FCC Radio License

[baz]

Subject: FCC Radio License

The FCC Radio License is required if one is cruising into international waters. When the license is obtained an MMSI number is provided and it is this MMSI number that is meaningful when you operate the VHF radio in international waters. A BoatUS MMSI will not be accepted/recognized when in international waters.

From the FCC website...
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.

I've had the FCC Radio License for all my RT boats, and found the license cannot be transferred from one boat to the next.

The license once obtained is good for 10 years. When the license is near to its expiration date the FCC will alert you to the renewal.

To apply for the FCC Radio License the boat's name and either the USCG Certificate of Documentation (COD) or the State's registration number is required. If your last boat had a Radio License it's best to cancel it to avoid data collisions with the FCC data bases before applying for a new license. Your old boat's name can be reused when applying for a new license.

The cost for the 10 yr license at this time is $220.

If you need assistance it's wise to call the IT FCC Licensing Support Center at (877) 480-3201

 

[Martin610]

I didn't realize that the Boat US MMSI was not approved for International waters. We may run the boat up to Canada, so that's an issue. I think my AIS system uses that number, compounding the problem.

I have a RROP license, pretty sure that's good for life. I'll have to check on that. Is that the FCC license you refer to, or was it something else?

-martin

 

[Chimo]

Thanks Barry

That's a really good reminder for us all. From the other side of the border there is only one source of an MMSI number and that comes as part of the radio licensing system, renewable annually. The radio operator certificate is for life.

 

[baz]

I posted my OP because I was wanting to configure my AIS 800 for my new RT29 CB ASAP. The AIS 800 configuration requires the MMSI and the boat's name.

I thought at first I could easily and quickly obtain an MMSI from BoatUS to be able to configure and make my AIS 800 operational as soon as I get the boat in March. However, because I will be cruising in international waters I will need to obtain the FCC Radio License and that the FCC Radio License application requires either the USCG Certificate of Documentation (COD) number or my state's Registration Number in order to obtain an MMSI from FCC, I'm going to have to be patient. My COD application will likely take several months to be accepted so will not have its number for some time. My state's Registration Number can be used but have to wait for that to be issued which should be soon hopefully. I've contacted the FCC Licensing Support Center at (877) 480-3201 to ask what is the difference in using the COD or the state's registration numbers when applying for the license. Is the COD a better choice, and if so why ? I was told it's best to use the COD number as there could be issues correlating the state's registration number with ALL the boat's information especially if using the radio in international waters.

Thus it seems I will need to wait for my COD approval before applying for my FCC Radio License in order to obtain the MMSI and then be able to configure my AIS 800 correctly. This means waiting a few months... 🙁

The FCC Radio License typical takes around 2-3 days to be issued.

 

[ixlr8]

I
Thus it seems I will need to wait for my COD approval before applying for my FCC Radio License in order to obtain the MMSI and then be able to configure my AIS 800 correctly. This means waiting a few months... 🙁

Barry,
You just need to wait for the COD number to be assigned to your boat, you don't need to wait for the full approval process to be completed. I applied for my COD as soon as I got my BOS, last April, I had the COD number about a month later. You can do a search on the Coast Guard Documentation site to find your COD number. Thanks to a paperwork screw up by my dealer, that I didn't catch before I sent in the paperwork... I still don't have my full COD approval, but I have my FCC license and my MMSI number.

 

[baz]

Jim: Thanks for that tip.... but I'm having trouble figuring how to search for my COD application to find the number... can you provide a link to get me started ?

 

[BaylorU]

Barry, I’m in the midst of the same process. Here is where you go to look up your documentation number:
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organizati ... News-Copy/

Once you click thru, just click “Work Packet Search” for your number. You’ll need your HIN.

Hope it helps!
Ken

 

[BaylorU]

I’m curious how many of you really have paid the tax....I mean fee....for the FCC license number if you’re just going basically right over the border.

I’m not interested in anyone’s lectures why I should just obey the laws and pay the $200 tax. I’m asking in practice if it actually matters. I don’t need someone to explain the technical “right” answer...I know what that is. 🙂

I’m also not saying I’ve decided to or not to get the FCC license. What I’m asking is if in reality it’s actually ever been an issue for anyone basically barely trekking outside US waters.

My boat lives in San Diego, and the furthest she’ll go for now is Ensenada, Mexico. Maybe I’ll drag her down to FL every now and then and go to the Bahamas, but that’s a big maybe. Especially in Ensenada, I cannot imagine they would care for a moment if my MMSI is the free BUS one or the FCC one. Curious what others’ experiences have been.

