Operation of Certain Domestic Ship and Aircraft Radio Stations Without Individual Licenses

This interim rule amends the Federal Communications Commission's (Commission) rules regarding ship and aircraft radio stations, to remove the individual radio licensing requirement and to authorize by rule the operation of radio equipment on recreational vessels and aircraft. The rules are effective immediately pending a proceeding to consider amending the Commission's rules. A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning these rules is published concurrently in the Federal Register. The Commission finds that while receipt of public comment is necessary to make a final determination of public interest regarding the repeal of licensing rules for recreational vessels and aircraft, it is not in the public interest to continue requiring such applications to be filed pending consideration of the proposed rules. The basis for this finding is that this interim rule will immediately reduce the regulatory burdens on the public and the Commission, and avoid the need to return thousands of applications and regulatory fees if the proposals in this proceeding are ultimately adopted. The interim rule does not make licensees eligible for a partial refund of user fees. However, if the interim rules are adopted as final, such licensees may at that time be eligible for a partial refund of user fees pursuant to 47 CFR 1.1159. The Commission further believes that the interim rules are necessary to avoid confusion and regulatory uncertainty in the marine and aviation communities. Moreover, the Commission does not believe that any party will be harmed by implementation of the interim rules, pending completion of the rulemaking proceeding.