volume M series parts 3, 4, and 5.

(ii) ITU-T Recommendation E.161 is contained in Facicle II.2 Volume II—Telephone Network and ISDN Operation, Numbering, Routing and Mobile Service, (ITU, Geneva, 1989, revised in 1993 and 1995).

(iii) ITU-T Recommendation E.164.1 is contained in Facicle VI.1 Volume II Numbering Plan for the International Telephone Service, (ITU, Geneva, 1989, revised in 1997).

(3) IEC publications can be purchased from the International Electrotechnical Commission, 3 Rue de Varembe, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, or from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036, telephone (212) 642–4900.

(4) ISO Standards can be purchased from the International Organization for Standardization, 1 Rue de Varembe, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, or from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036, telephone (212) 642–4900.

(5) Copies of the publications listed in this section that are incorporated by reference can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., (room CY-A257), Washington, DC, or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

[68 FR 46977, Aug. 7, 2003, as amended at 69 FR 64680, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) All equipment specified in §80.1101 must be certificated in accordance with 47 CFR part 2 specifically for GMDSS use, except for equipment used in the INMARSAT space segment which must be type-approved by INMARSAT and verified in accordance with 47 CFR part 2 specifically for GMDSS use. The technical parameters of the equipment must conform to the performance standards as specified in §80.1101. For emergency position-indicating radiobeacons operating on 406.0–406.1 MHz (406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRBs) that were authorized prior to April 15, 1992, and meet the requirements of §80.1101, the manufacturer may attest by letter that the equipment (indicate FCC ID#) meets the requirements of §80.1101 and request that it be denoted as approved for GMDSS use.

(b) Applicants for certification must submit with their applications measurement data sufficiently complete to ensure compliance with the technical parameters. The application must include the items listed in 47 CFR 2.1033. Additional measurement data or information may be requested depending upon the equipment. For items not listed in §2.1033 of this chapter, the applicant must attest that the equipment complies with performance standards as specified in §80.1101 and, where applicable, that measurements have been made that demonstrate the necessary compliance. Submission of representative data demonstrating compliance is not required unless requested by the Commission.

(c) Applicants for verification must attest that the equipment complies with performance standards as specified in §80.1101 and, where applicable, that measurements have been made that demonstrate the necessary compliance. Submission of representative data demonstrating compliance is not required unless requested by the Commission. An application must include the items listed in §§2.953 and 2.955 of this chapter and a copy of the INMARSAT type-approval certification indicating that equipment meets GMDSS standards and includes all peripheral equipment associated with the specific unit under review.

(d) Submission of a sample unit is not required unless specifically requested by the Commission.

(e) In addition to the requirements in part 2 of this chapter, equipment specified in §80.1101 shall be labeled as follows: “This device complies with the GMDSS provisions of part 80 of the FCC rules.” Such a label is not required for emergency position-indicating radiobeacons operating on 406.0–406.1 MHz (406.0–406.1 MHz EPIRBs) that were authorized prior to April 15, 1992.

[57 FR 9065, Mar. 16, 1992, as amended at 57 FR 44702, Sept. 29, 1992; 63 FR 36607, July 7, 1998; 68 FR 46980, Aug. 7, 2003; 69 FR 64680, Nov. 8, 2004]

(a) Equipment must be so designed that the main units can be replaced readily, without elaborate recalibration or readjustment. Where applicable, equipment must be constructed and installed so that it is readily accessible for inspection and on-board maintenance purposes. Adequate information must be provided to enable the equipment to be properly operated and maintained (see IMO Resolution A.569(14)).

(b) Radio equipment required by this subpart must be maintained to provide the availability of the functional requirements specified in §80.1081 and to meet the performance standards specified in §80.1101.

(c) On ships engaged on voyages in sea areas A1 and A2, the availability must be ensured by duplication of equipment, shore-based maintenance, or at-sea electronic maintenance capability, or a combination of these.

(d) On ships engaged on voyages in sea areas A3 and A4, the availability must be ensured by using a combination of at least two of the following methods: duplication of equipment, shore-based maintenance, or at-sea electronic maintenance capability.

(e) Irrespective of the maintenance methods used, a ship must not depart from any port unless and until the ship is capable of performing all distress and safety functions as specified in §80.1081.

(f) Irrespective of the maintenance methods used, all manufacturers' instruction manuals and maintenance manuals for each piece of equipment required and installed must be available on-board ship. Adequate tools, spare parts, and test equipment appropriate to the methods used by the ship as recommended by the manufacturer should be provided. The manuals, tools, spare parts, and test equipment, as applicable, should be readily accessible.

(g) If the duplication of equipment maintenance method is used, the following radio installations, in addition to other equipment requirements specified in this subpart, must be available on-board ships for their sea areas as applicable. Equipment carried in accordance with this paragraph must comply with §§80.1101 and 80.1103. Additionally, each radio installation must be connected to a separate antenna and be installed and be ready for immediate operation.

