In the United States the radio communications regulations are governed by the Federal Communications Commission who along with the US Coast Guard will determine the standards and regulations of radio transmissions and equipment on board GMDSS compulsory ships.
These communications rules are set forth in 47 CFR Part 80 of the United States code of federal regulations.
Radio stations on board GMDSS compulsory ships are to be inspected once each twelve months. (47CFR 80.1069) As these inspections are in concert with the Safety Convention there will be a Safety Certificate issued. We should not confuse the pre-departure inspection with the Annual Inspections. Also the ship radio station license will be endorsed as to the satisfactory inspection. This according to paragraph 80.1067 of the rules. These inspections may be done by a private concern, perhaps a local radio maintenance company. The certificate is displayed in a prominent place.
Of course there are some circumstances where exemptions to these inspections due to special problems and is noted in rule 80.1071. This states that if the ship's exemptions does not have a material effect on the safety of the ship they may be granted a partial or conditional ·exemptions. Some special exemptions may include a single voyage out of the sea area for which the ship is equipped.
Rules 47CFR 80.1073 and 80.1074 discusses the Radio Maintenance Personnel and states that ifthe ship elects an at-sea option for maintenance the ship must carry one person who qualifies as a GMDSS Maintainer. The GMDSS Radio Maintainer may act as the GMDSS Radio Operator, providing the individual has the proper GMDSS Radio Operator license as well as the GMDSS Maintainer's license
