Re: [Paddlewise] Re : Ch 16 and DSC - Illegal made Legal

Dave,
    I believe you are correct that  "the pair of licenses demanded of US 
boaters traveling in foreign waters follows US limits"

As I had previously referenced in this thread (back in November), the 
FCC indicates that, for US paddlers in Canadian Waters  (source:  
http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/fctsht14.html  ) :

"You do not need a license to operate a marine VHF radio, radar, or 
EPIRBs aboard voluntary ships operating **domestically**. 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 "   "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.** 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: A ship radio station **license** authorizes radio equipment aboard 
a ship, while the restricted radiotelephone **operator permit** 
authorizes a specific person to communicate with foreign stations or use 
certain radio equipment (e.g., MF/HF single sideband radio or satellite 
radio). 
=======================
While there is some difference in terminology between US and Canadian 
regulations, there is a great deal of "symmetry" between the two.  In 
both countries, there is a 'certificate' available to the OPERATOR of 
the radio equipment ("Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit" in the 
US, and the "Restricted Operator's Certificate (Maritime) - with or 
without DSC endorsement - in Canada),  and a 'license' available for the 
BOAT (the "Ship Radio Station License" in the US, and the "Maritime 
Mobile Radio Station Licence for a Voluntarily Fitted Ship" in Canada).  
Because we, as paddlers,  feel so much "at one" with our craft, we have 
a very fuzzy notion about the license - we think of the "paddler" as 
being licensed, when in reality it is the vessel that is licensed. 

========================
Canadian requirements (source Industry Canada  
<http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/smt-gst.nsf/en/h_sf01775e.html> )

Do I need a licence for the marine radio equipment on board my vessel?

           You will NOT require a licence if you meet both of the 
following criteria:
                  -  the vessel is not operated in the sovereign waters 
of a country other than Canada.
                  - the radio equipment on board the vessel is only 
capable of operating on frequencies that are allocated for maritime 
mobile communications or marine radio navigation. 

If you do not meet both of the above criteria, you will require a radio 
licence.

Do I still require a Radio Operator Certificate?

           Yes. The Radio Operator Certificate is still a requirement 
for anyone who may be operating the maritime radio equipment, regardless 
of whether a radio  licence is required.

================================



Dave Kruger wrote:

> Michael Daly wrote:
>
>> You can also take the Canadian exam and pay for a Canadian license if 
>> you don't want to pay for the US license.
>
>
> Michael, I did not know this.  My US license is about to expire.  If the
> cost is nominal and I can schedule the exam, I'd do it.  I don't need a
> license down here.
>
>> This is available for all non-citizens as the foreign licenses are only
>> valid for short duration use and long-term use in Canadian waters
>> require a Canadian license.
>
>
> Are you sure about this latter part?  My reading of the US regs indicates
> that the pair of licenses demanded of US boaters traveling in foreign
> waters follows US limits.  If you have a link to the regulations 
> governing foreing boaters using VHF in Canada, I'd appreciate it.
>
> Thanks.
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