This section contains the statutory basis for this part of the rules and provides the purpose for which this part is issued.

(a) Basis. The rules for the maritime services in this part are promulgated under the provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, which vests authority in the Federal Communications Commission to regulate radio transmission and to issue licenses for radio stations. The rules in this part are in accordance wtih applicable statutes, international treaties, agreements and recommendations to which the United States is a party. The most significant of these documents are listed below with the short title appearing in parenthesis:

Communications Act of 1934, as amended—(Communications Act).

Communications Satellite Act of 1962, as amended—(Communications Satellite Act).

International Telecommunication Union Radio Regulations, in force for the United States—(Radio Regulations).

Agreement Between the United States of America and Canada for the Promotion of Safety on the Great Lakes by Means of Radio, as amended, and the Technical Regulations annexed thereto—(Great Lakes Radio Agreement).

International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, and the Annex thereto—(Safety Convention).

Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act—(Bridge-to-Bridge Act).

Other FCC rule parts applicable to licensees in the maritime services include the following:

(a) Part 0. This part describes the Commission's organization and delegations of authority. Part 0 also lists available Commission publications, standards and procedures for access to Commission records and location on Commission monitoring stations.

(b) Part 1. This part includes rules of practice and procedure for license applications, adjudicatory proceedings, procedures for reconsideration and review of the Commission's actions; provisions concerning violation notices and forfeiture proceedings; and the environmental processing requirements that, together with the procedures specified in §17.4(c) of this chapter, if applicable, must be complied with prior to the initiation of construction. Subpart Q of part 1 contains rules governing competitive bidding procedures for resolving mutually exclusive applications for certain initial licenses.

(c) Part 2. This part contains the Table of Frequency Allocations and special requirements in international regulations, recommendations, agreements, and treaties. This part also contain standards and procedures concerning marketing of radio frequency devices, and for obtaining equipment authorization.

(d) Part 13. This part contains information and rules for the licensing of commercial radio operators.

(e) Part 17. This part contains requirements for the construction, marking and lighting of antenna towers, and the environmental notification process that must be completed before filing certain antenna structure registration applications.

(f) Part 20 of this chapter which governs commercial mobile radio services which include subpart J of this part (public coast stations).

(g) Part 21. This part contains rules concerning point-to-point microwave service authority relating to communication common carriers.

(h) Part 64. This part contains miscellaneous rules relating to communication common carriers.

(i) Part 68. This part contains technical standards for connection of terminal equipment to the telephone network.

(j) Part 87. This part contains rules for the aviation services. Some maritime frequencies are authorized for use by aircraft stations for safety and distress, public correpondence and for operational communications.

(k) Part 101. This part contains rules concerning the private microwave service relating to point-to-point communication requirements.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(3) The term passenger carrying vessel, when used in reference to Part III, Title III of the Communications Act of the Great Lakes Radio Agreement, means any ship transporting more than six passengers for hire.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(2) Any foreign government or its representative;

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

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

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

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

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

(1) The owner or operator of the vessel;

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

(3) A State or local government subdivision; or

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

(a) Stations in the Maritime Mobile Service are licensed according to class of station as follows:

(1) Public coast stations.

(2) Private coast stations.

(3) Maritime support stations.

(4) Ship stations. The ship station license may include authority to operate other radio station classes aboard ship such as; radionavigation, on-board, satellite, EPIRB, radiotelephone, radiotelegraph and survival craft.

(5) Marine utility stations.

(b) Stations on land in the Maritime Radiodetermination Service are licensed according to class of station as follows:

(1) Shore radiolocation stations.

(2) Shore radionavigation stations.

(c) Fixed stations in the Fixed Service associated with the maritime services are licensed as follows:

(1) Operational fixed stations.

(2) Alaska-public fixed stations.

Applications must contain supplementary information as indicated in this section. Other supplemental information may be required by other rule sections of this part concerning particular maritime services.

(a) Each application for a new public coast station operating on frequencies in the band 156–162 MHz must include as supplementary information a chart, with supporting data, showing the service area contour computed in accordance with subpart P of this part.

(b) Each application for a new public coast station operating on frequencies in the band 156–162 MHz to be located within the coordination boundaries of “Arrangement “A” of the Canada/U.S.A. Frequency Coordination Agreement above 30 MHz”, must comply with the provisions of the “Canada/U.S.A. Channeling Agreement for VHF Maritime, Public Correspondence” as contained in §80.57.

