Raymarine RAY63, Installation And Operation Instruction Manual

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3.1 Licensing
Prior to using this product for the first time, please check your national requirements for both
operator and equipment licensing.
Important: It is your responsibility to determine whether a license is required in your area
before operating this equipment.
In many regions, the following authorizations are required from the relevant regulatory authority:
1. Ship Station VHF license;
2. Operator’s license;
3. MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) number.
Licenses are typically issued by the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) in each country.
Important:
It may also be necessary to obtain an Operator’s license before an MMSI number can be obtained
for your vessel. The DSC functions of the radio will not work without a valid MMSI number. For
more information, refer to:
p.30 — Obtain MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) number
USA licensing requirements
FCC station license requirement
An FCC Ship Radio Station License and Call Sign are not required for most recreational vessels
travelling in US waters. However, you must obtain a license if your vessel travels to foreign ports.
Ships that use MF/HF single side-band radio, satellite communications, or telegraphy must be
licensed by the FCC.
For more information, refer to the FCC website (
Licensing tab): https://www.fcc.gov/bureau-
divisions/mobility-division/ship-radio-stations#block-menu-block-4
Canada licensing requirements
You do not need a license to operate this product within the sovereign waters of Canada or the
United States of America (USA).
You will need a license to operate this radio outside of Canada or the USA. To obtain licensing
information, visit the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) (previously
known as Industry Canada) website:
https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/oep-navigation-
radiocomms-faqs-1489.htm .
Europe licensing requirements
Before the first use of a VHF radio in countries in Europe, the following authorizations MUST be
obtained from the relevant regulatory authority.
• Ship Station VHF license — this authorizes the use of two-way VHF communications with other
vessels, aircraft and shore stations. This license is applicable to a specific vessel, and is usually
valid for the lifetime of the vessel. If you ever sell your vessel in the future, you will need to arrange
for the transfer of the Ship Station VHF license to the new vessel owner.
• Operator’s license — this authorizes an individual operator to conduct two-way VHF
communications with other vessels, aircraft and shore stations. For most non-commercial
operators, this license is usually referred to as a “Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit”,
or “Restricted Certificate of Competence in Radiotelephone”.
• MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) number — a 9 digit number which is sent over a radio
frequency channel in order to identify the originating vessel/station. If your vessel already has
an MMSI number, the same MMSI number must be used to program your VHF radio. In Europe,
the MMSI number can be programmed into the unit by the user.
In some regions, you must
obtain a radio operator’s licence before an MMSI number will be issued. In these areas, you
can request an MMSI number from the same authority that issues the Operator’s license or Ship
Station VHF licence.
It is also the radio operator’s responsibility to be familiar with all relevant rules and regulations related
to radio use. In regions in which a VHF transceiver is compulsory, a current copy of the applicable
government rules and regulations must be accessible to the operator.
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