(1) Ships, equipped in accordance with §80.1087 for sea area A1, must carry a VHF radio installation complying with the requirements of §80.1085(a)(1).

(2) Ships, equipped in accordance with §80.1089 for sea areas A1 and A2, must carry a VHF radio installation complying with the requirements of §80.1085(a)(1) and an MF radio installation complying with the requirements of §80.1089(a)(1) and being able to fully comply with watch requirements as specified in §80.1123(a)(2). The MF radio installation installed for duplication must also comply with the requirements §80.1089(c).

(3) Ships, equipped in accordance with §80.1091 for sea areas A1, A2, and A3, must carry a VHF radio installation complying with the requirements of §80.1085(a)(1) and either an MF/HF radio installation complying with the requirements of §80.1091(b)(1) and being able to fully comply with watch requirements as specified in §80.1123(a)(2) or an INMARSAT ship earth station complying with the requirements of §80.1091(a)(1). The MF/HF radio installation or the INMARSAT ship earth station installed for duplication must also comply with the requirements §80.1091(c).

(4) Ships, equipped in accordance with §80.1093 for sea areas A1, A2, A3, and A4, must carry a VHF radio installation complying with the requirement of §80.1085(a)(1) and an MF/HF radio installation complying with the requirements of §80.1091(b)(1) and being able to fully comply with watch requirements as specified in §80.1123(a)(2). The MF/HF radio installation installed for duplication must also comply with the requirements §80.1091(c).

(h) The radio installations specified in paragraph (g) of this section (referred as “duplicated equipment”), in addition to the appropriate radio equipment specified in §80.1099 (referred as “basic equipment”), must be connected to the reserve sources of energy required by §80.1099. The capacity of the reserve sources of energy should be sufficient to operate the particular installation (i.e., the basic equipment or the duplicated equipment) with the highest power consumption, for the appropriate period specified in §80.1099. However, the arrangement for the reserve sources of energy must be such that a single fault in this arrangement cannot affect both the basic and the duplicated equipment.

(i) If the shore-based maintenance method is used, the following requirements apply.

(1) Maintenance services must be completed and performance verified and noted in the ship's record before departure from the first port of call entered after any failure occurs.

(2) Each GMDSS equipment must be tested and performance verified and the results noted in the ship's record before departure from every port. To accomplish this, each ship shall carry a performance checkoff sheet listing each GMDSS equipment carried on a mandatory basis.

(j) If the at-sea maintenance method is used, the following requirements apply.

(1) Adequate additional technical documentation, tools, test equipment, and spare parts must be carried on-board ship to enable a qualified maintainer as specified in §80.1074 to perform tests and localize and repair faults in the radio equipment.

(2) Only persons that comply with the requirements of §80.1074 may perform at-sea maintenance on radio installations required by this subpart.

(k) Satellite EPIRBs shall be tested at intervals not exceeding 12 months for all aspects of operational efficiency with particular emphasis on frequency stability, signal strength and coding. The test may be conducted on board the ship or at an approved testing or servicing station.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46980, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Distress traffic consists of all messages relating to the immediate assistance required by the ship in distress, including search and rescue communications and on-scene communications. Distress traffic must as far as possible be on the frequencies contained in §80.1077.

(b) Urgency and safety communications include: navigational and meteorological warnings and urgent information; ship-to-ship safety navigation communications; ship reporting communications; support communications for search and rescue operations; other urgency and safety messages and communications relating to the navigation, movements and needs of ships and weather observation messages destined for an official meteorological service.

(c) Intership navigation safety communications are those VHF radiotelephone communications conducted between ships for the purpose of contributing to the safe movement of ships. The frequency 156.650 MHz is used for intership navigation safety communications (see §80.1077).

(a) The transmission of a distress alert indicates that a mobile unit or person is in distress and requires immediate assistance. The distress alert is a digital selective call using a distress call format in bands used for terrestrial radiocommunication or a distress message format, which is relayed through space stations.

(b) The distress alert must be sent through a satellite either with absolute priority in general communication channels or on exclusive distress and safety frequencies or, alternatively, on the distress and safety frequencies in the MF, HF, and VHF bands using digital selective calling.

(c) The distress alert must be sent only on the authority of the person responsible for the ship, aircraft or other vehicle carrying the mobile station or the mobile earth station.

(d) All stations which receive a distress alert transmitted by digital selective calling must immediately cease any transmission capable of interfering with distress traffic and must continue watch on the digital selective call distress calling channel until the call has been acknowledged to determine if a coast station acknowledges the call using digital selective calling. Additionally, the station receiving the distress alert must set watch on the associated distress traffic frequency for five minutes to determine if distress traffic takes place. The ship can acknowledge the call using voice or narrowband direct printing as appropriate on this channel to the ship or to the rescue authority.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46980, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The distress alert must identify the station in distress and its position. The distress alert may also contain information regarding the nature of the distress, the type of assistance required, the course and speed of the mobile unit, the time that this information was recorded and any other information which might facilitate rescue.

