Bruce,

We both made errors in interpreting the law here, as described on the FCC
website and the CFR. to wit:

"Bruce Gordon" wrote
"Jack Painter" wrote:

Here you go mixing up licenses again, forgetting the title and topic of
this newsgroup is RECREATIONAL boating. Only a Restricted Operators
permit is required for a recreational boater who wants to visit a
foreign port. His boat can remain "covered by the rule" which means no
station license for VHF-only, and the ROP covers his carriage of the
radio, whether he uses it OR NOT, in a foreign port.

(I was wrong, the Station license is indeed also required)

Jackie, you need a bit of a refresher in your International Radio Law,
son..
If a US Flagged vessel is fitted with a VHF radio, and Licensed under
the Blanket License Rule, and leaves US Waters and enters a foreign
port, it is as if he had NO Authorization for the fitted Radio. Said
radio would not be covered under International Law to transmit under any
circiumstance, baring a Distress Transmission.

(You were wrong, according to the rules, voluntary equipped or not, vessels
with radios may not enter or dock foreign port w/o RO & SL.)
---------------------------

That's called being "covered by the rule" and does not permit a vessel
to dock in a foreign port

This has absolutly nothing to do with "dock in a foreign port" in anyway.
A US Flagged vessel may certainly "dock in a foreign port" with a fitted
VHF Radio that would be Licensed in US waters under the Blanket License
Rule, the Operator just could not legally make any Transmissions from
inside the waters of another country, or communicate with any station,
once he entered the waters of another country.


(You were wrong, the rules clearly describe "dock in foreign port" and
"enter foreign port" as the requirement for a RO in addition to SL. Only
"sailing in international waters and not comunicating with a foreign
station" are exempt.)

Shown he http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/fctsht14.html#SEC2

WHO NEEDS A SHIP STATION LICENSE?

You do not need a license to operate a marine VHF radio, radar, or EPIRBs
aboard voluntary ships operating domestically. The terms "voluntary" and
"domestic" are defined below.

WHAT IS DOMESTIC OPERATION?

Ships are considered as operating domestically when they do not travel to
foreign ports or do not transmit radio communications to foreign stations.
Sailing in international waters is permitted, so long as the previous
conditions are met. If you travel to a foreign port (e.g., Canada, Mexico,
Bahamas, British Virgin Islands) a license is required. Additionally, if you
travel to a foreign port, you are required to have an operator permit as
described in Section III.

DO I NEED A RESTRICTED RADIOTELEPHONE OPERATOR PERMIT?

If you plan to dock in a foreign port (e.g., Canada or the Bahamas) or if
you communicate with foreign coast or ship stations, you must have a
RESTRICTED RADIOTELEPHONE OPERATOR PERMIT (sometimes referred to by boaters
as an "individual license") in addition to your ship radio station license.
Section IV outlines the procedure for obtaining a permit. However, if (1)
you merely plan to sail in domestic or international waters without docking
in any foreign ports and without communicating with foreign coast stations,
and (2) your radio operates only on VHF frequencies, you do not need an
operator permit.

** note the multiple references to
"travel to foreign port", and
"dock in foreign port".

And the form-605 instructions insists that all fields under "ship" be
completed, with no written exemption (or "N/A") for the vessel
name/documentation if application for an RO only. While that may be allowed
from your experience, the form does not leave that option to the applicant.

I would be happy to have your help when I need an FCC license.

Jack