#228
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From nautiluslifeline:
Hi there,
Margaret here from the Nautilus Lifeline.
The Nautilus Lifeline will be certified as a VHF radio by FCC and CE and certified for use in most countries around the world.
No base station radio license is required in the US.
No operator license is required in the US.
This information is found directly on the FCC website http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing&id=ship_stations.
In 19 years of running liveaboard dive trips in B.C., Alaska and offshore Mexico, we have always been able to recover all our divers (although some have drifted off-site and then been found). Our concern - and the reason we invented this device - is to add one more plank to our safety platform for even better odds. The inventor, Captain Mike Lever of the Nautilus Explorer, welcomes and is seeking all comments and ideas on this. Please contact him at mike@nautilusexplorer.com.
Thank you!
That link clearly states the only exception to requiring is license is "aboard voluntary ships operating domestically."
It then defines "The term "voluntary ships" refers to ships that are not required by law to carry a radio. Generally, this term applies to recreation or pleasure craft. The term "voluntary ships" does not apply to the following:
...
2. Ships certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry more than 6 passengers for hire in the open sea or tidewaters of the U.S."
I think most all dive op’s vessels would fall under this classification. Sure, if you’re diving off you own personal pleasure craft, or one of your friends’, you don’t need a license to operate on-board that craft. It is not clear that you can operate the radio off-board the craft though. I know you can use it on land.
But, the main point is, a vessel required to have a VHF Radio (such as a commercial boat certified to carry more than 6 passengers for hire) does require a license.
Also, the last time I checked with Nautilus, they had not applied for or received FCC-type certification. This is required of all radios operated in the VHF-Marine band (whether they are required to have a station license or not). They promised to get back to me when they received certification, but they have not, to date, so I must presume they have not received this certification.
I’m not picking on Nautilus. This is a great sounding product. It just appears that Nautilus hasn’t acknowledged all the steps need to market and use this in the USA, much less in foreign ports. And they don’t tell you of this potential legal omission. Once the liability of illegal operation is recognized, each person can then make an informed decision as to whether they will to break the law or not. It is kind of like not knowing it is illegal to carry a weapon somewhere... and purchasing one for self defense, even though it is illegal. On must make their own informed decision, as to the risks and mitigation they are willing to takes for themselves. Knowing the facts are part of the risk analysis.
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