§ 80.5   Definitions.

   Alaska—public fixed station. A fixed station in Alaska which is open to
   public  correspondence  and  is  licensed  by the Commission for radio
   communication with Alaska-Private fixed stations on paired channels.

   Alaska—private fixed station. A fixed station in Alaska which is licensed by
   the Commission for radio communication within Alaska and with associated
   ship stations, on single frequency channels. Alaska-private fixed stations
   are also eligible to communicate with Alaska-public fixed stations on paired
   channels.

   Associated ship unit. A portable VHF transmitter for use in the vicinity of
   the ship station with which it is associated.

   Automated maritime telecommunications system (AMTS). An automatic maritime
   communications system.

   Automated mutual-assistance vessel rescue system (AMVER). An international
   system,  operated  by  the U.S. Coast Guard, which provides aid to the
   development and coordination of search and rescue (SAR) efforts. Data is
   made available to recognized SAR agencies or vessels of any nation for
   reasons related to marine safety.

   Automatic  Identification  Systems (AIS). A maritime navigation safety
   communications system standardized by the International Telecommunication
   Union (ITU) and adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
   that provides vessel information, including the vessel's identity, type,
   position,  course, speed, navigational status and other safety-related
   information automatically to appropriately equipped shore stations, other
   ships, and aircraft; receives automatically such information from similarly
   fitted ships; monitors and tracks ships; and exchanges data with shore-based
   facilities.

   Bridge-to-bridge station. A radio station located on a ship's navigational
   bridge or main control station operating on a specified frequency which is
   used only for navigational communications, in the 156-162 MHz band.

   Cargo ship safety radio certificate. A certificate issued after a ship
   passes an inspection of the required radiotelegraph, radiotelephone or GMDSS
   radio installation. Issuance of this certificate indicates that the vessel
   complies with the Communications Act and the Safety Convention.

   Cargo ship safety radiotelegraphy certificate. A certificate issued after a
   ship passes an inspection of a radiotelegraph installation. Issuance of this
   certificate indicates that the vessel complies with the Communications Act
   and the Safety Convention.

   Cargo ship safety radiotelephony certificate. A certificate issued after a
   ship passes an inspection of a radiotelephone installation. Issuance of this
   certificate indicates that the vessel complies with the Communications Act
   and the Safety Convention.

   Categories of ships. (1) When referenced in Part II of Title III of the
   Communications Act or the radio provisions of the Safety Convention, a ship
   is a passenger ship if it carries or is licensed or certificated to carry
   more than twelve passengers. A cargo ship is any ship not a passenger ship.

   (2) A commercial transport vessel is any ship which is used primarily in
   commerce (i) for transporting persons or goods to or from any harbor(s) or
   port(s)  or  between  places  within a harbor or port area, or (ii) in
   connection  with  the construction, change in construction, servicing,
   maintenance, repair, loading, unloading, movement, piloting, or salvaging of
   any other ship or vessel.

   (3) The term passenger carrying vessel, when used in reference to Part III,
   Title III of the Communications Act of the Great Lakes Radio Agreement,
   means any ship transporting more than six passengers for hire.

   (4) Power-driven vessel. Any ship propelled by machinery.

   (5)  Towing vessel. Any commercial ship engaged in towing another ship
   astern, alongside or by pushing ahead.

   (6)  Compulsory  ship.  Any ship which is required to be equipped with
   radiotelecommunication  equipment in order to comply with the radio or
   radio-navigation provisions of a treaty or statute to which the vessel is
   subject.

   (7) Voluntary ship. Any ship which is not required by treaty or statute to
   be equipped with radiotelecommunication equipment.

   Coast station. A land station in the maritime mobile service.

   Commercial communications. Communications between coast stations and ship
   stations aboard commercial transport vessels, or between ship stations
   aboard commercial transport vessels, which relate directly to the purposes
   for which the ship is used including the piloting of vessels, movements of
   vessels, obtaining vessel supplies, and scheduling of repairs.

