Ship Station License (SSB/VHF) Radio Operator’s License (SSB/VHF)
A ship station license is required to oper- In order to use a SSB or VHF radio in-
ate an SSB radio on board. Most recreational ternationally on a recreational vessel, you
boats operating in U.S. waters do not require must have a Restricted Radio Operator’s
a license for operating a VHF radio. Excep- Permit from the FCC. To apply for a permit,
tions include boats more than 20 meters long file FCC Forms 605 and 159. No exam is
or carrying more than six passengers. A ship required for a Restricted Radio Operator’s
station license is needed for a VHF radio if Permit. The permit costs $50 and is good for
visiting foreign ports your lifetime. Forms are available by calling
A ship station license is good for 10 years 800-418-3676, or online at www.fcc.gov/
and costs $145. To apply for a license, you formpage.html.
must complete Forms 159 and 605 and file No license is required to use a VHF within
them with the FCC. Forms are available by U.S. coastal waters.
calling 800-418-3676, or online at www.fcc.
gov/formpage.html.
DSC-VHF MMSI’s
radios. In the future, however, most com-
mercial vessels as well as the Coast Guard
If you have a VHF radio with Digital Se- may be using DSC exclusively.
lective Calling (DSC) functions, you must The FCC has formed agreements with Sea
obtain a Mobile Maritime Service Identifier Tow International (info@seatow.com, 800-
adio
(MMSI) in order to use the radio. A MMSI is 473-2869, www.seatow.com) and BoatUS
like a phone number used to call your radio. (703-461-2864; www.boatus.com) to provide
It also is used to provide specific information MMSIs to recreational vessels that are not ine R
about your vessel if you send a DSC distress required by law to have DSC-enabled radios.
ar
signal. Most recreational vessels are not re- The registration is free. Contact any one of
M
quired to carry DSC-enabled VHF or SSB them for more information.
GMDSS
equipped with Digital Selective Calling
(DSC) and linked to GPS systems.
The Global Maritime Distress and Safety The Coast Guard shore networks are being
System (GMDSS) is designed to provide upgraded to include the GMDSS Digital Se-
omms
rapid, automated distress reporting on lective Calling (DSC) on several HF frequen- C
maritime VHF, MF and HF radio bands; to cies, 2187.5 kHz MF, and on VHF 70.
incorporate the Inmarsat and the EPIRB Other elements of the GMDSS that smaller
satellite systems into a global safety system; vessels should be aware of include the 406
and to provide for the timely dissemination MHz satellite EPIRB designed to provide
of safety information, including navigational rapid alert, identification and location infor-
warnings and weather forecasts, by all these mation to search and rescue authorities; the
mediums. coastal NAVTEX broadcast system provides
GMDSS is mandatory for all ships subject marine weather forecasts, navigation warn-
to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Conven- ings, and search and rescue alerts; high seas
tion. This includes all U.S. ships of 300 or SafetyNET broadcast system delivered by the
more gross tons and passenger ships carrying Inmarsat-C system providing information
more than 12 passengers under certain cir- similar to NAVTEX; and the Search and Res-
cumstances. Although this precludes nearly cue Transponder (SART) for life rafts used to
all yachts, the IMO and the U.S. Coast Guard aid in the location of shipwreck survivors by
encourage all vessels to voluntarily carry enhancing the radar visibility of small targets.
selected GMDSS systems, primarily radios
817