Sec. 80.159  Operator requirements of Title III of the Communications 
          Act and the Safety Convention.

    (a) Each telegraphy passenger ship equipped with a radiotelegraph 
station in accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications 
Act must carry one radio officer holding a first or second class 
radiotelegraph operator's certificate and a second radio officer holding 
either a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate. 
The holder of a second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate may 
not act as the chief radio officer.
    (b) Each cargo ship equipped with a radiotelegraph station in 
accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act and which 
has a radiotelegraph auto alarm must carry a radio officer holding a 
first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate who has had 
at least six months service as a radio officer on board U.S. ships. If 
the radiotelegraph station does not have an auto alarm, a second radio 
officer who holds a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's 
certificate must be carried.
    (c) Each cargo ship equipped with a radiotelephone station in 
accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must 
carry a radio operator who meets the following requirements:
    (1) Where the station power does not exceed 1500 watts peak envelope 
power, the operator must hold a marine radio operator permit or higher 
class license.
    (2) Where the station power exceeds 1500 watts peak envelope power, 
the operator must hold a general radiotelephone radio operator license 
or higher class license.
    (d) Each ship transporting more than six passengers for hire 
equipped with a radiotelephone station in accordance with Part III of 
Title III of the Communications Act must carry a radio operator who 
meets the following requirements:
    (1) Where the station power does not exceed 250 watts carrier power 
or 1500 watts peak envelope power, the radio operator must hold a marine 
radio operator permit or higher class license.
    (2) Where the station power exceeds 250 watts carrier power or 1500 
watts peak envelope power, the radio operator must hold a general 
radiotelephone operator license or higher class license.
[ 51 FR 31213 , Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at  54 FR 40058 , Sept. 29, 1989]