Thanks, y’all!
Ken

 

[Chimo]

I’m curious how many of you really have paid the tax....I mean fee....for the FCC license number if you’re just going basically right over the border.

I’m not interested in anyone’s lectures why I should just obey the laws and pay the $200 tax. I’m asking in practice if it actually matters. I don’t need someone to explain the technical “right” answer...I know what that is. 🙂

I’m also not saying I’ve decided to or not to get the FCC license. What I’m asking is if in reality it’s actually ever been an issue for anyone basically barely trekking outside US waters.

My boat lives in San Diego, and the furthest she’ll go for now is Ensenada, Mexico. Maybe I’ll drag her down to FL every now and then and go to the Bahamas, but that’s a big maybe. Especially in Ensenada, I cannot imagine they would care for a moment if my MMSI is the free BUS one or the FCC one. Curious what others’ experiences have been.

Thanks, y’all!
Ken

Others can correct me on this one (and I know they will!) and I don't know about Mexico.

If you are in Canadian waters and transmit an SOS by pressing the button on your radio it will broadcast your position and your MMSI number. Canadian authorities will look in the Canadian/FCC database for your vessel. I don't believe the free one is shared. Not an issue if you believe the odds on your never having an emergency in foreign waters outweighs the $200 fee. Isn't that fee good for 10 years in the USA?

 

[baz]

Ken:

My understanding about having the FCC Radio License for when in international waters is that if in an emergency you need help the fact you do have a Radio License should/will ensure the responding agency will be able to obtain precise information about your boat. Without having the Radio License it could be that the precise boat's information is not complete or is partially complete or is simply unavailable. This aspect could complicate things when receiving emergency help and also may involve a fine or something similar for operating the Radio unlawfully.

Personally, I've not ever heard or read of issues I mention here, but I'm one to ensure I'm covered when needing emergency help in international waters. If I needed emergency help when in international waters I do not want any legal or lack of paperwork to interfere with getting the help. Basically I want everything to be in my favor for ensuring I get help quickly and without any fuss.

The US FCC Radio License fee is but a very small fraction of the boat's investment. The current fee of $220 is good for 10 yrs and then has to be renewed again for whatever fee is needed at that time. If you cancel a Radio License before the 10 yrs has expired I believe you can get a prorated refund. Just send Email to [email=www.arinquiries@fcc.gov]www.arinquiries@fcc.gov[/email] requesting a refund and state the FRN in the Email. The refund will be processed and if approved you get the refund.

What Chimo posted about the Canadian authorities not having your boat's information if your VHF radio is programmed with a BoatUS MMSI is correct and has been confirmed to me by the USA FCC Communications Commission help desk. Regardless, I'm sure the Canadian authorities will still provide help (might be delayed as they have to take extra time to gain more of your boat's details) but it will be without knowing your boat's details etc.

 

[BaylorU]

Appreciate the feedback, and it’s basically what I expected.
I completely agree that $200 is nothing in the grand scheme. I couldn’t care less about the $200 (as much as I despise giving a nickel more to the government for anything...but I digress). I really was just more curious about the practical benefits, is all, if you’re basically just over the border. The emergency situation bit makes sense, though.
I’m pretty sure I’ll just get the license, and then at least it’s just done. It would stink to not get it, then need it later and end up having to send my radio away for reprogramming or something if I couldn’t use the existing MMSI.
Thanks everyone!
K

 

[scross]

We have the FCC issued station license since we are more in Canadian waters than in US waters. That said, if I had a USBoats issued MMSI and had a safety problem I’d still use both the boat’s VHF radio and my cellphone to call for help. And worry about any legal fine or issue later.
The only time I had a safety issue, being hit at night while at anchor by a drifting & unattended boat, I used my cellphone to contact the USCG.

 

[baz]

We have the FCC issued station license since we are more in Canadian waters than in US waters. That said, if I had a USBoats issued MMSI and had a safety problem I’d still use both the boat’s VHF radio and my cellphone to call for help. And worry about any legal fine or issue later.
The only time I had a safety issue, being hit at night while at anchor by a drifting & unattended boat, I used my cellphone to contact the USCG.

Interesting.... were you in Canadian waters at the time you were hit by the "drifting & unattended boat" ? If so calling the USCG seems inappropriate or did they transfer you to Canadian authorities ?

 

[scross]

Baz,
We were at Succia.
The boat that hit us had Canadian registration. We called the USCG to get advice and see if they could contact their Canadian counterparts to get the owners contact info so someone could let him/her know there was a problem.