International Ship's Radio License ?

Skipper

Skipper

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Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
I saw this referenced in the "Mexico..." thread.

I've found unclear info on this subject in the uscc and FCC sites. Although, information seems to avoid me. I usually have to ask direct questions of an actuall person :)

Is an FCC license required for international travel for VHF? Or is it only the SSB and Ham bands? I don't have the big radios, only VHF, AIS, and a weatherfax receiver.

Is the license required by the FCC, or is it required by the foreign ports?

Does the US require the same things of foreign visitors?

Thank you

**Updated new question 2/24**
 
Last edited:
L

LloydB

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Jan 15, 2006
927
Macgregor 22 Silverton
gleaned from the FCC website... http://wireless.fcc.gov..............(Ship Radio Stations Home)
You do not need a license to operate a marine VHF radio, radar, or EPIRBs aboard voluntary ships operating domestically. The term "voluntary ships" refers to ships that are not required by law to carry a radio. Generally, this term applies to recreation or pleasure craft. it is further defined by FCC...

If you travel to a foreign port (e.g., Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands), a license is required. Additionally, if you travel to a foreign port, you are required to have an operator permit.
*note this is a USA rule, it may not necessarily be true of the port we visit but why would you not know their requirements there also? and the fees
 
Erieau

Erieau

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Apr 3, 2009
209
Oday 25 Erieau
For my trips to US ports from Canada, FCC rules required that I get a station licence (in my case, from Industry Canada Spectrum Management, so I did. Was I ever asked to produce the thing? No.
 
Skipper

Skipper

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Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
LloydB said:
gleaned from the FCC website... http://wireless.fcc.gov..............(Ship Radio Stations Home)
You do not need a license to operate a marine VHF radio, radar, or EPIRBs aboard voluntary ships operating domestically. The term "voluntary ships" refers to ships that are not required by law to carry a radio. Generally, this term applies to recreation or pleasure craft. it is further defined by FCC...

If you travel to a foreign port (e.g., Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands), a license is required. Additionally, if you travel to a foreign port, you are required to have an operator permit.
*note this is a USA rule, it may not necessarily be true of the port we visit but why would you not know their requirements there also? and the fees
Click to expand
I understand the domestic rules.

I don't know their (other ports) requirements in bulk, that's why I'm asking. If there are radio requirements abroad that can be satisfied by a single license issued by the FCC, then that would be fabulous.

Also, I still do not know if an FCC license required for international travel for VHF, or if it is only the SSB and Ham bands.

And why would the FCC give a flying flag about my radio in other countries? And how would they even know if I had a license or not? ---off the original question, no need to answer :)

Last, does the U.S. require foreign vessels IE: a sailing pleasure craft from France, to carry an International Ship's Radio license for a VHF radio? That would seem to conflict with "You do not need a license to operate a marine VHF radio, radar, or EPIRBs aboard voluntary ships operating domestically." Unless the term "domestically" refers only to U.S. flagged vessels.

This is what I mean by "unclear".
 
Chris Patterson

Chris Patterson

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Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
I've carried a ticket for many years and have never shown it to anyone. But transmit out of band without one, and get caught, whoo buddy. I've never been a fan of spending money on failing enterprises and governments, but a ten dollar license seems to beat a ten thousand dollar max fine..
 
Skipper

Skipper

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Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
I think I found some answers, by pounding Google with different strings, bringing me to other forums and links, none of the useful ones of which go to the FCC.

If you are transmitting to foreign stations, the FCC requires the permits. A permit for the radio and one for the operator (as another said). I guess the FCC is concerned about your communicating with foreign countries, or maybe there is a treaty....doesn't matter.

And it does include VHF.

The lingering question is, if I have the 2 permits, am I good with all the foreign port regs? I want to be able to sail to anywhere to friendly ports in the Caribbean. I may not know the ports to which I'm ultimately going when I leave home, and would like the freedom to choose on the fly without being harassed and fleeced.
 
joker460

joker460

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Apr 27, 2010
968
Beneteau 352 Hull #276 Ontario
Radio licensing is covered under international agreements to which the U.S., Canada and virtually every other country is a party to.