(b) The format of distress calls and distress messages must be in accordance with ITU-R Recommendation M.493–10, “Digital Selective-calling system for use in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes 1 and 2, 2000, as specified in §80.1101. ITU-R Recommendation M.493–10 with Annexes 1 and 2 is incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of this standard can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendation can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

(c) Ship-to-shore distress alerts are used to alert Rescue Coordination Centers via coast stations or coast earth stations that a ship is in distress. These alerts are based on the use of transmissions via satellites (from a ship earth station or a satellite EPIRB) and terrestrial services (from ship stations and EPIRBs).

(d) Ship-to-ship distress alerts are used to alert other ships in the vicinity of the ship in distress and are based on the use of digital selective calling in the VHF and MF bands. The HF bands should not be used to notify ships in the vicinity unless no response is received within five minutes on VHF or MF.

(e) Shore-to-ship distress alert relays are used by a station or Rescue Coordination Center to relay information about a ship in distress to, as appropriate, all ships, a selected group of ships, or a specific ship by satellite and/or terrestrial means. The distress alert relay must contain the identification of the mobile unit in distress, its position and all other information which might facilitate rescue.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46980, Aug. 7, 2003]

The provisions of §§80.334 and 80.335 apply to false distress alerts.

[68 FR 46980, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) A station in the mobile or mobile-satellite service which learns that a mobile unit is in distress must initiate and transmit a distress alert relay in any of the following cases:

(1) When the mobile unit in distress is not itself in a position to transmit the distress alert; or

(2) When the master or person responsible for the mobile unit not in distress or the person responsible for the land station determines that further help is necessary.

(b) A station transmitting a distress alert relay in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section or §80.1121(c) must indicate that it is not itself in distress.

(a) Normally, distress calls received using digital selective calling are only acknowledged using a DSC acknowledgement by a coast station. Ships should delay any acknowledgement in order to give sufficient time for a coast station to acknowledge the call. In cases where no acknowledgement has been heard and no distress traffic has been heard, the ship should transmit a distress alert relay to the coast station. Upon advice from the Rescue Coordination Center, the ship may transmit a DSC acknowledgement call to stop it from being repeated. Acknowledgement by digital selective calling of receipt of a distress alert in the terrestrial services must comply with ITU-R Recommendation M.541–8, “Operational Procedures for the Use of Digital Selective-Calling Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annexes, 1997. ITU-R Recommendation M.541–8 with Annexes is incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of this standard can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendation can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

(b) Acknowledgement through a satellite of receipt of a distress alert from a ship earth station must be sent immediately (see §80.1119).

(c) Acknowledgement by radiotelephony of receipt of a distress alert from a ship station or a ship earth station must be given in the following form:

(1) The distress signal MAYDAY;

(2) The call sign or other identification of the station sending the distress message, spoken three times;

(3) The words THIS IS (or DE spoken as DELTA ECHO in case of language difficulties);

(4) The call sign or other identification of the station acknowledging receipt, spoken three times;

(5) The word RECEIVED (or RRR spoken as ROMEO ROMEO ROMEO in case of language difficulties);

(6) The distress signal MAYDAY.

(d) The acknowledgement by direct-printing telegraphy of receipt of a distress alert from a ship station must be given in the following form:

(1) The distress signal MAYDAY;

(2) The call sign or other identification of the station sending the distress alert;

(3) The word DE;

(4) The call sign or other identification of the station acknowledging receipt of the distress alert;

(5) The signal RRR;

(6) The distress signal MAYDAY.

(e) The acknowledgement by direct-printing telegraphy of receipt of a distress alert from a ship earth station must be given by the coast earth station receiving the distress alert by retransmitting the ship station identity of the ship transmitting the distress alert.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46980, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Coast stations that receive a distress alert should defer acknowledgement for a short interval so that receipt may be acknowledged by a Rescue Coordination Center. Where an acknowledgement is not forthcoming within 3 minutes, the coast station in receipt of distress alerts must ensure that they are routed to a Rescue Coordination Center as soon as possible. Coast stations must provide assistance for distress communications when requested to do so by the U.S. Coast Guard. (This subpart does not specify any radio watches for coast stations.)

(b) Coast earth stations in receipt of distress alerts must ensure that they are routed as soon as possible to a Rescue Coordination Center. Coast earth stations must relay, as soon as possible, an acknowledgement of a distress alert from a Rescue Coordination Center.

(c) Certain messages must be carried without charge, regardless of the means by which they are transmitted:

(1) Distress alert messages;

(2) Search and rescue coordination messages;

(3) Medical assistance messages where an imminent danger to life is present, or

(4) Urgent meteorological or navigational danger messages passed in the ship-to-shore direction.

(a) Ship or ship earth stations that receive a distress alert must, as soon as possible, inform the master or person responsible for the ship of the contents of the distress alert.