(c) A new station on a vessel not located in the United States must not be documented or otherwise registered by any foreign authority. The foreign authorities where the vessel is located will not or cannot license the vessel radio equipment and can not object to the licensing of the equipment by the United States. An applicant must provide verification of these facts upon request by the Commission.

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

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

(c) Licenses for stations engaged in developmental operation will be issued for a period not to exceed one year from date of grant.

Wireless telecommunications carriers subject to this part must comply with the discontinuance of service provisions of part 63 of this chapter.

This section contains rules about the licensing of developmental operations at stations subject to this part.

(a) Supplemental eligibility. An authorization for developmental operation will be issued only to persons eligible to operate such stations on a regular basis.

(b) Showing required. Each application for a developmental license must be accompanied by the following showing:

(1) The applicant has an organized plan of development leading to an objective;

(2) A point has been reached in the program where actual transmission by radio is essential to progress;

(3) The program will contribute to the use of the radio services subject to this part;

(4) The program will be conducted by qualified personnel;

(5) The applicant is legally qualified and possesses technical facilities for conduct of the program as proposed; and

(6) The public interest, convenience and necessity will be served by the proposed operation.

(c) Statement of understanding. The showing must state that the applicant agrees that any developmental license issued will be accepted with the express understanding that it is subject to change in any of its terms or to cancellation in its entirety at any time, upon reasonable notice but without a hearing, if, in the opinion of the Commission, circumstances should so require.

(d) Assignable frequencies. Applicants for a developmental license may be authorized to use a frequency or frequencies available for the service and class of station proposed. The number of frequencies assignable to a particular station will depend upon the specific requirements of the developmental program and the number of frequencies available for use in the area where the station is to be operated.

(e) Developmental program. (1) The developmental program as described by the applicant in the application for authorization must be substantially followed unless the Commission otherwise directs.

(2) Where some phases of the developmental program are not covered by the general rules of the Commission and the rules in this part, the Commission may specify supplemental or additional requirements or conditions.

(3) The Commission may, from time to time, require a station engaged in developmental work to conduct special tests which are reasonable to the authorized developmental program.

(f) Use of developmental stations. (1) Stations authorized to conduct developmental operations must conform to all applicable technical and operating requirements contained in this part, unless a waiver is specifically provided in the station authorization.

(2) Communication with any station of a country other than the United States is prohibited unless specifically provided in the station authorization.

(3) Developmental operations must not cause harmful interference to the operation of stations regularly authorized to use the frequency or frequencies.

(g) Report of operation required. A report on the results of the developmental program must be filed within 60 days of the expiration of the license. A report must accompany a request for renewal of the license. Matters which the applicant does not wish to disclose publicly may be so labeled; they will be used solely for the Commission's information. However, public disclosure is governed by §0.467 of this chapter. The report must include the following:

(1) Results of operation to date.

(2) Analysis of the results obtained.

(3) Copies of any published reports.

(4) Need for continuation of the program.

(5) Number of hours of operation on each authorized frequency during the term of the license to the date of the report.

Marine utility stations. One station license may be issued to authorize a designated maximum number of marine utility stations operating at temporary unspecified locations, normally in multiples of ten stations when:

(a) The licensee of each station is the same; and

This section describes the circumstances under which a coast station location is classified as permanent or temporary unspecified.

(a) Permanent. Whenever a station is to transmit from a single location, the station location is permanent and the location must be shown on the application.

This section applies to coast or fixed stations at permanent locations.

(a) Applicants must provide the address or location of the control point where station records will be kept.

(b) When the address or location of a control point where station records are kept is to be changed, the licensee must request a modification of the station license.

Transmitters listed in §80.203 must be authorized for a particular use by the Commission based upon technical requirements contained in subparts E and F of this part, except for transmitters that are used on vessels in the Maritime Security Fleet and are deemed to satisfy all Commission equipment certification requirements pursuant to section 53108(c) of Title 46 of the United States Code.

For applications other than ship stations, the applicant must propose frequencies and ensure that those requested frequencies are consistent with the applicant's eligibility, the proposed class of station operation, and the frequencies available for assignment as contained in subpart H of this part.

(a) Public coast stations. (1) Each VHF public coast station geographic area licensee must notify the Commission of substantial service within its region or service area (subpart P) within five years of the initial license grant, and again within ten years of the initial license grant in accordance with §1.946 of this chapter. “Substantial” service is defined as service which is sound, favorable, and substantially above a level of mediocre service which just might minimally warrant renewal. For site-based VHF public coast station licensees, when a new license has been issued or additional operating frequencies have been authorized, the licensee must notify the Commission in accordance with §1.946 of this chapter that the station or frequencies authorized have been placed in operation within twelve months from the date of the grant.

