1. Small passenger vessels that sail only on inland lakes and waterways (other than the Great Lakes) are exempt from radio carriage regulations. Likewise, small passenger vessels of less than 50 gross tons that sail in the open ocean or in bays, sounds, and other tidewater areas bordering on the open sea but never more than 300 meters (1000 feet) from shore are also exempt from radio carriage regulations. If vessels of this class carry a radio, no inspection of the radio is required and, if the radio operates only on VHF frequencies and if the vessel does not sail to a foreign port, the radio is exempt from the licensing requirement.
   
   
2. Small passenger vessels that sail on the Great Lakes must meet the radio carriage requirements of the Great Lakes Agreement. This is a treaty between the United States and Canada governing radio carriage requirements for ships navigating on the Great Lakes. Those rules are contained in Subpart T of Part 80 of FCC Rules, Sections 80.951 through 80.971. The Coast Guard also requires carriage of an EPIRB if the vessel sails more than 5.6 km (3 miles) from shore on the Great Lakes.
   
   
3. Small passenger vessels that sail in bays, harbors, rivers and sounds adjacent to the open ocean or in the open ocean not more than 32 km (20 miles) from the nearest land but always within communication of a VHF coast station that maintains a continuous watch on VHF Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) must carry a VHF radio installation. The Coast Guard also requires carriage of an EPIRB if the vessel sails more than 4.8 km (3 miles) from shore in the open sea.
   
   
4. Small passenger vessels that sail in the open sea more than 32 km (20 miles) but not more than 160 km (100 miles) from the nearest land must also carry a medium frequency (MF) radio installation providing communication capability on 2182, 2638, 2670 kHz and a public coast station frequency in the 1710-2850 kHz band.
   
   
5. Small passenger vessels sailing more than 160 km (100 miles) but not more than 320 km (200 miles) from shore must, in addition to the VHF and MF installations mentioned above, carry either
   
   
   1. a single sideband radiotelephone installation capable of operating on all of the medium frequency (MF) and high frequency (HF) channels used for distress and safety communications listed in Section 80.905(a)(3)(iii)(A) or
      
      
   2. an INMARSAT ship earth station through which continuous distress alerting by satellite is available. The earth station must include an EGC receiver to enable receipt of NAVTEX information when the vessel is beyond the range of stations transmitting NAVTEX on 518 kHz.
   
   
   
   
   The vessel must also carry a reserve source of energy capable of powering all of the above equipment, must carry a NAVTEX receiver for receipt of maritime safety information and be equipped with a Category 1 satellite (406 MHz) EPIRB. The EPIRB may be the same one required by Coast Guard rules on voyages of more than 5.6 km (3 miles) from shore. If a ship earth station is elected in lieu of the single sideband combined MF/HF installation described above, and if it is an INMARSAT A, the reserve source of energy must include an uninterruptable power supply so that if regular ship's power is interrupted, satellite communications will still be possible. If the earth station is an INMARSAT C, the uninterruptable power supply is not required.
   
   
6. Small passenger vessels operated more than 320 km (200 miles) from shore must carry, in addition to all of the equipment specified above, a radiotelephone distress frequency watch receiver meeting the requirements of Section 80.269 of the Rules and an automatic radiotelephone alarm signal generator meeting the requirements of Section 80.221 of the Rules.
   
   

1. A valid station license must be posted at the station's control point or otherwise readily available to the operator on duty. The license must:
   
   
   1. Not be expired;
      
      
   2. Show the current vessel owner, operator, or master as the licensee (A license issued to a previous owner is not valid, even though not yet expired.);
      
      
   3. Indicate that the vessel is licensed to comply with Title III, Part III of the Communications Act (A license indicating a recreational vessel is unacceptable. If so licensed, the licensee must apply for a license modification.);
      
      
   4. Accurately reflect the kinds of transmitters installed aboard the vessel (If transmitters are installed for frequency bands not shown on the station license, the licensee must apply for a license modification.).
      
      
2. A licensed radio operator must be available during an inspection and must be assigned to the vessel whenever it sails. The minimum class of licensed operator for compulsory vessels is the holder of a Marine Radio Operator Permit. Individuals holding a General Radiotelephone Operator License, a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate, or a GMDSS Radio Operator's License may also serve as radio operators aboard compulsory small passenger vessels. The holder of a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is not authorized to operate the radio of a compulsory vessel.
   
   
3. If the inspection is for renewal of an expiring Communication Act Safety Radiotelephony Certificate, the soon-to-expire certificate should be available for inspection on board the vessel.
   
