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 Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication (ITU-R)
Sector, 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 Recommendations ITU-R
M.493-11, ``Digital Selective-calling System for Use in the Maritime
Mobile Service,'' with Annexes 1 and 2, 2004, and ITU-R M.541-9,
``Operational Procedures for the Use of Digital Selective-Calling
Equipment in the Maritime Mobile Service,'' with Annexes 1 through 5,
2004. (see subpart W of this part.) ITU-R Recommendations M.493-11 with
Annexes 1 and 2 and M.541-9 with Annexes 1 through 5 are incorporated by
reference. The Director of the Federal Register approves this
incorporation by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies of these standards can be inspected at the Federal
Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC
(Reference Information Center) or at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to:
http://www.archives.gov/federal--register/code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html.
The ITU-R Recommendations can be purchased from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU),
Place des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland.
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.
Distress signal. The distress signal is a digital selective call
using an internationally recognized distress call format in the bands
used for terrestrial communication or an internationally recognized
distress message format, in which case it is relayed through space
stations, which indicates that a person, ship, aircraft, or other
vehicle is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests
immediate assistance.
(1) 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.
(2) For GMDSS, distress alerts result in an audible alarm and visual
indication that a ship or person is threatened by grave and imminent
danger and requests immediate assistance. These automatic systems
contain sufficient information in the distress alert message to identify
the vessel, prepare to assist and begin a search. However, except when
transmitted via satellite EPIRB, the distress alert is just the initial
call for help. Communication between the vessel or person in distress
and the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) or ship assisting should always
follow.
Distress traffic. Distress traffic consists of all messages relating
to the immediate assistance required by a person, ship, aircraft, or
other vehicle in distress, including search and rescue communications
and on-scene communications.
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
80.01, as well as waters within its land territory, such as rivers and lakes,
over which the United States exercises sovereignty.
INMARSAT. INMARSAT Ltd. is a private commercial company licensed in
the United Kingdom.
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 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 (MMSI). 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 radio communication
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.
Continued in next post - part three.