(2) For LF, MF, and HF band public coast station licensees, when a new license has been issued or additional operating frequencies have been authorized, if the station or frequencies authorized have not been placed in operation within twelve months from the date of grant, the authorization becomes invalid and must be returned to the Commission for cancellation.

(3) Each AMTS coast station geographic area licensee must make a showing of substantial service within its service area within ten years of the initial license grant, or the authorization becomes invalid and must be returned to the Commission for cancellation. “Substantial” service is defined as service which is sound, favorable, and substantially above a level of mediocre service which just might minimally warrant renewal. For site-based AMTS coast station licensees, when a new license has been issued or additional operating frequencies have been authorized, if the station or frequencies authorized have not been placed in operation within two years from the date of the grant, the authorization becomes invalid and must be returned to the Commission for cancellation.

(b) Public fixed stations. When a new license has been issued or additional operating frequencies have been authorized, the licensee must notify the Commission in accordance with §1.946 of this chapter that the station or frequencies authorized have been placed in operation within twelve months from the date of the grant.

A ship earth station must display the Commission license.

The Commission may grant a license permitting operation of a portable ship station aboard different vessels of the United States.

AMTS licensees will be issued blanket authority for a system of coast stations and mobile units (subscribers). AMTS applicants will specify the maximum number of mobile units to be placed in operation during the license period.

(a) An applicant may apply for licenses for two or more radiotelephone stations aboard different vessels on the same application. Under these circumstances a fleet station license may be issued for operation of all radio stations aboard the vessels in the fleet.

(b) The fleet station license is issued on the following conditions:

(1) The licensee must keep a current list of vessel names and registration numbers authorized by the fleet license;

(2) The vessels do not engage in voyages to any foreign country;

(a) Canada/U.S.A. arrangement. Pursuant to arrangements between the United States and Canada, assignment of VHF frequencies in the band 156–162 MHz to public coast stations in certain areas of Washington state, the Great Lakes and the east coast of the United States must be made in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(b) Definitions. On the west coast, specific terms are defined as follows:

(1) Inland Waters Public Correspondence Sector. A distinct geographical area in which one primary and one supplementary channel is allotted. A number of local channels may also be authorized.

(2) Coastal Waters Public Correspondence Sector. A distinct geographical area in which one primary and one supplementary channel is allotted. Local channels may also be authorized.

(3) Inland waters. Inland waters of western Washington and British Columbia bounded by 47 degrees latitude on the south, the Canada/U.S.A. Coordination Zone Line B on the north, and to the west by 124 degrees 40 minutes longitude at the west entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

(4) Coastal waters. Waters along the Pacific Coast of Washington state and Vancouver Island within the Canada/U.S.A. Coordination Zone.

(5) Inland Waters Primary Channel. A channel intended to cover the greater portion of an Inland Waters Public Correspondence Sector. It may provide some coverage to an adjacent sector but must not provide coverage beyond the adjacent sector. Harmful interference beyond the adjacent sector must not occur. Only one primary channel will be authorized in any sector.

(6) Inland waters of western Washington and British Columbia bounded by 46°59'59.3" north latitude on the south, the Canada/U.S.A. Coordination Zone Line B on the south, and to the west by 124°40'4.7" west latitude at the west entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Note: All coordinates are referenced to North American Datum 1983 (NAD83).

(7) Inland Waters Local Channel. A channel designed to provide local coverage of certain bays, inlets and ports where coverage by primary or supplementary channels is poor or where heavy traffic loading warrants. A local channel must not cause harmful interference to any primary or supplementary channels. Coverage must be confined to the designated sector.

(8) Coastal Waters Primary Channel. Same as (5) except for technical characteristics.

(9) Coastal Waters Supplementary Channel. Same as (6) except for technical characteristics.

(10) Coastal Waters Local Channel. Same as (7) except for technical characteristics.

(c) Technical characteristics. On the west coast, technical characteristics of public correspondence stations will be as follows:

(1) Inland Waters Primary and Supplementary Channels. The effective radiated power (ERP) must not exceed 60 watts. Antenna height must not exceed 152 meters (500 feet) above mean sea level (AMSL) with the exceptions noted in paragraph (d)(5) of this section.