   
4. A current copy of Part 80 of FCC Rules should be available. It may be kept either on board the vessel or at a convenient location on shore.
   
   
5. Small passenger vessels must have a radio station log containing the following entries:
   
   
   1. A summary of all distress, urgent, and safety traffic;
      
      
   2. A summary of communications conducted on other than VHF frequencies between the ship station and land or mobile stations (not required if only a VHF radio is installed);
      
      
   3. A reference to important service incidents;
      
      
   4. The position of the vessel at least once a day;
      
      
   5. The name of the operator on duty and the beginning and ending of the watch period;
      
      
   6. The time the watch begins when the vessel leaves port, and the time it ends when the vessel returns to port;
      
      
   7. The time the watch is discontinued, including the reason, and the time the watch is resumed;
      
      
   8. The times when storage batteries provided as a part of the required radiotelephone installation are placed on charge and taken off charge;
      
      
   9. The results of required equipment tests, including specific gravity of lead-acid storage batteries and voltage readings of other types of storage batteries provided as a part of the compulsory radio installation.
      
      
   10. The results of inspections and tests of compulsorily fitted lifeboat radio equipment (not required if not fitted);
       
       
   11. A daily statement about the condition of the required radiotelephone equipment, as determined by either normal communication or test communication.
       
       
   
   
   If the vessel is subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act (more than 20 meters in length or more than 100 gross tons and carrying at least one passenger), the radio log must also show when the master is notified about any improperly operating radiotelephone equipment.
   
   
   
   The vessel's radio log must also include an easily identifiable section reserved for recording the details of the radio inspection as follows:
   
   
   1. The date the inspection was conducted;
      
      
   2. The date by which the next inspection needs to be completed;
      
      
   3. The inspector's printed name, address and class of FCC license (including the serial number).
      
      
   4. The results of the inspection, including a list of any repairs made.
      
      
   5. The inspector's signed and dated certification that the vessel meets the requirements of Subpart S of Part 80 of FCC Rules (and Subpart U if the vessel is subject to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act).
      
      
   6. The vessel owner, operator, or ship's master's signed and dated certification that the inspection was satisfactory.
      
      
   
   
   
6. Every compulsory small passenger vessel must carry a VHF radio installation consisting of a transmitter and receiver capable of operating on at least VHF marine channels 6 and 16 (156.300 and 156.800 MHz, respectively) and on at least one frequency used by a local marine operator (public coast frequency) serving the area that the vessel normally traverses. The control point must be located convenient to the location from which the vessel is steered.
   
   
   
   The transmitter must:
   
   
   1. Have a power output of not less than 20 watts nor more than 25 watts with capability of reducing power to not more than 1 watt.
      
      
   2. Maintain a frequency tolerance of 10 Hz/MHz.
      
      
   3. Be capable of passing a 10 minute power test with the transmitter drawing power only from the ship's battery. At the end of a 10-minute transmission the transmitter input voltage must be not less than 11.5 volts and the power output must be not less than 15 watts. For terminal voltages between 11.5 and 12.6, the terminal output power must be not less than that calculated with the formula:
      
      P = 4.375(V) - 35.313
      
      
   4. Be capable of voice modulation that normally produces peaks between 75 and 100 percent (100% being defined as 5 kHz deviation).
      
      
   
   
   The receiver provided with the VHF installation must:
   
   
   1. Be capable of being tuned to at least the above channels required for the transmitter.
      
      
   2. Have sufficient sensitivity to permit communication with coast stations and other ship stations in the vessel's area of operation.
      
      
   3. Be fitted with a loudspeaker having sufficient output to allow reception of messages in ambient noise levels normally associated with the environment aboard vessels.
      
      
   4. Be fitted with an illuminated dial or other illumination so that the radio operator can visually determine to which radio channel the equipment is tuned during night hours.
      
      
   
   
   
7. The radio installation must be connected to a source of energy capable of powering the equipment at its full rated output. If the source of energy consists of batteries, they must be installed as high above the bilge as practicable, mounted securely to prevent shifting with motion of the vessel, provided with a means of charging and provided either with an ammeter to indicate charging rate or an expanded scale voltmeter to indicate state of charge. There must be at least 26 cm (10 inches) of head room over the batteries to allow servicing and ventilation. The batteries must be of sufficient capacity to provide for at least 3 hours of continuous operation of the radio at its rated power output.
   