Therefore if you travel outside the USA, your license will cover the other countries requirements.

It's the same in Canada. If I go to the USA I legally require a Canadian ROC License and a station license.

Nobody I know; that has traveled extensively, has ever been asked.
 
Skipper

Skipper

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Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
joker460 said:
Radio licensing is covered under international agreements to which the U.S., Canada and virtually every other country is a party to.

Therefore if you travel outside the USA, your license will cover the other countries requirements.

It's the same in Canada. If I go to the USA I legally require a Canadian ROC License and a station license.

Nobody I know; that has traveled extensively, has ever been asked.
Click to expand
Fabulous. Thank you for this info.
 
windward54

windward54

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Mar 12, 2008
557
Jeanneau 49 DS San Pedro, CA
And don't forget the Restricted Radio Operator's License as well as the ship license.
 
joker460

joker460

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Apr 27, 2010
968
Beneteau 352 Hull #276 Ontario
Our ROC is the Radio Operators Certificate. Requires a test and a one time fee. The station license is an annual fee (tax grab:cussing:).

And don't get me started on the Toronto Harbour License requirement.
 
Delezynski

Delezynski

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Jan 22, 2008
551
NorSea 27 Az., Doing the To-Do list
Another item that I did not see brought up on this or the other thread......

I heave seen a few say they have never been asked for there call sign. WELL... they must have not used the SSB and/or the HAM radio to get email while at sea!

If you want to use Sailmail or Winlink to get your email at sea.......
YOU MUST have a valid ticket!!! :naughty:

Greg
 
NotCook

NotCook

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Dec 29, 2008
806
Treworgy 65' LOA Custom Steel Pilothouse Staysail Ketch St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Delezynski said:
If you want to use Sailmail or Winlink to get your email at sea.......
YOU MUST have a valid ticket!!! :naughty:

Greg
Click to expand
Greg, how involved is getting the license for SSB/HAM? I know that requires more that the Restricted Radiotelephone Operators Permit. Does it still require Morse Code and all that stuff it used to require?
 
Delezynski

Delezynski

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Jan 22, 2008
551
NorSea 27 Az., Doing the To-Do list
Notcook,

The SSB is just an FCC issued ticket. No test.

The HAM ticket is a lot easier than it used to be. You DO need a "General" class ticket to use voice (speak) and use the long range frequencies. You do NOT need to know code. There are many places on the web to learn what is required now. If you make it a fun game, it's not hard to get.

Greg
 
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Chris Patterson

Chris Patterson

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Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
I never said I didn't use my call sign, that happens every ten minutes. I'm referring to the actual piece of paper..
 
Skipper

Skipper

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Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
In the FCC application, it asks the question, "Will you be communicating with foreign stations?" (Paraphrase).

Does my answer to this question affect the actual license appearance or status?

In another internet site, they recommend answering "No" to this question, as a "Yes" answer may incur additional inquiry.
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,056
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Skipper said:
In the FCC application, it asks the question, "Will you be communicating with foreign stations?" (Paraphrase).

Does my answer to this question affect the actual license appearance or status?

In another internet site, they recommend answering "No" to this question, as a "Yes" answer may incur additional inquiry.
Click to expand
On an international licence application, this seems to be a rather silly question, huh? :)

I would recommend honesty.
 
Skipper

Skipper

.
Oct 9, 2008
1,742
Bristol 29.9 Dana Point
justsomeguy said:
On an international licence application, this seems to be a rather silly question, huh? :)
Click to expand
Yes, it would.

It's not titled an "International" license by the FCC. That was only the title of my post. However, the Ship Station License is apparently recognized internationally.
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,056
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Skipper said:
Yes, it would.

It's not titled an "International" license by the FCC. That was only the title of my post. However, the Ship Station License is apparently recognized internationally.
Click to expand
Ah, my mistake. But I'll still stand by the honesty policy. ;)
 
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