(2) Inland Waters Local Channel. ERP must not exceed 8 watts with an antenna height of no more than 15 meters (50 feet) AMSL or the ERP must not exceed 2 watts with an antenna height of no more than 30 meters (100 feet) AMSL.

(3) Coastal Waters Primary and Supplementary Channels. ERP must not exceed 125 watts with no antenna restrictions.

(4) Coastal Waters Local Channel. ERP must not exceed 10 watts with a maximum antenna height of 76 meters (250 feet) AMSL.

(5) Harmful interference will be determined and resolved using the definition and procedures of the ITU Radio Regulations.

(6) To keep the ERP and antenna elevations at a minimum and to limit coverage to the desired areas, an informal application may be filed for special temporary authority in accordance with §§1.41 and 1.931 of this chapter to conduct a field survey to obtain necessary data for informal application. Such data may accompany the application and be used in lieu of theoretical calculations as required in subpart P of this part. The Seattle FCC District Office must be notified in advance of scheduled tests.

(d) Canada/U.S.A. channeling arrangement for West Coast VHF maritime mobile public correspondence. (1) The provisions of the Canada/U.S. channeling arrangement apply to waters of the State of Washington and of the Province of British Columbia within the coordination boundaries of “Arrangement A” of the Canada/U.S.A. Frequency Coordination Agreement above 30 MHz. In addition, all inland waters as far south as Olympia are to be included. A map of these waters is contained in paragraph (d)(6) of this section, Figure 1.

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

(3) Public correspondence stations may be established by either country in accordance with the provisions of the arrangements. However, there must be an exchange of information prior to the establishment of new stations or a change in technical parameters of existing stations. Any channel except that used as primary or supplementary channel in a given sector is available for use as a local channel in that sector. Local channels are not protected from interference caused by primary or supplementary channels in adjacent sectors if these stations are in compliance with this section.

(4) Preliminary local Canadian/U.S. coordination is required for all applications at variance with this section. This coordination will be in accordance with the provisions of Arrangement “A” of the Canada/U.S. Frequency Coordination Agreement over 30 MHz. Stations at variance with the arrangement are not protected from interference and must not cause interference to existing or future stations which are in accordance with the agreement.

(5) The agreed channeling arrangements for the west coast are as follows:

(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.

2. Also assignable to Canadian station within the frequency coordination zone following successful coordination with the United States.

3. Changes to existing assignments and new assignments within the frequency coordination zone of either country are subject to prior coordination with the other Administration.

(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.

2. Also assignable to Canadian stations within the frequency coordination zone following successful coordination with the United States.

3. Changes to existing assignments and new assignments within the frequency coordination zone of either country are subject to prior coordination with the other Administration.

(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 U.S. Bank, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197–9000 at the address set forth in §1.1102. 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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

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.

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.

(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.

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

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%.

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.

(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

¹ Ship station transmitters, except hand-held portable transmitters, manufactured after January 21, 1987 must automatically reduce the carrier power to one watt or less when turned to the frequency 156.375 MHz or 156.650 MHz. All ship station tramsmitters, except hand-held portable transmitters, used after January 21, 1997, must automatically reduce power as described above. A manual override device must be provided which when held by the operator will permit full carrier power operation on channels 13 and 67. Hand-held portable transmitters must be capable of reducing power to one watt, but need not do so automatically.

(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.

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.

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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a) Radar transmitters must not transmit station identification.

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.

(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.

(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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a) 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.

(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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a) 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.

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.

Marine VHF public coast stations, including AMTS coast stations, may provide 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 certified 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.

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.

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.

(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).

(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 ITU–R M.492–6 (incorporated by reference, see §80.7).

(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.

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

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

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

(2) The primary intership safety frequency 156.300 MHz;

(3) One or more working frequencies; and

(4) All other frequencies necessary for its service.

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

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

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

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

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

(a) 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(9) T3. Third Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate (radiotelegraph operator's special certificate).

(10) T2. Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate.

(11) T1. First Class Radiotelegraph 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).

(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.

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.

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.

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.

(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.

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;

(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.

(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.

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 M.493–13 and ITU–R M.541–9 (both incorporated by reference, see §80.7), as modified by this section.

(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.

Address: 9 digit maritime mobile service identity of called station.

Category: Routine—symbol 100.

Self-identification: 9 digit ship station identity.

Message 1: Telecommand symbol 126 sent twice.

Message 2: Telecommand symbol 126 sent 6 times.

