Radio license for Bahamas

[sailorboy1]

Has anyone been asked for their license to use their VHF in the Bahamas, or elsewhere in caribbean?

[Hudson Force]

We've often been cruising in the Bahamas since 1975 and that question has never been asked of us. We've even had a boarding and inspection from Bahamian authorities without that question.

[sailorboy1]

That's what I suspected, but I got this Skipper Bob book and it made a thing on it about the need.

[a64pilot]

You may want to go ahead and spend the bucks for your radio operators telephone permit and the boats radio station license, just in case you decide to go somewhere other than the Bahamas.

[l2ridehd]

That is required only for Captains who are taking passengers for hire. New gimmick to get money. There is no test, just forms to fill out once a year and hand over $100.

[puffcard]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

That is required only for Captains who are taking passengers for hire. New gimmick to get money. There is no test, just forms to fill out once a year and hand over $100.

What I remember is any US Flag ship that broadcast in a foreign country needs a station license. FCC requirement. Bahamas don't care.

[FSMike]

Bahamas may exhibit some interest in ham/ssb licenses but I've never heard anything about vhf licenses.
As with so many things when away from the USA, for Pete's sake DON'T ASK.
Those who involve the bureaucracy unnecessarily deserve it.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by FSMike

Bahamas may exhibit some interest in ham/ssb licenses but I've never heard anything about vhf licenses.
As with so many things when away from the USA, for Pete's sake DON'T ASK.
Those who involve the bureaucracy unnecessarily deserve it.

Don't ask, don't volunteer anything unless asked specifically.

[bobnlesley]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

You may want to go ahead and spend the bucks for your radio operators telephone permit and the boats radio station license, just in case you decide to go somewhere other than the Bahamas.

Better still, why not just spend the money on beer/wine/rum? We recently totted up that since leaving the UK, we've visited 42 different countries, none of which have shown any interest whatsoever in our VHF radio operators licences, or indeed our RYA/ICC Certificates or competence; hell, I doubt if more than half a dozen have even checked that we're 3rd-party insured!

[puffcard]

1. The FCC a few years ago did away with mandatory licensing for VHF radios for U.S. vessels operating exclusively in U.S. waters.

2. If you communicate with a foreign vessel, or you travel to a foreign port, a VHF station license and at least a Restricted Radio Operators permit are mandatory.

These are FCC rules, found on their site. Not Bahama rules.

[CSY Man]

I got the FCC Station license, $215. Most definetly required for journeys to foreign countries.
Whether anybody check or not, I don't care. If it is easy to play by the rules, why not do it?
Same with the Operators license, took an open book test and payed about $60 some years ago for an FCC Marine Radio Operators License, good for both commercial and recreational. Easy stuff.
I also carry the required number of life jackets, and flares, etc whether I will be boardet or not. Easy.

[chuckr]

We have sailed to maybe 25-40 (lost count) different and never been asked. But we do have our licenses issued by the USA and FCC just in case. And we have used our ssb in multiple countries.