Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Other Regulations

FCC Regulations

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires a Ship Station License for some vessels equipped with VHF radios, radar, EPIRBs, and some other telecommunications equipment.

• As of 1996, most recreational vessels no longer need the FCC license if operating domestically. “Domestically” means not traveling to foreign ports or transmitting to foreign stations, including Canada.
• Vessels still required to carry an FCC Ship Station License are:
  • Power-driven vessels over 65.6 feet (20 meters) in length
  • Vessels certified to carry more than 6 passengers for hire
  • Towboats and commercial fishing vessels
  • Other vessels required by federal law to carry a VHF radio, radar, etc.
• The Ship Station License must be on board the vessel.
• A license application (Form 506) can be obtained from any office of the FCC. There is a fee for the license. Call 1-800-418-FORM (3676) for an application and information.

VHF Marine Radios A VHF marine radio will allow you to summon help quickly if you get into trouble on the water. Read more about VHF radios and the channels available to recreational boaters under Summoning Help in Chapter 5.

Canadian Border Landing Permit

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) requires inspection of small vessel operators and their passengers when entering the U.S. from a foreign port, including Canada. Every person must have a U.S. passport.

Boaters who have landed on Canadian soil are required to:

• Report in person to a designated U.S. port-of-entry for inspection or ...
• Be in possession of an INS form I-68.
  • The I-68 is used to expedite the inspection process and must be obtained in advance by every U.S. or Canadian citizen entering the U.S.
  • Contact the INS for information or to obtain an I-68. The INS has offices in Cleveland, Sandusky, and Toledo.
• Note: If traveling to Canada, be alert to changes in border security procedures.

U.S. Customs Service Boat Reporting

All boats entering the U.S. from Canadian waters and carrying passengers who were on Canadian soil must report to U.S. Customs.

• This legal obligation may be met by telephone. Boaters may call before leaving Canada, while en route with a cell phone, or immediately upon arrival in the U.S.
• Have the following information ready when calling to avoid delays:
  • Boat registration number
  • Boat length (and customs decal number if 30 feet or more in length)
  • Captain’s name and date of birth
  • Total number of persons on board and value of all purchases in Canada
  • The name of the marina where you first arrived on the U.S. side
• Boats 30 feet or more in length must purchase an annual user fee decal from a U.S. Customs office prior to a voyage to Canada. The U.S. Customs Service has offices in Toledo, Sandusky, Cleveland, and Ashtabula. Call for more information.
• Note: If traveling to Canada, be alert to changes in border security procedures.

Waterway Homeland Security

A boater’s role in keeping our waterways safe and secure include doing the following.

• Keep your distance from all military, cruise-line, or commercial shipping vessels.
  • Do not approach within 100 yards.
  • Slow to minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. naval vessel.
• Observe and avoid all security zones.
• Observe and avoid other restricted areas near dams, power plants, etc.
• Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in a channel.
• Keep a sharp eye out for anything that looks peculiar or out of the ordinary.

In March, 2005, the U.S. Coast Guard officially launched America’s Waterway Watch to encourage the boating public to report suspicious activities in our nation’s ports and waterways. America's Waterway Watch simply asks anyone who works, lives, or recreates on the water to keep an extra eye out for any suspicious activities. Anyone who spots anything is asked to call the National Response Center's 24-hour hotline, 1-800-424-8802 or 1-877-24WATCH. The National Response Center is comprised of 16 federal response agencies that have various skills to respond to different incidents.

To Report Suspicious Activities: Call the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 or 1-877-24WATCH

For Immediate Danger to Life or Property: Call 911