(b) For VHF and MF, ships in receipt of a distress alert shall not transmit a distress alert relay, but should listen on the distress traffic channel for 5 minutes and, if appropriate, acknowledge the alert by radiotelephony to the ship in distress and inform the coast station and/or Rescue Coordination Center. Distress alert relays to “all ships” on these bands may only be sent by a ship who has knowledge that another ship in distress is not itself able to transmit the distress alert, and the Master of the ship considers that further help is necessary.

(c) For HF, ships in receipt of a distress alert shall listen on the distress traffic channel for 5 minutes. If no distress communications are heard and if the call is not acknowledged by a coast station, the ship shall transmit a distress relay on HF to the coast radio station and inform the Rescue Coordination Center. Distress alert relays to “all Ships” on HF may only be sent by a ship who has knowledge that another ship in distress is not itself able to transmit the distress alert, and the Master of the ship considers that further help is necessary.

(d) In cases where distress alert continues to be received from the same source, the ship may, after consultation with the Rescue Coordination Center, transmit a DSC acknowledgment to terminate the call.

(e) A ship station in receipt of a shore-to-ship distress alert relay (see §80.1113(e)) should establish communication as directed and render such assistance as required and appropriate.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46980, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) While at sea, all ships must maintain a continuous watch:

(1) On VHF DSC channel 70, if the ship is fitted with a VHF radio installation in accordance with §80.1085(a)(2);

(2) On the distress and safety DSC frequency 2187.5 kHz, if the ship is fitted with an MF radio installation in accordance with §§80.1089(a)(2) or 80.1091(a)(3);

(3) On the distress and safety DSC frequencies 2187.5 kHz and 8414.5 kHz also on at least one of the distress and safety DSC frequencies 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12577 kHz, or 16804.5 kHz appropriate to the time of day and the geographical position of the ship, if the ship is fitted with an MF/HF radio installation in accordance with §§80.1091(a)(2)(ii) or 80.1093(a) of this part (this watch may be kept by means of a scanning receiver limited to six distress and safety DSC frequencies); and

(4) For satellite shore-to-ship distress alert, if the ship is fitted with an INMARSAT ship earth station in accordance with §80.1091(a)(1).

(b) While at sea, all ships must maintain radio watches for broadcasts of maritime safety information on the appropriate frequency or frequencies on which such information is broadcast for the area in which the ship is navigating.

(c) Until February 1, 2005, every ship while at sea must maintain, when practicable, a continuous listening watch on VHF Channel 16. This watch must be kept at the position from which the ship is normally navigated or at a position which is continuously manned.

(d) Every ship required to carry a radiotelephone watch receiver must maintain, while at sea, a continuous watch on the radiotelephone distress frequency 2182 kHz. This watch must be kept at the position from which the ship is normally navigated or at a position which is continually manned.

(e) On receipt of a distress alert transmitted by use of digital selective calling techniques, ship stations must set watch on the radiotelephone distress and safety traffic frequency associated with the distress and safety calling frequency on which the distress alert was received.

(f) Ship stations with narrow-band direct printing equipment must set watch on the narrow-band direct-printing frequency associated with the distress alert signal if it indicates that narrow-band direct-printing is to be used for subsequent distress communications. If practicable, they should additionally set watch on the radiotelephone frequency associated with the distress alert frequency.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46981, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The distress signal consists of the word MAYDAY, pronounced in radiotelephony as the French expression “M'aider”. For distress traffic by radiotelephony, when establishing communications, calls must be prefixed by the distress signal MAYDAY.

(b) Error correction techniques, in accordance with ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3, “Direct-printing Telegraph Equipment Employing Automatic Identification in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995, as specified in §80.1101, must be used for distress traffic by direct-printing telegraphy. All messages must be preceded by at least one carriage return, a line feed signal, a letter shift signal and the distress signal MAYDAY. ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3 with Annex is incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of this standard can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendation can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

(c) Distress communications by direct-printing telegraphy should be in the ARQ mode when ships are communicating directly to the Coast Guard or other coast stations on channels which they normally guard. Other distress communications, including those on simplex channels provided for that purpose, should be in the broadcast forward error correction mode. The ARQ mode may subsequently be used when it is advantageous to do so.

(d) The Rescue Coordination Center responsible for controlling a search and rescue operation will also coordinate the distress traffic relating to the incident or may appoint another station to do so.

(e) The Rescue Coordination Center coordinating distress traffic, the unit coordinating search and rescue operations, or the coast station involved may impose silence on stations which interfere with that traffic. This instruction may be addressed to all stations or to one station only, according to circumstances. In either case, the following will be used:

(1) In radiotelephony, the signal SEELONCE MAYDAY, pronounced as the French expression “silence, m'aider”;

(2) In narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy normally using forward-error correcting mode, the signal SILENCE MAYDAY. However, the ARQ mode may be used when it is advantageous to do so.

