Sec.  80.159   Operator requirements of Title III of the Communications Act and the
Safety Convention.

   (a) Each telegraphy passenger ship equipped with a radiotelegraph station in
   accordance with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must carry
   one radio officer holding a first or second class radiotelegraph operator's
   certificate and a second radio officer holding either a first or second
   class radiotelegraph operator's certificate. The holder of a second class
   radiotelegraph  operator's  certificate may not act as the chief radio
   officer.

   (b) Each cargo ship equipped with a radiotelegraph station in accordance
   with  Part  II  of Title III of the Communications Act and which has a
   radiotelegraph auto alarm must carry a radio officer holding a first or
   second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate who has had at least six
   months service as a radio officer on board U.S. ships. If the radiotelegraph
   station does not have an auto alarm, a second radio officer who holds a
   first or second class radiotelegraph operator's certificate must be carried.

   (c) Each cargo ship equipped with a radiotelephone station in accordance
   with Part II of Title III of the Communications Act must carry a radio
   operator who meets the following requirements:

   (1) Where the station power does not exceed 1500 watts peak envelope power,
   the  operator must hold a marine radio operator permit or higher class
   license.

   (2) Where the station power exceeds 1500 watts peak envelope power, the
   operator must hold a general radiotelephone radio operator license or higher
   class license.

   (d) Each passenger ship equipped with a GMDSS installation in accordance
   with subpart W of this part shall carry at least two persons holding an
   appropriate GMDSS Radio Operator License or, if the passenger ship operates
   exclusively within twenty nautical miles of shore, at least two persons
   holding either a GMDSS Radio Operator License or a Restricted GMDSS Radio
   Operator License, as specified in  Sec. 13.7 of this chapter.

   (e) Each ship transporting more than six passengers for hire equipped with a
   radiotelephone station in accordance with Part III of Title III of the
   Communications Act must carry a radio operator who meets the following
   requirements:

   (1) Where the station power does not exceed 250 watts carrier power or 1500
   watts peak envelope power, the radio operator must hold a marine radio
   operator permit or higher class license.

   (2) Where the station power exceeds 250 watts carrier power or 1500 watts
   peak envelope power, the radio operator must hold a general radiotelephone
   operator license or higher class license.

   [ 51 FR 31213 , Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at  54 FR 40058 , Sept. 29, 1989;  68 FR 46962 , Aug. 7, 2003]