Title 47Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-73

§360 Station licenses; inspection of equipment by Commission

Title 47 › Chapter CHAPTER 5— - WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO RADIO › Part Part II— - Radio Equipment and Radio Operators On Board Ship › § 360

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Each U.S. ship covered by these rules must have a radio license that lists the specific items the rules require. Every such ship must have its radio equipment inspected at least once a year by the Commission or someone the Commission picks. If the ship passes, the Commission will note that on the license. The Commission can do more inspections when needed. The Commission may delay a yearly inspection up to 90 days so a ship can finish a voyage to a U.S. port, or delay it for a ship that follows the Safety Convention and is operating only outside U.S. waters, but that ship must be inspected within 30 days after it returns to the United States.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §360

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In addition to any other provisions required to be included in a radio station license, the station license of each ship of the United States subject to this subchapter shall include particulars with reference to the items specifically required by this subchapter.
(b)Every ship of the United States that is subject to this part shall have the equipment and apparatus prescribed therein inspected at least once each year by the Commission or an entity designated by the Commission. If, after such inspection, the Commission is satisfied that all relevant provisions of this chapter and the station license have been complied with, the fact shall be so certified on the station license by the Commission. The Commission shall make such additional inspections at frequent intervals as the Commission determines may be necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of this chapter. The Commission may, upon a finding that the public interest could be served thereby—
(1)waive the annual inspection required under this section for a period of up to 90 days for the sole purpose of enabling a vessel to complete its voyage and proceed to a port in the United States where an inspection can be held; or
(2)waive the annual inspection required under this section for a vessel that is in compliance with the radio provisions of the Safety Convention and that is operating solely in waters beyond the jurisdiction of the United States: Provided, That such inspection shall be performed within 30 days of such vessel’s return to the United States.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This part, referred to in subsec. (b), commences with section 351 of this title. This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original “this Act”, meaning act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, known as the Communications Act of 1934, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–104 amended subsec. (b) generally, revising structure of subsec. so as to contain 2 pars. and adding provisions relating to inspection by an entity designated by Commission, waiver of inspection for up to 90 days, and waiver for vessels in compliance with radio provisions of Safety Convention that are outside the jurisdiction of the United States. 1962—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 87–811 empowered the Commission to waive the annual inspection from the time of first arrival at a United States port from a foreign port, for the sole purpose of enabling the vessel to proceed coastwise to another port in the United States where an inspection can be held, and limiting such waiver to not more than a period of 30 days.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective
May 20, 1937, see section 16 of act
May 20, 1937, set out as a note under section 351 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 360

Title 47Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73