(f) Until they receive the message indicating that normal working may be resumed (see paragraph (h) of this section), all stations which are aware of the distress traffic, and which are not taking part in it, and which are not in distress, are forbidden to transmit on the frequencies in which the distress traffic is taking place.

(g) Stations following distress traffic that are able to continue normal service may do so when the distress traffic is well established and on condition that it observes the provisions of paragraph (f) of this section and that it does not interfere with distress traffic.

(h) When distress traffic has ceased on frequencies which have been used for distress traffic, the Rescue Coordination Center controlling a search and rescue operation must initiate a message for transmission on these frequencies indicating that distress traffic has finished.

(i) In radiotelephony, the message referred to in paragraph (h) of this section consists of:

(1) The distress signal MAYDAY;

(2) The call “Hello all stations” or CQ (spoken as CHARLIE QUEBEC) spoken three times;

(3) The words THIS IS (or DE spoken as DELTA ECHO in the case of language difficulties);

(4) The call sign or other identification of the station sending the message;

(5) The time when the distress situation has ceased;

(6) The name and call sign of the mobile station which was in distress;

(7) The words SEELONCE FEENEE pronounced as the French words “silence fini”

(j) In direct-printing telegraphy, the message referred to in paragraph (h) of this section consists of:

(1) The distress signal MAYDAY;

(2) The call CQ;

(3) The word DE;

(4) The call sign or other identification of the station sending the message;

(5) The time when distress situation has ceased;

(6) The name and call sign of the mobil station which was in distress; and

(7) The words SILENCE FINI.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46981, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) On-scene communications are those between mobile unit in distress and assisting mobile units, and between the mobile units and unit coordinating search and rescue operations.

(b) Control of on-scene communications is the responsibility of the unit coordinating search and rescue operations. Simplex communications must be used so that all on-scene mobile stations may share relevant information concerning the distress incident. If direct-printing telegraphy is used, it must be in the forward error-correcting mode in accordance with ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3, with Annex, as specified in §80.1101.

(c) The preferred frequencies in radiotelephony for on-scene communications are 156.8 MHz and 2182 kHz. The frequency 2174.5 kHz may also be used for ship-to-ship on-scene communications using narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy in the forward error correcting mode in accordance with ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3, “Direct-printing Telegraph Equipment Employing Automatic Identification in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995, as specified in §80.1101. ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3 with Annex is incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of this standard can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendation can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

(d) In addition to 156.8 MHz and 2182 kHz, the frequencies 3023 kHz, 4125 kHz, 5680 kHz, 123.1 MHz and 156.3 MHz may be used for ship-to-aircraft on-scene communications.

(e) The selection or designation of on-scene frequencies is the responsibility of the unit coordinating search and rescue operations. Normally, once an on-scene frequency is established, a continuous aural or teleprinter watch is maintained by all participating on-scene mobile units on the selected frequency.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46981, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) Locating signals are radio transmissions intended to facilitate the finding of a mobile unit in distress or the location of survivors. These signals include those transmitted by searching units and those transmitted by the mobile unit in distress, by survival craft, by float-free EPIRBS, by satellite EPRIBs, and by search and rescue radar transponders to assist the searching units.

(b) Homing singnals are those locating signals which are transmitted by mobile units in distress, or by survival craft, for the purpose of providing searching units with a signal that can be used to determine the bearing to the transmitting stations.

(c) Locating signals may be transmitted in the following frequency bands: 117.975–136 MHz, 121.5 MHz, 156–174 MHz, 406–406.1 MHz, and 9200–9500 MHz.

(d) The 9 GHz locating signals must be in accordance with ITU-R Recommendation M.628–3, “Technical Characteristics for Search and Rescue Radar Transponders,” with Annexes, 1994, as specified in §80.1101. ITU-R Recommendation M.628–3 with Annexes is incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of this standard can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendation can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46981, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) In a terrestrial system the announcement of the urgency message must be made on one or more of the distress and safety calling frequencies specified in §80.1077 using digital selective calling and the urgency call format. A separate announcement need not be made if the urgency message is to be transmitted through the maritime mobile-satellite service.

(b) The urgency signal and message must be transmitted on one or more of the distress and safety traffic frequencies specified in §80.1077, or via the maritime mobile-satellite service or on other frequencies used for this purpose.

(c) The urgency signal consists of the words PAN PAN. In radiotelephony each word of the group must be pronounced as the French word “panne”.

(d) The urgency call format and the urgency signal indicate that the calling station has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a mobile unit or a person.

(e) In radiotelephony, the urgency message must be preceded by the urgency signal, repeated three times, and the identification of the transmitting station.

(f) In narrow-band direct-printing, the urgency message must be preceded by the urgency signal and the identification of the transmitting station.

(g) The urgency call format or urgency signal must be sent only on the authority of the master or the person responsible for the mobile unit carrying the mobile station or mobile earth station.