   Day. (1) Where the word day is applied to the use of a specific frequency
   assignment or to a specific authorized transmitter power, its use means
   transmission on the frequency assignment or with the authorized transmitter
   power during that period of time included between one hour after local
   sunrise and one hour before local sunset.

   (2) Where the word day occurs in reference to watch requirements, or to
   equipment  testing,  its  use means the calendar day, from midnight to
   midnight, local time.

   Digital selective calling (DSC). A synchronous system developed by the
   International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication (ITU-R) Sector,
   used to establish contact with a station or group of stations automatically
   by means of radio. The operational and technical characteristics of this
   system are contained in ITU-R M.493-13 and ITU-R M.541-9 (both incorporated
   by reference, see § 80.7) (see subpart W of this part.)

   Direction finder (radio compass). Apparatus capable of receiving radio
   signals and taking bearings on these signals from which the true bearing and
   direction of the point of origin may be determined.

   Distress signal. The distress signal is a digital selective call using an
   internationally  recognized distress call format in the bands used for
   terrestrial communication or an internationally recognized distress message
   format, in which case it is relayed through space stations, which indicates
   that a person, ship, aircraft, or other vehicle is threatened by grave and
   imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.

   (1) In radiotelephony, the international distress signal consists of the
   enunciation  of the word “Mayday”, pronounced as the French expression
   “m'aider”. In case of distress, transmission of this particular signal is
   intended to ensure recognition of a radiotelephone distress call by stations
   of any nationality.

   (2)  For  GMDSS, distress alerts result in an audible alarm and visual
   indication that a ship or person is threatened by grave and imminent danger
   and  requests  immediate  assistance.  These automatic systems contain
   sufficient information in the distress alert message to identify the vessel,
   prepare to assist and begin a search. However, except when transmitted via
   satellite EPIRB, the distress alert is just the initial call for help.
   Communication  between the vessel or person in distress and the Rescue
   Coordination Center (RCC) or ship assisting should always follow.

   Distress traffic. Distress traffic consists of all messages relating to the
   immediate assistance required by a person, ship, aircraft, or other vehicle
   in  distress,  including search and rescue communications and on-scene
   communications.

   Emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) station. A station in the
   maritime mobile service the emissions of which are intended to facilitate
   search and rescue operations.

   Environmental  communications.  Broadcasts  of  information  about the
   environmental  conditions in which vessels operate, i.e., weather, sea
   conditions, time signals adequate for practical navigation, notices to
   mariners, and hazards to navigation.

   Fleet radio station license. An authorization issued by the Commission for
   two or more ships having a common owner or operator.

   Global  maritime  distress and safety system (GMDSS). An International
   Maritime Organization (IMO) worldwide coordinated maritime distress system
   designed to provide the rapid transfer of distress messages from vessels in
   distress to units best suited for giving or coordinating assistance. The
   system includes standardized equipment and operational procedures, unique
   identifers for each station, and the integrated use of frequency bands and
   radio systems to ensure the transmission and reception of distress and
   safety calls and messages at short, medium and long ranges.

   Great Lakes. This term, used in this part in reference to the Great Lakes
   Radio Agreement, means all of Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron (including Georgian
   Bay), Michigan, Superior, their connecting and tributary waters and the St.
   Lawrence River as far east as the lower exit of the St. Lambert Lock as
   Montreal  in  the Province of Quebec, Canada, but does not include any
   connecting and tributary waters other than: the St. Marys River, the St.
   Clair River, Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River and the Welland Canal.

   Harbor or port. Any place to which ships may resort for shelter, or to load
   or unload passengers or goods, or to obtain fuel, water, or supplies. This
   term applies to such places whether proclaimed public or not and whether
   natural or artifical.

   Inland waters. This term, as used in reference to waters of the United
   States, its territories and possessions, means waters that lie landward of
   the boundary lines of inland waters as contained in 33 CFR 80.01, as well as
   waters within its land territory, such as rivers and lakes, over which the
   United States exercises sovereignty.

   INMARSAT. INMARSAT Ltd. is a private commercial company licensed in the
   United Kingdom.

