FCC Licenses
General Radio Telephone Operators License with Ship Radar Endorsement Fact Sheet
Description
Required to adjust, maintain, or internally repair FCC licensed radiotelephone transmitters in the aviation, maritime, and international fixed public radio services. It conveys all of the operating authority of the MP. It is also required to operate the following:
Any compulsorily equipped ship radiotelephone station operating with more than 1500 watts of peak envelope power.
Voluntarily equipped ship and aeronautical (including aircraft) stations with more than 1000 watts of peak envelope power.
Only persons whose commercial radio operator license bears Ship Radar Endorsement may repair, maintain, or internally adjust radar equipment.
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System Maintainers/Operators License
Description
An internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment, and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft.
GMDSS consists of several systems, some of which are new, but many of which have been in operation for many years. The system is intended to perform the following functions: alerting (including position determination of the unit in distress), search and rescue coordination, locating (homing), maritime safety information broadcasts, general communications, and bridge-to-bridge communications. Specific radio carriage requirements depend upon the ship's area of operation, rather than its tonnage. The system also provides redundant means of distress alerting, and emergency sources of power.
Recreational vessels do not need to comply with GMDSS radio carriage requirements, but will increasingly use the Digital Selective Calling VHF radios. Offshore vessels may elect to equip themselves further. Vessels under 300 Gross tonnage are not subject to GMDSS requirements.
Ship Radar Endorsement
Description
Specialized Theory and practice applicable to the proper installation, servicing and maintenance or Radar Equipment and other signal based components.
GMDSS Maintainers License
Description
GMDSS Radio Maintainers License qualifies personnel as GMDSS radio equipment and systems maintenance and troubleshooting.
Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator's License
Description
Qualifies the holder to operate, and make some basic equipment adjustments to, GMDSS radio installations, but only on voyages that remain within twenty nautical miles of shore. It also confers the operating authority of the MP.