(h) The urgency call format or the urgency signal may be transmitted by a land station or a coast earth station with the approval of the responsible authority.

(i) When an urgency message which calls for action by the stations receiving the message has been transmitted, the station responsible for its transmission must cancel it as soon as it knows that action is no longer necessary.

(j) Error correction techniques, in accordance with ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3, “Direct-printing Telegraph Equipment Employing Automatic Identification in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995, as specified in §80.1101, must be used for urgency messages by direct-printing telegraphy. All messages must be preceded by at least one carriage return, a line feed signal, a letter shift signal and the urgency signal PAN PAN. ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3 with Annex is incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of this standard can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendation can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

(k) Urgency communications by direct-printing telegraphy should be in the ARQ mode when communicating directly to the Coast Guard or other coast stations on channels which they normally guard. Other distress communications, including those on simplex channels provided for that purpose, should be in the broadcast forward error correction mode. The ARQ mode may subsequently be used when it is advantageous to do so.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46981, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) In a terrestrial system the announcement of the safety message must be made on one or more of the distress and safety calling frequencies specified in §80.1077 using digital selective calling techniques. A separate announcement need not be made if the message is to be transmitted through the maritime mobile-satellite service.

(b) The safety signal and message must normally be transmitted on one or more of the distress and safety traffic frequencies specified in §80.1077, or via the maritime mobile satellite service or on other frequencies used for this purpose.

(c) The safety signal consists of the word SECURITE. In radiotelephony, it is pronounced as in French.

(d) The safety call format or the safety signal indicates that the calling station has an important navigational or meteorological warning to transmit.

(e) In radiotelephony, the safety message must be preceded by the safety signal, repeated three times, and the identification of the transmitting station.

(f) In narrow-band direct-printing, the safety message must be preceded by the safety signal and the identification of the transmitting station.

(g) Error correction techniques, in accordance with ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3, “Direct-printing Telegraph Equipment Employing Automatic Identification in the Maritime Mobile Service,” with Annex, 1995, as specified in §80.1101, must be used for safety messages by direct-printing telegraphy. All messages must be preceded by at least one carriage return, a line feed signal, a letter shift signal and the safety signal SECURITE. ITU-R Recommendation M.625–3 with Annex is incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies of this standard can be inspected at the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC (Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. The ITU-R Recommendation can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Place des Nations, CH–1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.

(h) Safety communications by direct-printing telegraphy should be in the ARQ mode when communicating directly to the Coast Guard or other coast stations on channels which they normally guard. Other distress communications, including those on simplex channels provided for that purpose, should be in the broadcast forward error correction mode. The ARQ mode may subsequently be used when it is advantageous to do so.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46981, Aug. 7, 2003]

(a) The operational details of the stations transmitting maritime safety information in accordance with this section are indicated in the ITU List of Radiodetermination and Special Service Stations and the IMO Master Plan of Shore-Based Facilities.

(b) The mode and format of the transmissions mentioned in this section is in accordance with the ITU-R Recommendation M.540 as specified in §80.1101.

(c) Maritime safety information is transmitted by means of narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy with forward error correction using the frequency 518 kHz in accordance with the international NAVTEX system (see §80.1077).

(d) The frequency 490 kHz may be used, after full implementation of the GMDSS, for the transmission of maritime safety information by means of narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy with forward error correction (see §80.1077).

(e) Internationally, the frequency 4209.5 kHz is used for NAVTEX-type transmissions by means of narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy with forward error correction (see §80.1077).

(f) Maritime safety information is transmitted by means of narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy with forward error correction using the frequencies 4210 kHz, 6314 kHz, 8416.5 kHz, 12579 kHz, 16806.5 kHz, 19680.5, 22376 kHz, and 26100.5 kHz (see §80.1077).

(g) Maritime safety information is transmitted via satellite in the maritime mobile-satellite service using the band 1530–1545 MHz (see §80.1077).

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 68 FR 46982, Aug. 7, 2003]

Voluntary ships must meet the rules applicable to the particular mode of operation as contained in the following subparts of this part and as modified by §80.1153:

Operating Requirements and Procedures—Subpart C

(a) Licensees of voluntary ships are not required to operate the ship radio station or to maintain radio station logs.

(b) When a ship radio station of a voluntary ship is being operated, appropriate general purpose watches must be maintained in accordance with §§80.146, 80.147 and 80.148.

Radioprinter operations provide record communications between authorized maritime mobile stations.

(a) Supplementary eligibility requirements. Ships must be less than 1600 gross tons.

(b) Scope of communication. (1) Ship radioprinter communications may be conducted with an associated private coast station.

(2) Ships authorized to communicate by radioprinter with a common private coast station may also conduct intership radioprinter operations.

(3) Only those communications which are associated with the business and operational needs of the ship are authorized.

(c) Assignment and use of frequencies. (1) Frequencies for radioprinter operations are shared by several radio services including the maritime mobile service.