   Marine utility station. A station in the maritime mobile service consisting
   of  one  or more handheld radiotelephone units licensed under a single
   authorization. Each unit is capable of operation while being hand-carried by
   an individual. The station operates under the rules applicable to ship
   stations when the unit is aboard a vessel, and under the rules applicable to
   private coast stations when the unit is on land.

   Maritime control communications. Communications between private coast and
   ship  stations  or  between ship stations licensed to a state or local
   governmental  entity,  which relate directly to the control of boating
   activities or assistance to ships.

   Maritime  mobile  repeater station. A land station at a fixed location
   established for the automatic retransmission of signals to extend the range
   of communication of ship and coast stations.

   Maritime mobile-satellite service. A mobile-satellite service in which
   mobile earth stations are located on board ships. Survival craft stations
   and EPIRB stations may also participate in this service.

   Maritime mobile service. A mobile service between coast stations and ship
   stations,  or  between  ship  stations, or between associated on-board
   communication stations. Survival craft stations and EPIRB stations also
   participate in this service.

   Maritime mobile service identities (MMSI). An international system for the
   identification of radio stations in the maritime mobile service. The system
   is comprised of a series of nine digits which are transmitted over the radio
   path  to  uniquely  identify ship stations, ship earth stations, coast
   stations, coast earth stations and groups of stations.

   Maritime radiodetermination service. A maritime radiocommunication service
   for determining the position, velocity, and/or other characteristics of an
   object, or the obtaining of information relating to these parameters, by the
   propagation properties of radio waves.

   Maritime support station. A station on land used in support of the maritime
   services to train personnel and to demonstrate, test and maintain equipment.

   Navigable waters. This term, as used in reference to waters of the United
   States, its territories and possessions, means the waters shoreward of the
   baseline of its territorial sea and internal waters as contained in 33 CFR
   2.36.

   Navigational  communications.  Safety communications pertaining to the
   maneuvering  of  vessels  or  the  directing of vessel movements. Such
   communications are primarily for the exchange of information between ship
   stations and secondarily between ship stations and coast stations.

   Noncommercial communications. Communication between coast stations and ship
   stations other than commercial transport ships, or between ship stations
   aboard other than commercial transport ships which pertain to the needs of
   the ship.

   Non-selectable transponder. A transponder whose coded response is displayed
   on any conventional radar operating in the appropriate band.

   On-board communication station. A low-powered mobile station in the maritime
   mobile service intended for use for internal communications on board a ship,
   or between a ship and its lifeboats and life-rafts during lifeboat drills or
   operations, or for communication within a group of vessels being towed or
   pushed, as well as for line handling and mooring instructions.

   On-board  repeater.  A  radio  station that receives and automatically
   retransmits signals between on-board communication stations.

   Open sea. The water area of the open coast seaward of the ordinary low-water
   mark, or seaward of inland waters.

   Operational  fixed  station.  A  fixed  station,  not  open  to public
   correspondence,   operated   by   entities   that  provide  their  own
   radiocommunication  facilities in the private land mobile, maritime or
   aviation services.

   Passenger ship safety certificate. A certificate issued by the Commandant of
   the Coast Guard after inspection of a passenger ship which complies with the
   requirements of the Safety Convention.

   Pilot. Pilot means a Federal pilot required by 46 U.S.C. 764, a state pilot
   required  under  the authority of 46 U.S.C. 211, or a registered pilot
   required by 46 U.S.C. 216.

   Port operations communications. Communications in or near a port, in locks
   or in waterways between coast stations and ship stations or between ship
   stations, which relate to the operational handling, movement and safety of
   ships and in emergency to the safety of persons.

   Portable ship station. A ship station which includes a single transmitter
   intended for use upon two or more ships.

   Private coast station. A coast station, not open to public correspondence,
   which serves the operational, maritime control and business needs of ships.

   Public coast station. A coast station that offers radio communication common
   carrier services to ship radio stations.

   Public correspondence. Any telecommunication which the offices and stations
   must, by reason of their being at the disposal of the public, accept for
   transmission.

   Radar beacon (RACON). A receiver-transmitter which, when triggered by a
   radar, automatically returns a distinctive signal which can appear on the
   display of the triggering radar, providing range, bearing and identification
   information.

