GROL Radio Law and Regulations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which part of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations governs maritime mobile radio services?
- 47 CFR Part 73
- 47 CFR Part 80 (Correct answer)
- 47 CFR Part 90
- 47 CFR Part 97
Correct answer: 47 CFR Part 80
47 CFR Part 80 contains FCC rules governing stations in the maritime mobile and maritime mobile-satellite services.
Question 2: What is the minimum retention period for a ship station's radio log under FCC rules?
- Six months
- One year
- Two years (Correct answer)
- Five years
Correct answer: Two years
FCC rules require that ship station radio logs be retained for a minimum of two years from the date of the last entry.
Question 3: What is a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number?
- A 5-digit vessel hull identification number
- A unique 9-digit number assigned to a ship station for DSC and distress alerting (Correct answer)
- An FCC-issued certificate number for radio equipment
- The vessel's official documentation number from the Coast Guard
Correct answer: A unique 9-digit number assigned to a ship station for DSC and distress alerting
An MMSI is a unique 9-digit identification number programmed into DSC-equipped radios to identify a specific ship station during automated distress alerts.
Question 4: Which category of communications must at minimum be recorded in a ship station's radio log?
- All transmitted and received messages without exception
- Routine traffic and weather broadcasts only
- Distress, urgency, safety, and calling communications (Correct answer)
- Only communications conducted with coast stations
Correct answer: Distress, urgency, safety, and calling communications
FCC rules require that distress, urgency, safety, and calling communications be logged as a minimum requirement for ship stations.
Question 5: Which of the following is strictly prohibited on a ship radio station?
- Broadcasting received weather forecasts to other vessels
- Exchanging commercial business information
- Transmitting false or fraudulent distress signals (Correct answer)
- Communicating with vessels of another flag state
Correct answer: Transmitting false or fraudulent distress signals
Transmitting false or fraudulent distress signals is a serious federal offense prohibited by the Communications Act and subject to criminal penalties.
Question 6: Under FCC rules, when is a U.S. vessel required to hold an FCC ship station license?
- Whenever any radio equipment is operated in U.S. coastal waters
- When the vessel travels to a foreign port or navigates in international waters (Correct answer)
- Whenever the vessel operates more than 3 miles offshore
- Whenever radio equipment is installed, regardless of where the vessel operates
Correct answer: When the vessel travels to a foreign port or navigates in international waters
An FCC ship station license is required when a U.S. vessel travels to a foreign port or navigates in international waters beyond U.S. jurisdiction.
Question 7: What is the priority level of a MAYDAY distress call in maritime radio communications?
- Second priority — urgency level
- Highest priority — distress level (Correct answer)
- Third priority — safety level
- Equal priority with urgency calls
Correct answer: Highest priority — distress level
MAYDAY is the international radiotelephone distress signal and carries the absolute highest priority over all other maritime radio communications.
GROL Radio Law and Regulations 3
Which part of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations governs maritime mobile radio services?