Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-102
§381 Vessels Transporting More Than Six Passengers for Hire Required to Be Equipped with Radiotelephone
Title 47 › CHAPTER 5 — WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › SUBCHAPTER III — SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO RADIO › Part III — Radio Installations on Vessels Carrying Passengers for Hire › § 381
Summary
It is illegal for any U.S. vessel carrying more than six paying passengers to operate on the open sea or on U.S. tidal waters next to the sea unless it has a working, effective radiotelephone on board. Exceptions allowed under section 382 apply.
Full Legal Text
Title 47, §381
Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Except as provided in section 382 of this title, it shall be unlawful for any vessel of the United States, transporting more than six passengers for hire, to be navigated in the open sea or any tidewater within the jurisdiction of the United States adjacent or contiguous to the open sea, unless such vessel is equipped with an efficient radiotelephone installation in operating condition.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–414 inserted section catchline. Statutory Notes
Effective Date
section 4 of act Aug. 6, 1956, provided that: “The
Amendments
made herein [enacting this part and amending section 153 and 504 of this title] shall take effect March 1, 1957.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
47 U.S.C. § 381
Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102