Call or Text: 631-786-7302 PRINT

Small Passenger Vessel

(Under 20m -&- Under 100T-&- Under 150 Pass)

 Before setting up an inspection and in order to qualify for the Communications Act Safety Radiotelephony Certificate, please insure the following:

 All small passenger vessels under 20m need three documents to be compliant:

1.     A Ship Station Authorization issued by the FCC

  • Issued with a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number

  • Issued with a Call Sign

2.     The person piloting onboard to have a Marine Radio Operators Permit

3.     Communications Act Safety Radiotelephony Certificate (CASRC)

  • For vessels 20 meters or under, Under 100 GRT, Under 150 passengers

47 CFR 80, Subpart S—Compulsory Radiotelephone Installations for Small Passenger Boats 

“Every vessel subject to Part III of Title III of the Communications Act must have a detailed inspection of the radio installation by an FCC-licensed technician in accordance with once every five years….”

Insure that the ALL radio(s) are completely accessible (front and back).  For flush mounted units that do not slide out easily, insure that access has been opened to reach the antenna connection.

 

Sea Area A1:  Inland Rivers, Lakes Bays & Sounds, Coastwise to 20 nm

At least 1 VHF-DSC that is in good working order.  The following must work:  Back round light, speaker, microphone, LCD screen and TX indicator, etc.

  • The radio must display the position of the vessel either by wiring in a GPS, or by having a GPS that is already built in

  • The radio must transmit 20-25 watts (47 CFR 80.911)

  • The VHF-DSC must be able to transmit/ receive of CH: 13,16

  • The VHF-DSC should be located at the conning position of the vessel.

  • Must be hooked up to a VHF antenna that is in good working order and that is free of excessive physical wear, abrasion & obstruction

  • The vessel’s MMSI 10digit number is programmed into the radio

Main Power Supply:  Vessel battery system w/inverter (with charging indicator) from generation source that power the above radios is fully charged and/ or in good working order.

Reserve Power Supply: The reserve power supply must be independent of the ship's propulsion and of any other electrical system, and be sufficient to simultaneously energise the radiotelephone(s) transmitter/ receiver at its required output power, for at least 3 hours. The reserve power supply must be available for use at all times.   When the reserve power supply consists of batteries, they must be installed as high above the bilge as practicable, secured against shifting with motion of the vessel, and accessible with not less than 26 cm (10 in.) head room.  The reserve power supply must be located as near the required transmitter and receiver as practicable.  (47 CFR 80.915)

-OR-

Beginning January 2, 2013, any small passenger vessel that does not carry a reserve power supply must carry at least one VHF handheld radiotelephone. (47 CFR 80.917)

 

Required Documentation:

  • A current unexpired FCC Radio Station Authorization, FCC Form 605 (aka “Station License”) that is in the current vessel owners name.  This document is non-transferable from a prior owner UNLESS the Whole corporation was acquired with the vessel

  • A “Marine Radio Operators Permit” of a licensed individual who works onboard. Turn into link: MAR Page MROP

  • Current DOHS “Cert. of Documentation” or USCG “Cert. of Inspection (COI)”

Emergency Broadcast Placard: a durable placard with vessel name, call sign and recommended emergency broadcast instructions (46 CFR 184.506 & 184.510)

Logbook:  Either a dedicated Radio Logbook, or a Vessel Log where entries may be made and kept for transmission tests, inspections, new radio installation (and/or repairs) and Emergency transmissions.

EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon):  Vessels operating on the high seas (oceans, coastwise, limited coastwise) must have on board an FCC Type Accepted Category 1, 406 MHz EPIRB, installed to automatically float free and activate.

  • With current NOAA registration Sticker

  • Battery that has not expired

  • Note: The hydrostatic release falls under the USCG jurisdiction, and is not part of the radio inspection process

Sea Area A2: 20nm to 100 nm

In addition to the requirements for Sea Area A1, the following is required:

SSB/ MF/ HF Transmitter

  • Vessels operated beyond 20 nautical miles but not more than 100 nautical miles from the nearest land, must be equipped with a MF-DSC capable of transmitting J3E emission and a receiver capable of reception of J3E emission within the band 1710 to 2850 kHz. “In addition to the VHF-DSC radiotelephone installation required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, except that a MF radiotelephone installation without DSC capability is permitted until one year after the Coast Guard notifies the Commission that shore-based sea area A2 coverage is established. The MF or MF-DSC transmitter and receiver must be capable of operation on 2670 kHz.

    (See:  47 CFR 80.905(2))

Note 1: As of 12/2020, Sea Area A2 has not been fully established and an MF-DSC is not required at this time

Note 2: An SSB (Single Side Band) or HF transmitter will meet this requirement as its frequency ranges encompasses that of the MF Range

 

Sea Area A2: 100nm to 200 nm ( 47 CFR 80.905(3))

Sea Area A2: 200nm outward (47 CFR 80.905(4))