Sec. 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

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the ship station with which it is associated.
    Automated maritime telecommunications system (AMTS). An automatic, 
integrated and interconnected 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.
    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 radiotelegraphy certificate. A certificate issued 
after an inspection of a cargo ship radiotelegraph station which 
complies with the applicable Safety Convention radio requirements.
    Cargo ship safety radiotelephony certificate. A certificate issued 
after inspection of a cargo ship radiotelephone station which complies 
with the applicable Safety Convention radio requirements.
    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 Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR), 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 CCIR Recommendation 493.
    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.

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    Distress signal. The distress signal is an internationally 
recognized radiotelegraph or radiotelephone transmission which indicates 
that a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle is threatened by grave and 
imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.
    (1) In radiotelegraphy, the international distress signal consists 
of the group ``three dots, three dashes, three dots'', transmitted as a 
single signal in which the dashes are emphasized so as to be 
distinguished clearly from the dots.
    (2) 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.
    Distress traffic. All messages relative to the immediate assistance 
required by a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle in distress.
    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 
part 82, as well as waters within its land territory, such as rivers and 
lakes, over which the United States exercises sovereignty.
    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

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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. 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 2.05-25.
    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 liferafts 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

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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.
    Selectable transponder. 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.
    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]

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                  Subpart B--Applications and Licenses