Memorial Day trip to Port Lucaya
- Thread starter Odyssey
- Start date
highslice
Well-Known Member
- Mar 28, 2008
- 6,070
- Boat Info
- 270 SLX
2013 Sea Doo 155 Wake
- Engines
- 496 Mag
Bravo III
Corsa
Odyssey
Active Member
Odyssey
Active Member
Odyssey
Active Member
I think that someone has already posted this web site on the forum but I thought it would be good to re-post it for our trip. For those of you that haven't seen this yet, it is a really neat satellite photo map program that actually lets users input places and information on the map. Ever since I found this, I've been adding locations and data regarding the places I've been to in the Bahamas. I have made several additions in the Grand Bahama/Lucaya area including the famed "Cave Bar". Chad and Ray know where it is but who else does??????
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=26.513476&lon=-78.6408877&z=14&l=0&m=a&v=2
Randy
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=26.513476&lon=-78.6408877&z=14&l=0&m=a&v=2
Randy
Come on down - no joke.
Is an FCC license something they actually check for upon entering customs or something?
Do you really want to break laws outside the USofA?
missnmountains
Active Member
Exactly why we paid the $160.00. I could not even imagine what might happen. So why take the chance?
However, I am curious who monitors and/or enforces these rules?
However, I am curious who monitors and/or enforces these rules?
Well as a former Marine, it wouldn't be the first time ;-)
My question is this - How is this law enforced and/or monitored? I mean, if I stay off the VHF, am I Legal? If I only listen to my VHF am I legal?
I'm just so tired of the nanny state crap and this seems to be more of it.
Your point is valid, i.e. no way to I want to be illegal outside the US, but I'm more asking out of curiosity as I've gone into Canada via boat several times and at no time did any agent, US or Canadian, ask me anything about an FCC license.
Thanks,
Tim
trit21
Active Member
Here is the law on FCC licenses...oh yeah and operators permit.
Who Needs a Ship Station License
You do not need a license to operate a marine VHF radio, radar, or EPIRBs aboard voluntary ships operating domestically. 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:
Cargo ships over 300 gross tons navigating in the open sea;
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.;
Power driven ships over 20 meters in length on navigable waterways;
Ships of more than 100 gross tons certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry at least one passenger on navigable waterways;
Tow boats of more than 7.8 meters in length on navigable waterways; and,
Uninspected commercial fishing industry vessels required to carry a VHF radio.
Ships required to carry an Automatic Identification System (AIS) transceiver by the U.S. Coast Guard regulations enacted pursuant to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2000.
Ships are considered as operating domestically when they do not travel to foreign ports or do not transmit radio communications to foreign stations. Sailing in international waters is permitted, so long as the previous conditions are met. If you travel to a foreign port (e.g., Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands), a license is required. Additionally, if you travel to a foreign port, you are required to have an operator permit.
So even if you have a licensed, you still need an operator permit. We have been to the Bahamas a bunch of times and we don't have a license or permit. We know people that have been going for 20 years and no licensed, never been 'busted' and they go for 2 months at a time. Get one if you want but to be legal you better get an operator permit otherwise the license is useless if you can't operate the radio.
Who Needs a Ship Station License
You do not need a license to operate a marine VHF radio, radar, or EPIRBs aboard voluntary ships operating domestically. 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:
Cargo ships over 300 gross tons navigating in the open sea;
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.;
Power driven ships over 20 meters in length on navigable waterways;
Ships of more than 100 gross tons certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry at least one passenger on navigable waterways;
Tow boats of more than 7.8 meters in length on navigable waterways; and,
Uninspected commercial fishing industry vessels required to carry a VHF radio.
Ships required to carry an Automatic Identification System (AIS) transceiver by the U.S. Coast Guard regulations enacted pursuant to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2000.
Ships are considered as operating domestically when they do not travel to foreign ports or do not transmit radio communications to foreign stations. Sailing in international waters is permitted, so long as the previous conditions are met. If you travel to a foreign port (e.g., Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands), a license is required. Additionally, if you travel to a foreign port, you are required to have an operator permit.
So even if you have a licensed, you still need an operator permit. We have been to the Bahamas a bunch of times and we don't have a license or permit. We know people that have been going for 20 years and no licensed, never been 'busted' and they go for 2 months at a time. Get one if you want but to be legal you better get an operator permit otherwise the license is useless if you can't operate the radio.
Last edited:
OK... I'll state the obvious...
How can the FCC (i.e. US Government) tell you what license you have to have in the Bahamas? So you are breaking a US law while not in the US? Huh? I guess if you go to Germany, you can't drive over 55 mph either because of the laws back in Toledo?
Give me a break....
How can the FCC (i.e. US Government) tell you what license you have to have in the Bahamas? So you are breaking a US law while not in the US? Huh? I guess if you go to Germany, you can't drive over 55 mph either because of the laws back in Toledo?
Give me a break....
Thanks dude - that's about what I figured...
missnmountains
Active Member
Gary,
You pinged it. Who can monitor or enforce? I don't think anyone could. It is just another fee to pay for our out of control government.
You pinged it. Who can monitor or enforce? I don't think anyone could. It is just another fee to pay for our out of control government.
That's what it looks like... maybe they'll start making you pay sales tax in the US for the subway rides in London... WTF.
Maybe we have "secret agents" in the Bahamas listening... a whole "VHF economy" and division of the US Government...
I say use the money and buy spare impellers for when you forget to open your sea cocks...
Last edited:
So I think we're tentatively planning on a raft off at Lake Boca from the 23rd-25th. Plan on arriving Friday night and staying as long as you'd like. I and the rest of the family will likely be there the whole weekend.
I'll bring the little boat for some fishing in and around the Boca Inlet should we get bored and/or hungry ;-)
-Tim
I'll bring the little boat for some fishing in and around the Boca Inlet should we get bored and/or hungry ;-)
-Tim
missnmountains
Active Member
Gary,
I did that once on a genset about 5 years ago...no genset within 60 seconds.
Guys, Let me know where everyone will be staying prior to crossing. I am in for May. We will head across the day before and stay in Stuart. Any recommendations? Any
contingencies should the Gulf Stream get ugly?
It might make sense as May gets closer to get contact info and how many are going.
I have a somewhat flexible schedule, but I don't want to sit in Stuart or Lucaya for days waiting for good weather.
I did that once on a genset about 5 years ago...no genset within 60 seconds.
Guys, Let me know where everyone will be staying prior to crossing. I am in for May. We will head across the day before and stay in Stuart. Any recommendations? Any
contingencies should the Gulf Stream get ugly?
It might make sense as May gets closer to get contact info and how many are going.
I have a somewhat flexible schedule, but I don't want to sit in Stuart or Lucaya for days waiting for good weather.
Odyssey
Active Member
That is correct. Ray306 cannot be there on Friday night but can arrive saturday morning and stay that night. He is having generator issues right now, hopefully, he'll get those taken care of by the 24th.
Randy