**DA 02-1362**

> **Released: June 13, 2002**

**WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES USE OF AN ADDITIONAL
FREQUENCY FOR THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD'S PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY
SYSTEM**

By letter dated May 6, 2002,[^1] the United States Coast Guard (Coast
Guard) informed the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) that the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration had approved
the use of VHF Channel 88B (162.025 MHz[^2]) in Automatic Identification
Systems (AIS) and related safety systems in support of the Coast Guard's
Ports and Waterways Safety System (PAWSS).[^3] Previously, the Coast
Guard and Maritel, Inc., the geographic licensee for VHF Public Coast
Station Areas (VPCSAs) 1-9,[^4] notified the Bureau that they had
reached an agreement regarding the selection of Channels 87 A/B (157.375
MHz/161.975 MHz) for use in the PAWSS. The Coast Guard states in its May
6, 2002 letter that it will operate AIS on Channels 87B and 88B.

The International Maritime Organization Maritime Safety Committee
approved carriage requirements for shipborne AIS equipment to be phased
in beginning July 1, 2002. In addition, AIS ship station equipment is
expected to become available in the United States in the near future.
The Commission's Rules currently do not set forth licensing, equipment
certification, or frequency coordination requirements for AIS.[^5] These
matters will be addressed in a pending rulemaking proceeding.[^6] Until
such time, the Bureau will consider use of shipborne AIS equipment to be
authorized by existing ship station licenses, including vessels that are
licensed by rule.[^7]

For further information, please contact Ghassan Khalek, Policy and Rules
Branch, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-2771, TTY (202) 418-7233,
gkhalek@fcc.gov.

Action by the Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division,
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

\- FCC -

[^1]: Letter from J. Hersey, Chief, Spectrum Management Division, United
    States Coast Guard, to Thomas Sugrue, Chief, Wireless
    Telecommunications Bureau, Federal Communications Commission (dated
    May 6, 2002).

[^2]: Channel 88B is a Federal Government frequency. *See* 47 C.F.R. §
    2.106 n.G5.

[^3]: PAWSS will provide Vessel Traffic Services to facilitate the safe
    and efficient transit of vessel traffic to prevent collisions,
    groundings, and environmental damage associated with maritime
    accidents. *See* Amendment of the Commission's Rules Concerning
    Maritime Communications, *Third Report and Order and Memorandum
    Opinion and Order*, PR Docket No. 92-257, 13 FCC Rcd 19853, 19875 ¶
    46 (1998).

[^4]: VPCSAs 1-9 collectively encompass the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf
    coasts; the Mississippi River system; and Alaska and Hawaii. *See*
    47 C.F.R. § 80.373(c)(1)(ii).

[^5]: Amendment of Parts 13 and 80 of the Commission's Rules Concerning
    Maritime Communications, *Report and Order and Further Notice of
    Proposed Rule Making*, WT Docket No. 00-48, FCC 02-102, n.145 (rel.
    Apr. 9, 2002).

[^6]: *Id.*; *see* Amendment of the Commission's Rules Concerning
    Maritime Communications, *Fourth Further Notice of Proposed Rule
    Making*, PR Docket No. 92-257, 17 FCC Rcd 227, 235-36 ¶ 17 (2001).

[^7]: *See* 47 C.F.R. § 80.13(c).