   
   
   FCC rules do not prohibit use of the vessel's engine starting battery as the main source of energy. However, an emergency situation at sea involving an engine failure might result in a discharged engine starting battery at a time when the radio would be needed to call for assistance. Therefore, inspectors should encourage vessel operators to provide a main energy source, other than the engine starting battery, that would be less likely to become depleted in an emergency situation.
   
   
   
   Whenever the age, appearance, size, energy requirements or service history of a storage battery used as a main or reserve source of energy makes it appear to the inspector that it might no longer have sufficient capacity to meet the 3-hour operating requirement, the inspector should make a discharge test to confirm the required capacity.
   
   
8. If the vessel is over 100 gross tons in size it must be provided with a reserve source of energy in addition to the main source of energy. When the reserve energy source consists of batteries, they must meet the same requirements as the main source of energy. In addition the reserve source of energy must be independent of the vessel's propulsion system and independent of all other electrical systems on the vessel. The reserve source of energy must be immediately available for use at any time.
   
   
9. The VHF installation must be connected to an efficient, vertically polarized antenna mounted as high above the waterline as practicable. The antenna must be connected to the transmitter and receiver with coaxial cable that is as short as practicable, protected from physical damage, sealed to prevent entry of water and capable of carrying radio frequency energy without excessive loss. The inspector should reject the antenna-transmission line assembly if the standing wave ratio equals or exceeds 2.5:1 at the operating frequencies.
   
   
   
   The installation must be provided with a means of indicating visually whenever the transmitter is supplying power to the transmitting antenna.
   
   
   
   The radio should be installed in a protected area of the vessel where it is available to the helmsman and protected from water spray. It should also be protected from access by unauthorized individuals at times when the vessel is not manned.
   
   
10. If the vessel is certified for operation beyond 32 kilometers (20 miles) from shore or if it sails beyond the range of VHF coast stations it must, in addition to the VHF installation, carry a MF (medium frequency) installation consisting of:
    
    
    
    A transmitter capable of:
    
    
    1. At least 60 watts (PEP) power output with type J3E emission (single sideband, upper sideband only);
       
       
    2. Operation on 2182 kHz and 2638 kHz. Additionally, at least one MF ship-to-shore public coast working frequency is required when in an area served by a public coast operating in the 1700 to 2850 kHz band. When operating in an area not served by an MF public coast station, 2670 kHz is also required;
       
       
    3. Maintaining a frequency tolerance of ±20 Hz. If the transmitter is also fitted for narrow band direct printing telegraphy or digital selective calling, the frequency tolerance is ±10 Hz (20 Hz if the transmitter was installed before January 2, 1992).
       
       
    
    
    The transmitter must be provided with a device to indicate when the transmitter is supplying power to the antenna.
    
    
    
    The MF receiver must be capable of receiving J3E emission on all of the frequencies required for transmitting. It must also be capable of receiving type H3E in addition to J3E emission on 2182 Khz. It must have adequate sensitivity to enable satisfactory communication with other stations in the vessel's area of operation.
    
    
11. The MF transmitter and receiver should be provided with an antenna and tuning mechanism for efficient radiation on the required frequencies. As with the VHF installation, the MF equipment should be installed in a protected area of the vessel and secured against unauthorized access at times when the vessel is unmanned. When a reserve source of electrical energy is required, the MF installation must be capable of being powered by the reserve energy source in addition to the main energy source.
    
    

NOTES



If the vessel being inspected is larger than 100 gross tons or is more than 20 meters in length, it must also carry a radiotelephone installation that meets the requirements of the Bridge-to-Bridge Act. (Sections 80.1101 through 80.1023) These requirements are similar to other Communications Act requirements except that the VHF radiotelephone must have operating capability on Channels 13 (156.650 MHz) and 22A (157.100 MHz). If the vessel transits certain waterways of the lower Mississippi River, the bridge-to-bridge radio must also be capable of operating on Channel 67 (156.375 MHz).



Vessels carrying a bridge-to-bridge radio installation should have that installation inspected concurrently with the inspection of the other compulsory equipment. If deficiencies are discovered in the bridge-to-bridge installation that cannot be immediately corrected, the inspector should note pertinent facts in the radio log. Since the bridge-to-bridge radio is also a Coast Guard requirement, the inspector should bring noted deficiencies to the attention of his local Coast Guard Marine Safety Office. Deficiencies in the bridge-to-bridge radio equipment will not, however, affect approval of other compulsory radio components nor hinder issuance of a safety radiotelephony certificate.