Ships use marine and inland waterway radio to communicate on the water. Before you put your radio equipment on board your ship into operation, you need a valid ship station license, which you must apply for from the Federal Network Agency.

In order to be able to use radio communication, the Federal Network Agency will assign you a call sign. A number assignment is also required if you want to operate a distress radio transmitter, for example an emergency radio beacon (EPIRB). The numbers are allocated to you in the form of a ship station license.

For new applications, all the necessary information must be provided in the application and the required supporting documents must be attached to the application.

You must apply for an amendment to the Ship Station License for the following changes:

• Name of the allottee
• the address
• Name of the vessel
• Type of vessel
• Type and number of radio installations
• Omission of the billing identifier (AAIC)

Changes, such as the dimensions of the vessel or the details of the 24-hour emergency contact, must be notified. This data is passed on to the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) and is very important in the event of an emergency at sea.

If the numbers are no longer required, a declaration of return must be made by all the allocation holders listed in the certificate (important in the case of a community of owners).

If a vessel is sold, the numbers can be transferred to the buyer as legal successor in order to avoid the discontinuation of the radio equipment with new numbers. To do this, an application must be made to the Federal Network Agency for an adjustment of the previously valid number allocation.