Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Code of Federal Regulations Title 46. Shipping § 46.28.245 Communication equipment

Current as of October 02, 2022 | Updated by FindLaw Staff

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (e) of this section, each vessel must be equipped as follows.

(1) Each vessel must be equipped with a VHF radiotelephone capable of transmitting and receiving on the frequency or frequencies within the 156–162 MHz band necessary to communicate with a public coast station or U.S. Coast Guard station serving the area in which the vessel is operating.

(2) Each vessel that operates more than 20 miles from the coastline, in addition to the VHF radiotelephone required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, must be equipped with a radiotelephone transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving on frequencies in the 2–4 MHz band necessary to communicate with a public coast station or U.S. Coast Guard station serving the area in which the vessel is operating.

(3) Each vessel that operates more than 100 miles from the coastline, in addition to the communication equipment required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section must be equipped with a radiotelephone transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving on frequencies in the 2–27.5 MHz band necessary to communicate with a public coast station or U.S. Coast Guard station serving the area in which the vessel is operating.

(4) Each vessel that operates in waters contiguous to Alaska where no public coast station or U.S. Coast Guard station is within communications range of a VHF radio transceiver operating on the 156–162 MHz band or the 2–4 MHz band, in addition to the VHF radio communication equipment required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section, must be equipped with a radiotelephone transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving on frequencies in the 2–27.5 MHz band necessary to communicate with a public coast station or a U.S. Coast Guard station serving the area in which the vessel is operating.

(b) A single radio transceiver capable of meeting the requirements of paragraphs (a) (2) and (3), or paragraphs (a) (2), (3), and (4) of this section, is acceptable.

(c) Satellite communication capability with the system servicing the area in which the vessel is operating is acceptable as an alternative to the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), or (a)(4) of this section.

(d) A cellular telephone capable of communicating with a public coast station or a U.S. Coast Guard station serving the area in which the vessel is operating is acceptable as an alternative to the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), or (a)(4) of this section.

(e) A radiotelephone transceiver installed on board a vessel before September 15, 1991, capable of transmitting and receiving on frequencies on the 4–20 MHz band may continue to be used to satisfy the requirements of paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4) of this section.

(f) The principle operating position of the communication equipment must be at the operating station.

(g) Communication equipment must be installed to ensure safe operation of the equipment and to facilitate repair. It must be protected against vibration, moisture, temperature, and excessive currents and voltages. It must be located so as to minimize the possibility of water intrusion from windows broken by heavy seas.

(h) Communication equipment must comply with the technical standards and operating requirements issued by the Federal Communications Commission, as set forth in 47 CFR part 80.

Note:  Each vessel which uses radio equipment to meet the communication requirements of this section must have a Ship Radio Station License issued by the Federal Communications Commission, as set forth in 47 CFR part 80.

(i) All communication equipment must be provided with an emergency source of power that complies with § 28.375.

Back to chapter list
Previous part of code Next part of code
Back to chapter list

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Code of Federal Regulations Title 46. Shipping § 46.28.245 Communication equipment - last updated October 02, 2022 | https://codes.findlaw.com/cfr/title-46-shipping/cfr-sect-46-28-245/

Read this complete Code of Federal Regulations Title 46. Shipping § 46.28.245 Communication equipment on Westlaw

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Search all Codes

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About the Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to find an attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

    More Options
    Copied to clipboard