End of sequence: Symbol 127.

Error-check character: Check sum.

(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.

(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) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, 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) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(3) of this section, authorized channels may be programmed via computerized remote control by any person, provided that the remote control operation is designed to preclude the programming of channels not authorized to the licensee.

(5) 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 certification of 406.0–406.1 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 certification 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.

(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.

(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:

(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.

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,

at least 28 dB for transmitters installed on or after 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 406.0–406.1 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.

(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 and1/3of 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 and1/3of 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.

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

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

(2) For G3E emission: Carrier power;

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

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

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

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

(1) Public coast stations, except Alaska:

(i) Radiotelegraphy:

100–160 kHz—80kW

405–525 kHz—40kW

2035–2065 kHz—6.6kW

4000–8000 kHz—10kW

8000–9000 kHz—20kW

12000–27500 kHz—30kW

(ii) Radiotelephony:

2000–4000 kHz—day—800W

2000–4000 kHz—night—400W

4000–27500 kHz—10kW

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

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

405–525 kHz—265W

1605–12000 kHz—150W

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

(1) Coast stations:

156–162 MHz–50W^1,2,13

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

216–220 MHz²

² See paragraph (h) of this section.

(2) Marine utility stations:

156–162 MHz—10W

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

(1) Radiotelegraphy: All ships—2kW³

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

(2) Radiotelephony:

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

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

2182 kHz—emergency, urgency, or safety ship to shore—400W⁴

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

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

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

(3) Digital selective calling:

All ships 415–526.5 kHz—400 W

All ships 1605–4000 kHz—400 W

All ships 4000–27500 kHz—1.5 kW

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

(1) Ship stations 156–162 MHz—25W^{6, 13}

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

¹³ The frequencies 156.775 and 156.825 MHz are available for navigation-related port operations or ship movement only, and all precautions must be taken to avoid harmful interference to channel 16. Transmitter output power is limited to 1 watt for ship stations, and 10 watts for coast stations.

Marine utility stations and hand-held portable transmitters: 156–162 MHz–10W

(2) Ship stations 216–220 MHz—25W⁷

⁷ [Reserved]

(3) On board stations 456–468 MHz—4W⁸

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

(4) Ship earth stations 1626.5–1646.5 MHz⁹

⁹ See paragraph (k) of this section.

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

(6) EPIRB—121.500 and 243.00 MHz¹⁰

¹⁰ See subpart V of this part.

(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

F3E emission—50W

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

¹¹ See paragraph (l) of this section.

(3) Alaska—Private fixed:¹²

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

10–200 kHz—650W

405–525 kHz—265W

1605–12000 kHz—150W

(4) Alaska—Public fixed:

405–525 kHz—1kW

1605–12000 kHz—1kW

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

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

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

(3) 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.

(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 M.476–5 or ITU–R M.625–3 (both incorporated by reference, see §80.7), 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 M.625–3, 1995 (incorporated by reference, see §80.7). 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 M.625–3 (incorporated by reference, see §80.7).

(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.

(a) Survival craft stations capable of transmitting on:

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

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

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

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

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 M.476–5; ITU–R M.493–13; ITU–R M.541–9; ITU–R M.625–3; RTCM Paper 56–95/SC101–STD; and IEC 62238 (all incorporated by reference, see §80.7).

(a) The requirements for DSC equipment voluntarily installed in coast or ships stations are as follows:

(1) Prior to March 25, 2009, DSC equipment must meet the requirements of the following standards in order to be approved for use:

(i) RTCM Paper 56–95/SC101–STD and ITU–R M.493–13 (both incorporated by reference, see §80.7) (including only equipment classes A, B, D, and E); or

(ii) ITU–R M.493–13 and, in the case of Class D DSC equipment only, IEC 62238 (both incorporated by reference, see §80.7).

(2) Beginning March 25, 2009, the Commission will not accept new applications (but will continue to process then-pending applications) for certification of non-portable DSC equipment that does not meet the requirements of ITU–R M.493–13 and, in the case of Class D DSC equipment only, IEC 62238 (both incorporated by reference, see §80.7).

(3) Beginning March 25, 2012, the Commission will not accept new applications (but will continue to process then-pending applications) for certification of handheld, portable DSC equipment that does not meet the requirements of ITU–R M.493–13 and, in the case of Class D DSC equipment only, IEC 62238 (both incorporated by reference, see §80.7).

