---
title: "Check which ship radio operator credential the station requires"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/maritime-shipping-and-transport/check-which-marine-radio-certificate-a-near-coastal-certificate-requires/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A37-NE20261022-15-US"
practice_area: "Maritime, Shipping & Transport"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Check which ship radio operator credential the station requires

> From the station papers and the operator credential on the file, mark the station type and any power the papers state, and whether the credential held is a radio officer certificate, a marine radio operator permit, a…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/maritime-shipping-and-transport/check-which-marine-radio-certificate-a-near-coastal-certificate-requires/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Maritime, Shipping & Transport](https://ailawframework.com/practice/maritime-shipping-and-transport.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | From the station papers and the operator credential on the file, mark the station type and any power the papers state, and whether the credential held is a radio officer certificate, a marine radio operator permit, a general radiotelephone operator license, or a GMDSS radio operator license. Do not decide which row applies. |
| What the lawyer must review | 47 CFR section 80.159 sets the operator credential by station, not by a near-coastal deck credential. A telegraphy passenger ship must carry two radio officers holding a stated radiotelegraph certificate or license. A cargo radiotelegraph ship must carry a radio officer with at least six months' service on United States ships, and a second radio officer if there is no auto alarm. A cargo radiotelephone ship requires a marine radio operator permit or higher where power does not exceed 1,500 watts peak envelope power, and a general radiotelephone operator license or higher above that. A passenger ship with a GMDSS installation must carry at least two GMDSS radio operators, or restricted GMDSS licenses if it operates exclusively within 20 nautical miles of shore. A ship transporting more than six passengers for hire with a radiotelephone station uses the 250-watt carrier or 1,500-watt peak envelope power split in subsection (e). Section 7101(c)(4) is a Coast Guard license class for radio officers. It is not the FCC operator permit. You decide which row applies before the papers are relied on. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Check which marine radio certificate a near coastal certificate requires](https://ailawframework.com/practice/maritime-shipping-and-transport/check-which-marine-radio-certificate-a-near-coastal-certificate-requires.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: From the station papers and the operator credential on the file, mark the station type and any power the papers state, and whether the credential held is a radio officer certificate, a marine radio operator permit, a general radiotelephone operator license, or a GMDSS radio operator license. Do not decide which row applies.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- There is no table in the opened pages that ties an FCC permit to a particular near-coastal officer endorsement.
- 47 CFR section 13.7, cited for the GMDSS license classes, was not opened. Subpart W was not opened.

## Sources

- [47 CFR section 80.159 (ship radio operator requirements)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/47/80.159) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [46 USC section 7101 (licenses and certificates of registry)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/46/7101) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*