[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 18226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10163]
[[Page 18225]]
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Part VI
Federal Communications Commission
_______________________________________________________________________
47 CFR Parts 80 and 87
Operation of Certain Domestic Ship and Aircraft Radio Stations Without
Individual Licenses; Final and Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 24, 1996 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 18226]]
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 80 and 87
[CC Docket No. 96-82, FCC 96-145]
Operation of Certain Domestic Ship and Aircraft Radio Stations
Without Individual Licenses
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Interim rule.
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SUMMARY: This interim rule amends the Federal Communications
Commission's (Commission) rules regarding ship and aircraft radio
stations, to remove the individual radio licensing requirement and to
authorize by rule the operation of radio equipment on recreational
vessels and aircraft. The rules are effective immediately pending a
proceeding to consider amending the Commission's rules. A Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking concerning these rules is published concurrently in
the Federal Register. The Commission finds that while receipt of public
comment is necessary to make a final determination of public interest
regarding the repeal of licensing rules for recreational vessels and
aircraft, it is not in the public interest to continue requiring such
applications to be filed pending consideration of the proposed rules.
The basis for this finding is that this interim rule will immediately
reduce the regulatory burdens on the public and the Commission, and
avoid the need to return thousands of applications and regulatory fees
if the proposals in this proceeding are ultimately adopted. The interim
rule does not make licensees eligible for a partial refund of user
fees. However, if the interim rules are adopted as final, such
licensees may at that time be eligible for a partial refund of user
fees pursuant to 47 CFR 1.1159. The Commission further believes that
the interim rules are necessary to avoid confusion and regulatory
uncertainty in the marine and aviation communities. Moreover, the
Commission does not believe that any party will be harmed by
implementation of the interim rules, pending completion of the
rulemaking proceeding.
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 12, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Magnotti, Private Wireless
Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, (202) 418-0871, or at
smagnott@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As required by the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, it is hereby certified that this rule will not have a significant
impact on small business entities.
List of Subjects
47 CFR Part 80
Radio, Vessels.
47 CFR Part 87
Radio.
Parts 80 and 87 of Chapter I of Title 47 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, Parts 80 and 87, are amended as follows:
PART 80--STATIONS IN THE MARITIME SERVICES
1. The authority citation for Part 80 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Secs. 4, 303, 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47
U.S.C. 154, 303, unless otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat.
1064-1068, 1081-1105, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609; 3 UST
3450, 3 UST 4726, 12 UST 2377.
2. Section 80.13 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 80.13 Station license required.
(a) Except for those excluded in paragraph (c) of this section,
stations in the maritime service must be licensed by the FCC either
individually or by fleet.
(b) One ship station license will be granted for operation of all
maritime services transmitting equipment on board a vessel.
(c) A ship station is licensed by rule and does not need an
individual license issued by the FCC if the ship station is not subject
to the radio equipment carriage requirements of the Communications Act
or any other treaty or agreement to which the United States is
signatory, the ship station does not travel to foreign ports, and the
ship station does not make international communications. A ship station
licensed by rule is authorized to transmit radio signals using a marine
radio operating in the 156-162 MHz band, any type of EPIRB, and any
type of radar installation. All other transmissions must be authorized
under a ship station license. Even though an individual license is not
required, a ship station licensed by rule must be operated in
accordance with all applicable operating requirements, procedures, and
technical specifications found in this Part 80.
PART 87--AVIATION SERVICES
1 . The authority citation for Part 87 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 48 Stat. 1066, 1082, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 154, 303,
unless otherwise noted. Interpret or apply 48 Stat. 1064-1068, 1081-
1105, as amended; 47 U.S.C. 151-156, 301-609.
2. A new Sec. 87.18 is added to read as follows:
Sec. 87.18 Station license required.
(a) Except for those excluded in paragraph (b) of this section,
stations in the aviation service must be licensed by the FCC either
individually or by fleet.
(b) An aircraft station is licensed by rule and does not need an
individual license issued by the FCC if the aircraft station is not
subject to the radio equipment carriage requirements of any statute,
treaty, or agreement to which the United States is signatory, the
aircraft station is on board a private aircraft, and the aircraft
station does not make international flights or communications. Even
though an individual license is not required, an aircraft station
licensed by rule must be operated in accordance with all applicable
operating requirements, procedures, and technical specifications found
in this Part 87.
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-10163 Filed 4-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
