Marine Radio Operator Licenses

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Do I Need a Radio Operator’s Permit?

The laws governing whether a license or permit is required to operate a marine radio station are no more complex than those governing marine radio station licensing.

The FCC regulates who is required to hold a radio operator’s license and what type of license is required.

The first step in determining whether you require a license or permit to operate a marine radio station, is to again determine whether or not your vessel is compulsory or voluntarily equipped.

The simple answer is if your vessel is compulsory equipped with a radio station then you are required to have a seperate operator's license to operate the radios. If you are voluntarily equipped then a radio operator's license may or may not be required.

Here is another table to illustrate who is required by law have a radio operator’s permit:

Marine Radio Operator’s License
At any point in this table you answer YES, you are required to have some form of license to operate a marine radio station.
Is your vessel any one of the following:
  1. Certain vessels that sail the Great Lakes (generally considered to be commercial vessels);
  2. Vessels more than 300 gross tons navigating in the open sea;
  3. 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.?
If You Answered YES to any of the above -   If You Answered NO to all of the above -
 
You are required to have a Marine Radio Operator Permit.   No radio operator’s license is required.
-END-  
    Is your vessel sailing foreign or communicating with foreign radio stations?
    -OR-
    You use MF/HF single sideband radio or sat comm.
   
    If you answered YES to either statement above -
   
    You are required to have a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit.
    -END-