If you own a recreational vessel equipped with a radio, you may receive what seems like an alarming letter from a company called Business Radio Licensing, stating that your radio license “has been terminated or cancelled by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).” The letter also says it will cost $290 in processing fees to get your license reinstated. Failure to do so, the letter warns, “can subject you to fines by the FCC.”

First, take a deep breath. Business Radio Licensing is not affiliated with the FCC and is not in a position to make threats on behalf of the federal agency. Rest assured that, when and if your license needs to be renewed, the FCC will let you know ahead of time.

Second, some of the information in the Business Radio Licensing letter may not exactly be true. Recreational vessels are not required to carry VHF radios, radar, LORAN, GPS or EPIRBs and, if they do, FCC licenses are not required in most instances.

Third, owners of recreational vessels are required to obtain radio licenses from the FCC only under specific circumstances, for example, when traveling to or broadcasting in a foreign port (except Canada), if the boat is 65 ft. or longer or if single sideband radios or Inmarsat equipment is being used.

For complete information about radio licensing requirements, visit the FCC’s web site, http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/fctsht14.html.

(c) Copyright BoatU.S. Magazine, May 2007