(2) Ship stations must conduct radioprinter operations only on frequencies assigned to their associated private coast station for that purpose.

(d) Authorization procedure. The authorization procedure for ship station radioprinter operations is as follows:

(1) The associated private coast station must submit an application for specific radioprinter frequencies and provide the names of ships to be served.

(2) When the private coast station receives a radioprinter license, it must provide copies of their license to all ships with which they are authorized to conduct radioprinter operations. The private coast station license copy must be kept as part of the ship station license.

(3) Any addition or deletion of ships must be notified to the Commission by letter.

Facsimile is a form of telegraphy for the transmission and receipt of fixed images. Ships must use facsimile techniques only with authorized public coast stations.

NB-DP is a form of telegraphy for the transmission and receipt of direct printing public correspondence. Ships must use NB-DP techniques only with authorized public coast stations.

EPIRB transmissions must be used only under emergency conditions. The various classes of EPIRB's are described in subpart V of this part.

Frequencies for general radiotelephone purposes are available to ships in three radio frequency bands. Use of specific frequencies must meet the Commission's rules concerning the scope of service and the class of station with which communications are intended. The three frequency bands are:

(a) 156–158 MHz (VHF/FM Radiotelephone). Certain frequencies within this band are public correspondence frequencies and they must be used as working channels when communicating with public coast stations. Other working frequencies within the band are categorized by type of communications for which use is authorized when communicating with a private coast station or between ships. Subpart H of this part lists the frequencies and types of communications for which they are available.

(b) 1600–4000 kHz (SSB Radiotelephone). Specific frequencies within this band are authorized for single sideband (SSB) communications with public and private coast stations or between ships. The specific frequencies are listed in subpart H of this part.

(c) 4000–23000 kHz (SSB Radiotelephone). Specific frequencies within this band are authorized for SSB communications with public and private coast stations. The specific frequencies are listed in subpart H of this part.

(a) The frequencies assignable to AMTS stations are listed in §80.385(a). These frequencies are assignable to ship and coast stations for voice, facsimile and radioteletypewriter communications.

(b) [Reserved]

(a) On-board stations communicate:

(1) With other units of the same station for operational communications on the ship.

(2) With on-board stations of another ship or shore facility to aid in oil pollution prevention during the transfer of 250 or more barrels of oil.

(3) With other units of the same station in the immediate vicinity of the ship for operational communications related to docking, life boat and emergency drills or in the maneuvering of cargo barges and lighters.

(b) An on-board station may communicate with a station in the Business Radio Service operating on the same frequency when the vessel on which the on-board station is installed is alongside the dock or cargo handling facility.

On-board frequencies are assignable only to ship stations. When an on-board repeater is used, paired frequencies must be used. On-board repeater frequencies must be used for single frequency simplex operations. On-board frequencies are listed in subpart H.

When an on-board repeater is used, the following limitations must be met:

(a) The on-board repeater antenna must be located no higher than 3 meters (10 feet) above the vessel's highest working deck.

(b) Each on-board repeater must have a timer that deactivates the transmitter if the carrier remains on for more than 3 minutes.

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 44954, Aug. 25, 1993]

(a) On-board stations must identify when:

(1) The vessel is within 32 km (20 miles) of any coastline; or

(2) The communications are likely to be received aboard another vessel.

(b) Identification, when required, must be:

(1) Transmitted at the beginning and the end of a series of communications. Whenever communications are sustained for a period exceeding 15 minutes, station identification must be transmitted at intervals not exceeding 15 minutes.

(2) In English and must include the name of the vessel, followed by a number or name designating the respective mobile unit, for example: “S.S. United States Mobile One, this is Mobile Two.”

[51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 44954, Aug. 25, 1993]

(a) An on-board station may be used for remote control of maneuvering or navigation control systems aboard the same ship or, where that ship is towing a second ship, aboard the towed ship.

(b) The remote control system transmissions must contain a synchronization signal and a message signal composed of a documentation number group, a company control group, an actuation instruction group, and a termination of transmission group.

(1) The synchronization signal must be the control character “SYN”, transmitted twice.

(2) The message signal is composed of the following groups:

(i) The documentation number group must be transmitted once and be the ship's U.S. Coast Guard documentation number or, if the ship is not documented, the call sign of the on-board station.

(ii) The company control group, composed of three letters taken from AAA through ZZZ, which must be transmitted one time.

(iiii) The actuation instruction group, composed of two letters taken from AA through ZZ, which must be transmitted one time.

(iv) The termination of transmission group, composed of the control character “EM”, which must be transmitted twice.

(c) The receiving system must:

(1) Reject any actuation instruction until it recognizes and accepts the company control group.

(2) Reject any company control group until it recognizes and accepts the documentation number group.

(d) The emission employed must be G2D. The provisions applicable to G3E emission are also applicable to G2D emission.