   Radioprinter  operations. Communications by means of a direct printing
   radiotelegraphy  system  using any alphanumeric code, within specified
   bandwidth limitations, which is authorized for use between private coast
   stations and their associated ship stations on vessels of less than 1600
   gross tons.

   Safety communication. The transmission or reception of distress, alarm,
   urgency, or safety signals, or any communication preceded by one of these
   signals, or any form of radiocommunication which, if delayed in transmission
   or reception, may adversely affect the safety of life or property.

   Safety signal. (1) The safety signal is the international radiotelegraph or
   radiotelephone signal which indicates that the station sending this signal
   is preparing to transmit a message concerning the safety of navigation or
   giving important meteorological warnings.

   (2) In radiotelegraphy, the international safety signals consists of three
   repetitions of the group “TTT,” sent before the call, with the letters of
   each group and the successive groups clearly separated from each other.

   (3) In radiotelephony, the international safety signal consists of three
   oral repetitions of “Security,” pronounced as the French word “Securite,”
   sent before the call.

   (4) For GMDSS, safety calls result in an audible alarm and visual indication
   that the station sending this signal has a very urgent message to transmit
   concerning the safety of navigation or giving important meteorological
   warnings.

   Selectable tfransponder. A transponder whose coded response may be inhibited
   or displayed on a radar on demand by the operator of that radar.

   Selective calling. A means of calling in which signals are transmitted in
   accordance  with  a prearranged code to operate a particular automatic
   attention device at the station whose attention is sought.

   Ship earth station. A mobile earth station in the maritime mobile-satellite
   service located on board ship.

   Ship or vessel. Ship or vessel includes every description of watercraft or
   other artificial contrivance, except aircraft, capable of being used as a
   means of transportation on water whether or not it is actually afloat.

   Ship radio station license. An authorization issued by the Commission to
   operate a radio station onboard a vessel.

   Ship  station. A mobile station in the maritime mobile service located
   on-board a vessel which is not permanently moored, other than a survival
   craft station.

   Station. One or more transmitters or a combination of transmitters and
   receivers, including the accessory equipment, necessary at one location for
   carrying on radiocommunication services.

   Survival craft station. A mobile station in the maritime or aeronautical
   mobile service intended solely for survival purposes and located on any
   lifeboat, liferaft or other survival equipment.

   Underway. A vessel is underway when it is not at anchor, made fast to the
   shore, or aground.

   Urgency signal. (1) The urgency signal is the international radiotelegraph
   or radiotelephone signal which indicates that the calling station has a very
   urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft, or
   other vehicle, or of some person on board or within sight.

   (2) In radiotelegraphy, the international urgency signal consists of three
   repetitions of the group “XXX,” sent before the call, with the letters of
   each group and the successive groups clearly separated from each other.

   (3) In radiotelephony, the international urgency signal consists of three
   oral repetitions of the group of words “PAN PAN”, each word of the group
   pronounced as the French word “PANNE” and sent before the call.

   (4)  For  GMDSS,  urgency  calls result in an audible alarm and visual
   indication that the station sending this signal has a very urgent message to
   transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, or of
   some person on board or within sight.

   Vessel traffic service (VTS). A U.S. Coast Guard traffic control service for
   ships  in designated water areas to prevent collisions, groundings and
   environmental harm.

   Watch. The act of listening on a designated frequency.

   [ 51 FR 31213 , Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at  52 FR 7417 , Mar. 11, 1987;  52 FR 35244 , Sept. 18, 1987;  56 FR 3783 , Jan. 31, 1991;  57 FR 26778 , June 16,
   1992;  58 FR 16504 , Mar. 29, 1993;  60 FR 35510 , July 10, 1995;  63 FR 29658 ,
   June 1, 1998;  68 FR 46959 , Aug. 7, 2003;  71 FR 60074 , Oct. 12, 2006;  72 FR 31194 , June 6, 2007;  73 FR 4480 , Jan. 25, 2008;  76 FR 67607 , Nov. 2, 2011]

   return arrow Back to Top