(4) The manufacture, importation, sale or installation of non-portable DSC equipment that does not comply with either of the standards referenced in paragraph (a)(2) of this section is prohibited beginning March 25, 2011.

(5) The manufacture, importation, or sale of handheld, portable DSC equipment that does not comply with either of the standards referenced in paragraph (a)(3) of this section is prohibited beginning March 25, 2015.

(6) Approved DSC equipment that has been manufactured, sold, and installed in conformity with the requirements of this section may be used indefinitely.

(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 M.476–5 or ITU–R M.625–3 or ITU–R M.493–13 (all incorporated by reference, see §80.7), 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.

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.

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

8376.25–8386.75

13360.0–13410.0

25500.0–25670.0

(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.

(a) Class B Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment must meet the technical requirements of IEC 62287–1 (incorporated by reference, see §80.7).

(b) In addition to the labels or other identifying information required under §§2.925 and 2.926 of this chapter, each Class B AIS device shall include a conspicuous label that includes: Instructions on how to accurately enter into the device and confirm static data pertaining to the vessel in which the device is or will be installed; and the following statement: “WARNING: It is a violation of the rules of the Federal Communications Commission to input an MMSI that has not been properly assigned to the end user, or to otherwise input any inaccurate data in this device.” Instructions on how to accurately enter and confirm static data in the device shall also be included in the user's manual for the device. The entry of static data into a Class B AIS device shall be performed by the vendor of the device or by an appropriately qualified person in the business of installing marine communications equipment on board vessels. In no event shall the entry of static data into a Class B AIS device be performed by the user of the device or the licensee of a ship station using the device. Knowingly programming a Class B AIS device with inaccurate static data, or causing a Class B AIS device to be programmed with inaccurate static data, is prohibited.

(c) Prior to submitting a certification application for a Class B AIS device, the following information must be submitted in duplicate to the Commandant (CG–521), 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; and

(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 IEC 62287–1.

(d) After reviewing the information described in paragraph (c) of this section, the U.S. Coast Guard will issue a letter stating whether the AIS device satisfies all of the requirements specified in IEC 62287–1.

(e) 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 IEC 62287–1, a copy of the technical test data, and the instruction manual(s).

(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, radar equipment and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS) equipment.

(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.

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) 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.

(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 B of this chapter and must have a sensitivity of not more than 2 microvolts;

(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 certified to meet the requirements of this section must be identified by an appropriate note in the Commission's database.

(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 the following standards (all incorporated by reference, see §80.7):

(1) IEC 60945;

(2) IEC 62388;

(3) IMO Resolution A.694(17), as revised by IMO Resolution MSC.149(77);

(4) IMO Resolution MSC.191(79);

(5) IMO Resolution MSC.192(79); and

(6) ITU–R M.1177–3.

(b) Radar equipment installed on voluntarily equipped vessels must comply with IEC 62252 (incorporated by reference, see §80.7).

(c) For any ship of 10,000 tons gross tonnage and upwards or that is otherwise required to be equipped with two radar systems, each of the two radar systems must be capable of operating independently and must comply with the specifications, standards and general requirements set forth on paragraph (b) 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).

(d) Radar installed before March 25, 2008 must meet and be maintained to comply with the Commission's regulations in effect for the equipment on the date of its installation.

(a) Prior to submitting a certification application for a Class A AIS device, the following information must be submitted in duplicate to the Commandant (G–PSE), 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).

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.

(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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

(a) 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]

(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.

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.

(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) If it is not carrying MF-DSC radio equipment, 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.

(2) 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) If it is not carrying MF–DSC radio equipment, 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.

(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.

(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.

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

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

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.

(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.

(c) 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;

(4) Particulars of the station's position;

(5) The nature of the distress;

(6) The kind of assistance desired; and

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

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

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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;

(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.

(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.

(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;

(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.

(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 (-NA-), 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.

(e) 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.

(f) 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”.

(g) 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.

(e) 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.

(f) 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.

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

(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.

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

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.

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) Immediately cancel the distress alert orally over the telephony distress traffic channel associated with each DSC channel on which the distress alert was transmitted;

(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) Immediately cancel the distress alert orally over the telephony distress traffic channel associated with each DSC channel on which the distress alert was transmitted; and

(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) Immediately cancel the distress alert orally over the telephony distress traffic channel associated with each DSC channel 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.

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

—Distress, urgency, safety, call and reply.

—Working.

—Digital selective calling (DSC).

—Narrow-band direct-printing (NB-DP).

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.

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

(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.