(e) The binary information must be applied to the carrier as frequency-shift keying (FSK) of the standard tones 1070 and 1270 Hz. “0” (low) must correspond to 1070 Hz and “1” (high) must correspond to 1270 Hz. The signalling rate must be 300 bits per second.

(f) The alphabet employed must be the United States of America Standard Code for Information Interchange (USASCII), contained in the United States of America Standards Institute publication USAS X3.4–1968.

(1) The bit sequence must be least significant bit first to most significant bit (bit 1 through 7), consecutively.

(2) The character structure must consist of 8 bits (seven bits plus one character parity bit) having equal time intervals.

(3) “Odd” parity is required.

Stations in the maritime mobile-satellite service must meet the eligibility requirements contained in this section.

(a) A station license for a ship earth station may be issued to:

(1) The owner or operator of a ship.

(2) A corporation proposing to furnish a nonprofit radio communication service to its parent corporation, to another subsidiary of the same parent, or to its own subsidiary, where the party to be served is the owner or operator of the ship aboard which the ship earth station is to be installed and operated.

(b) A station license for a portable ship earth station may be issued to the owner or operator of portable earth station equipment proposing to furnish satellite communication services on board more than one ship or fixed offshore platform located in the marine environment.

[52 FR 27003, July 17, 1987, as amended at 54 FR 49995, Dec. 4, 1989]

Ship earth stations must be used for telecommunications related to the business or operation of ships and for public correspondence of persons on board. Portable ship earth stations are authorized to meet the business, operational and public correspondence telecommunication needs of fixed offshore platforms located in the marine environment as well as ships. The types of emission are determined by the INMARSAT organization.

[52 FR 27003, July 17, 1987]

(a) Portable ship earth stations are authorized to operate on board more than one ship. Portable ship earth stations are also authorized to be operated on board fixed offshore platforms located in international or United States domestic waters.

(b) Portable ship earth stations must meet the rule requirements of ship earth stations with the exeception of eligibility.

(c) Where the license of the portable ship earth station is not the owner of the ship or fixed platform on which the station is located, the station must be operated with the permission of the owner or operator of the ship or fixed platform.

[52 FR 27003, July 17, 1987]

(a) A ship station may be authorized to use radio channels in the 285–315 kHz band in Region 1 and 285–325 kHz in any other region for cable repair radiodetermination purposes under the following conditions:

(1) The radio transmitting equipment attached to the cable-marker buoy associated with the ship station must be described in the station application;

(2) The call sign used for the transmitter operating under the provisions of this section is the call sign of the ship station followed by the letters “BT” and the identifying number of the buoy.

(3) The buoy transmitter must be continuously monitored by a licensed radiotelegraph operator on board the cable repair ship station; and

(4) The transmitter must operate under the provisions in §80.375(b).

Source:  63 FR 40065, July 27, 1998, unless otherwise noted.

§ 80.1251   Maritime communications subject to competitive bidding.

Mutually exclusive initial applications for VPCSA licenses and AMTS coast station licenses are subject to competitive bidding. The general competitive bidding procedures set forth in part 1, subpart Q of this chapter will apply unless otherwise provided in this part.

[67 FR 45375, July 9, 2002]

(a) This section addresses certain issues concerning designated entities in maritime communications services subject to competitive bidding.

(b) Eligibility for small business provisions. (1) A small business is an entity that, together with its affiliates and controlling interests, has average gross revenues not to exceed $15 million for the preceding three years.

(2) A very small business is an entity that, together with its affiliates and controlling interests, has average gross revenues not to exceed $3 million for the preceding three years.

(3) [Reserved]

(4) A consortium of small businesses (or a consortium of very small businesses) is a conglomerate organization formed as a joint venture between or among mutually independent business firms, each of which individually satisfies the definition in paragraph (b)(1) of this section (or each of which individually satisfies the definition in paragraph (b)(2) of this section). Where an applicant or licensee is a consortium of small businesses (or very small businesses), the gross revenues of each small business (or very small business) shall not be aggregated.

(c) A winning bidder that qualifies as a small business, as defined in §80.1252(b)(1), or consortium of small businesses may use the bidding credit specified in §1.2110(f)(2)(ii) of this chapter. A winning bidder that qualifies as a very small business, as defined in §80.1252(b(2), or consortium of very small businesses may use the bidding credit specified in §1.2110(f)(2)(i) of this chapter.

(d) A winning bidder that qualifies as a small business or a consortium of small businesses as defined in §80.1252(b)(1) or §80.1252(b)(5) of this subpart may use the bidding credit specified in §1.2110(e)(2)(ii) of this chapter. A winning bidder that qualifies as a very small business or a consortium of very small businesses as defined in §80.1252(b)(2) or §80.1252(b)(5) of this subpart may use the bidding credit specified in §1.2110(e)(2)(i) of this chapter.

[63 FR 40065, July 27, 1998, as amended at 68 FR 43000, July 21, 2003]

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