[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 131 (Monday, July 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16728]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 11, 1994]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 80 and 87
[PR Docket No. 93-143; FCC 94-170]
Registration of 406 MHz Radiobeacons in the Marine Services and
Aviation Services
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Commission will require registration of 406.025 MHz
radiobeacons with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
of the United States Department of Commerce (NOAA). This action is in
response to a request from the United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard).
The registration of 406.025 MHz radiobeacons aid search and rescue
personnel.
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 13, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
James Shaffer, (202) 632-7197, Private Radio Bureau.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Report
and Order FCC 94-170, adopted June 13, 1994, and released July 6. The
full text of this Report and Order is available for inspection and
copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Room
230, 1919 M Street NW., Washington, DC. The complete text may be
purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International
Transcription Service, Inc., 2100 M Street, Suite 140, Washington, DC
20037, telephone (202) 857-3800.
Summary of Report and Order
1. The United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard) filed a petition
(RM-8008), Public Notice No. 1894, requesting that the Commission amend
Part 80 of the Rules, 47 CFR Part 80, to require registration of
emergency position indicating radiobeacons (EPIRBs) operating on the
frequency 406.025 MHz with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA). Additionally, in the Report and Order in PR
Docket No. 92-125 (58 FR 30126, 5/26/93), the Commission stated that it
would address separately the issue of mandatory registration of
emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) operating on the frequency
406.025 MHz in the Aviation Services.
2. Beacon registration is essential to realize the full benefit of
the 406 MHz satellite system. The Air Force, Coast Guard, NOAA and
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) agree that having
access to registration information along with the improved location
accuracy of the 406 MHz system can result in a reduction of the time
needed to complete a SAR operation. NOAA and NASA estimate that
registration will save on average 6 hours per mission. Further, NOAA
states that its experience with voluntary registration of 406 EPIRBs
shows that when 406 EPIRBs are registered in its database the Coast
Guard has been able to avoid unnecessarily using SAR resources by
screening false distress signals through telephone calls to registered
owners. Typical mission costs of launching a single helicopter to
locate and investigate a distress signal are approximately $4,000. The
potential savings to the Federal government and SAR forces are
substantial with no additional cost or burden to manufacturers and
little burden to beacon users. The beacon user would be required to
mail to NOAA the pre-paid, pre-addressed post card that the
manufacturers currently provide requesting registration information. In
view of the strong support, and because beacon registration can provide
valuable distress information to SAR personnel concerning the type and
size of the aircraft/vessel as well as prevent launching potentially
dangerous missions on false distress signals, we will require that 406
MHz ELTs and 406 MHz EPIRBs be registered in NOAA's database.
3. We certify that the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 does not
apply to this rule making proceeding because if the proposed rule
amendments are promulgated, there will not be a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small business entities, as defined
by Section 601(3) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The change
proposed herein will have a beneficial effect on the marine and
aviation community by enhancing information available to SAR personnel
for use in distress situations and will not have a significant economic
impact on any entity. The Secretary shall send a copy of this Notice of
Proposed Rule Making, including the certification, to the Chief Counsel
for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration in accordance with
paragraph 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Pub. L. No. 96-354,
94 Stat. 1164, 5 U.S.C. 601-612 (1980).
List of Subjects
47 CFR Part 80
Communications equipment, Marine safety.
47 CFR Part 87
Communications equipment, Aviation safety.
Federal Communications Commission.
LaVera F. Marshall,
Acting Secretary.
Final Rule
Parts 80 and 87 of Chapter I of Title 47 of the Code of Federal
Regulations 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 80.215(d) is amended by revising the second sentence in
Note 3 to read as follows:
Sec. 80.215 Transmitter power.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(1) * * *
Note 3 * * * For cable repair ships operating on radiodetermination
frequencies, 15 watts; see Sec. 80.375(b).
* * * * *
3. Section 80.1061 is amended by revising the last two sentences of
paragraph (e) and revising paragraph (f) to read as follows:
Sec. 80.1061 Special requirements for 406.025 MHz EPIRBs.
* * * * *
(e) * * * With each marketable EPIRB unit the manufacturer or
grantee must include a postage pre-paid registration card printed with
the EPIRB identification code addressed to: NOAA/NESDIS, SARSAT
Operations Division, E/SP3, Federal Building 4, Washington, DC 20233.
The registration card must request the owner's name, address, telephone
number, type of ship, alternate emergency contact and include the
following statement: ``WARNING--failure to register this EPIRB with
NOAA before installation could result in a monetary forfeiture being
issued to the owner.''
(f) To enhance protection of life and property it is mandatory that
each 406.025 MHz EPIRB be registered with NOAA before installation and
that information be kept up-to-date. Therefore, in addition to the
identification plate or label requirements contained in Secs. 2.925,
2.926 and 2.1003 of this Chapter, each 406.025 MHz EPIRB must be
provided on the outside with a clearly discernable permanent plate or
label containing the following statement: ``The owner of this 406.025
MHz EPIRB must register the NOAA identification code contained on this
label with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
whose address is: NOAA, NOAA/SARSAT Operations Division, E/SP3, Federal
Building 4, Washington, D.C. 20233.'' Vessel owners shall advise NOAA
in writing upon change of vessel or EPIRB ownership, transfer of EPIRB
to another vessel, or any other change in registration information.
NOAA will provide registrants with proof of registration and change of
registration postcards.
* * * * *
PART 87--AVIATION SERVICES
4. 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.
5. Section 87.138 is amended by revising paragraph (d) to read as
follows:
Sec. 87.138 Emission limitations.
* * * * *
(d) Except for telemetry in the 1435-1535 MHz band, when the
frequency is removed from the assigned frequency by more than 250
percent of the authorized bandwidth for aircraft stations above 30 MHz
and all ground stations the attenuation must be at least 43+10
log10 pY dB.
* * * * *
6. In Section 87.199 paragraphs (e) and (f) are revised to read as
follows:
Sec. 87.199 Special requirements for 406.025 MHz ELTs.
* * * * *
(e) An identification code, issued by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States Program Manager
for the 406.025 MHz COSPAS/SARSAT satellite system, must be programmed
in each ELT unit to establish a unique identification for each ELT
station. With each marketable ELT unit the manufacturer or grantee must
include a postage pre-paid registration card printed with the ELT
identification code addressed to: NOAA/NESDIS, SARSAT Operations
Division, E/SP3, Federal Building 4, Washington, DC 20233. The
registration card must request the owner's name, address, telephone
number, type of aircraft, alternate emergency contact and include the
following statement: ``WARNING--failure to register this ELT with NOAA
before installation could result in a monetary forfeiture being issued
to the owner.''
(f) To enhance protection of life and property it is mandatory that
each 406.025 MHz ELT must be registered with NOAA before installation
and that information be kept up-to-date. In addition to the
identification plate or label requirements contained in Secs. 2.925,
2.926 and 2.1003 of this Chapter, each 406.025 MHz ELT must be provided
on the outside with a clearly discernable permanent plate or label
containing the following statement: ``The owner of this 406.025 MHz ELT
must register the NOAA identification code contained on this label with
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) whose
address is: NOAA, NOAA/SARSAT Operations Division, E/SP3, Federal
Building 4, Washington, D.C. 20233.'' Aircraft owners shall advise NOAA
in writing upon change of aircraft or ELT ownership, or any other
change in registration information. Fleet operators must notify NOAA
upon transfer of ELT to another aircraft outside of the owners control,
or an other change in registration information. NOAA will provide
registrants with proof of registration and change of registration
postcards.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 94-16728 Filed 7-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-M
