PUBLIC NOTICE
                                                                              
   Federal Communications Commission
   1919 M St., N.W.
   Washington, D.C. 20554

                                                                              
   
   Released: October 23, 1996

                                                                            WIR              ELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU CLARIFIES
APP        LICATION PROCEDURE  FOR SIX MONTHS SERVICE ENDORSEMENT

This notice is intended to clarify the requirements of Section 13.9(e) of the Commission's rules,
47 C.F.R.  13.9(e) for ship radio officers who wish to serve as the sole radio operator on board
a large U.S. cargo ship sailing on the high seas.  Applicants for a Six Months Service
Endorsement (First and Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's License) are not required to
submit copies of ship station logs in order to verify time at sea.  Instead, qualified applicants
having at least 180 days of creditable service should submit the information listed below to the
Federal Communications Commission, 1270 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325-7245.

 1.  A letter, signed by the vessel's master or owner/agent, certifying that the applicant
 served for at least 180 days onboard a ship or ships equipped with either a radio station
 complying with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act of 1934 or a government
 radio station.  The letter should also specify the vessel name, vessel call sign, dates of
 shipment and discharge, total number of days (minus any portion of single in port period
 exceeding seven days) served and the name(s) and certificate number of the chief radio
 officer holding a Six Months Service Endorsement on the vessel during shipment.

 2.  A completed FCC Form 756.

 3.  A copy of the applicant's First or Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator's License.

 4.  Two photographs as specified in the instructions for FCC Form 756.

 5.  A copy of the applicant's valid radio officer's license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

 6.  Certificate(s) of Discharge to Merchant Seaman.

FCC Form 756 is available from the FCC's Forms Distribution Center at (800) 418-FORM
(3676).  For further information concerning application procedures, contact the Consumer
Assistance Branch at (800) 322-1117.

-FCC-