Who Needs a Ship Station License
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. The term "voluntary ships" does not apply to the following:
- Cargo ships over 300 gross tons navigating in the open sea;
- Ships certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry more than 6 passengers for hire in the open sea or tidewaters of the U.S.;
- Power driven ships over 20 meters in length on navigable waterways;
- Ships of more than 100 gross tons certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry at least one passenger on navigable waterways;
- Tow boats of more than 7.8 meters in length on navigable waterways; and,
- Uninspected commercial fishing industry vessels required to carry a VHF radio.
- Ships required to carry an Automatic Identification System (AIS) transceiver by the U.S. Coast Guard regulations enacted pursuant to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2000.
Ships are considered as operating domestically when they do not travel to foreign ports or do not transmit radio communications to foreign stations. Sailing in international waters is permitted, so long as the previous conditions are met. 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.
Vessel Licensing
Obtaining a License
File FCC Form 605 with the FCC, through electronic filing in ULS. The license is valid for a term of ten years.
Per Public Notice DA 15-72, the FCC no longer mails license authorizations. Upon application grant, a link to print your official copy of your license will be automatically emailed to the email address that you provide on your application. Licensees may also log into ULS to download official authorizations. Instructions can be found at How to Obtain Official Authorizations from ULS.
Licensing a Fleet of Ships
Under certain conditions, two or more ships having a common owner or operator may be issued a fleet license for operation of all ship radio stations aboard the ships in the fleet. This allows an applicant to file a single application for multiple ships. The total fee due for the fleet license, however, is the fee due for a single license multiplied by the total number of ships in the fleet. You must retain a copy of the fleet license with the station records on each ship. Fleet licensing is not available for any vessel required to have its own MMSI number; such vessels must be licensed individually. If any of the vessels use DSC or AIS equipment, an MMSI number is required and you must apply for individual licenses rather than a fleet license. When filing Renewals, Renewal Modifications, Modifications and Updates to fleet licenses, applicants are required to attach a self-certification statement to their filing. This statement should indicate that the licensee does not have DSC or AIS on-board any of the vessels that are covered by the fleet license. If it is discovered that there is DSC or AIS equipment on-board, a regular license should be obtained for each vessel that requires an MMSI. The fleet license should then be modified to reduce the number in the fleet, or cancelled if there are fewer than two vessels that do not require MMSIs.
License Renewals
IMPORTANT NOTE: The procedures described above for making changes to your license DO NOT apply if you are selling your vessel. In those circumstances, see the information described below under “What to Do If Selling Your Ship."
If you operate a marine VHF radio, radar, or EPIRBs aboard a voluntary ship operating domestically, you are not required to renew your current license. Although a license is no longer required for these ships, you may still renew your license and retain your call sign.
The FCC will send you a Renewal Reminder Notice via email (if an email address is on file) approximately 120 days prior to the expiration date of your license. You must submit a Renewal application electronically via ULS along with the proper payment to renew your license.
If you submit an application for renewal before your current license expires, you may continue to operate until the FCC acts on your application. You do not need a temporary permit but you should keep a copy of the renewal application you send the FCC.
License renewal applications must be filed on a timely basis. Timely-filed renewals are applications that are filed no sooner than 90 days before the expiration date and no later than the expiration date of the current license. When a renewal request is submitted after the expiration date, including those filed within 30 days after the expiration date, the applicant is required to submit a waiver request with the application. Renewal applications filed no later than 30 days after the expiration date will be granted as long as the application includes a waiver request and is otherwise sufficient under the Commission’s rules. Renewal applications filed more than 30 days after the expiration date must include a waiver request, but will be subject to stricter review and will not be routinely granted(link to DA 03-2729). Alternatively, if your license has expired, you may complete an application for a new station license.
What to Do If Selling Your Ship
If you sell your ship, you may request a cancellation of your license via ULS
Once your license is cancelled, the new owner may apply for a NEW license.
For instructions on how to change an MMSI in a vessel’s radio or allow the MMSI to follow the vessel to its new owner, please see MMSI.
Or you may request a transfer of control or assignment of the vessel to the new owner. See "Assigning or Transferring a Ship Station License."
If you have a RESTRICTED RADIOTELEPHONE OPERATOR PERMIT, you should retain it for future use since it is authorized for your lifetime.
Assigning or Transferring a Ship Station License
Subject to the FCC's advance approval, you may assign a Ship Station License (as when you are selling a vessel) or transfer control of a Ship Station License (as when there is a change in the ownership of the licensee or its parent company). To obtain the FCC's approval for the assignment or transfer of control, you must electronically file FCC Form 603 via ULS. After the transaction is consummated, the assignee/transferee must file a notification of consummation through ULS. The notification of consummation must be filed within thirty (30) days of the actual consummation. (It must also be filed within six months after the FCC gives public notice of its consent to the application.)
Making Changes During Your License Term
If you change your mailing address, email address, legal name, or emergency contact information for your vessel, you must complete an Administrative Update in ULS. There is no fee required. No action is required when you add or replace a transmitter that operates in the same frequency band . However, please ensure that any new transmitters are properly programmed with your vessel's assigned MMSI. Should your license require any corrections that you are unable to address directly in ULS (i.e. corrections to vessel data, official ship number, or MMSI), please submit a help request with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Support Services or call 1-877-480-3201. Please note that changes can only be supported when the data corrections are for the same physical vessel. Should you need to license a new vessel, please file an application for a new ship station license. In order to assist staff in processing your request, please be certain that the description field includes:
- Licensee name
- Vessel Call sign
- Name of Vessel
- Official Ship Number (Coast Guard Documentation No. or State Registration No.)
- If requesting a change in official ship number, attach supporting documentation to your request. This documentation may include USCG vessel documentation or a state registration certificate.
- Correct MMSI Number
Should you need to correct the MMSI number already programmed into your DSC-capable VHF marine radio, please follow the radio manufacturer’s guidelines in order to reset your MMSI input.
Lost Licenses or Permits
If you lose your license, you can obtain an Electronic Authorization by logging into License Manager.
Operator Licensing
Obtaining a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
File FCC Form 605 electronically in the Universal Licensing System (ULS) with the FCC. Testing is not required to obtain this permit, and it is valid for the lifetime of the licensee. When filing, you must pay any applicable fees otherwise the application will be dismissed.
Per Public Notice DA 15-72, the FCC no longer mails license authorizations. Upon application grant, a link to print your official copy of your license will be automatically emailed to the email address that you provide on your application. Licensees may also log into ULS to download official authorizations. Instructions can be found at How to Obtain Official Authorizations from ULS.
Operating a Marine Radio While Your Applications are Being Processed
You may operate your marine radio after you have submitted your application(s) to the FCC via ULS, and it is in a pending status. The temporary operating authority is valid for 90 days after you submit your application to the FCC and should be kept with your station records until you receive your electronic license authorization.
Making Changes During Your License Term
If you change your mailing address, email address, or legal name, you must complete an Administrative Update in ULS. There is no fee required.
Lost Licenses or Permits
If you lose your license, you can obtain an Electronic Authorization by logging into License Manager.