Federal Communications Commission	DA 26-975


DA 26-975
Released: September 14, 2026

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON OCEAN SIGNAL LIMITED (LTD.) REQUEST FOR WAIVER TO PERMIT EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZATION AND USE OF A MARITIME SURVIVOR LOCATING DEVICE (MSLD) 
WT Docket No. 26-251


Comment Date: October 5, 2026	  		Reply Comment Date: October 15, 2026

By this Public Notice, we seek comment on Ocean Signal Ltd.’s (Ocean Signal) request for waiver of Section 95.2989(b)(1)(ii) of the Commission’s rules to permit the equipment authorization and use of its latest Man Overboard (MOB) device Request For Waiver, Docket No. INBOX-1.925, at 1 (filed Apr. 30, 2026), https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/search-filings/filing/1043006200474.
—MOB2. Ocean Signal, rescueME MOB2, https://oceansignal.com/products/mob2/ (last visited Sept, 4, 2026).
  The MOB2 is a Maritime Survivor Locating Device (MSLD) An MSLD is a device intended to aid in the location of persons in the water.  47 CFR § 95.2903. 
 that operates on Automatic Identification System (AIS) AIS is a maritime broadcast service that automatically provides vessel information (including the vessel's identity, type, position, course, speed, navigational status, and other safety-related information) to appropriately-equipped shore stations, other ships, and aircraft; receives such information from similarly-fitted ships; monitors and tracks ships; and exchanges data with shore-based facilities.  See 47 CFR §§ 80.5, 80.393. 
 channels and integrates very high frequency (VHF) digital selective calling (DSC) DSC automatically establishes contact with a station or group of stations by radio.  47 CFR § 80.5.  DSC allows mariners to send an automatically-formatted distress alert to USCG or other rescue authority.  USCG, Digital Selective Calling, https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/digital-selective-calling (last visited Sept. 4, 2026).  DSC also allows mariners to initiate or receive distress, urgency, safety, and routine radiotelephone calls to or from any similarly-equipped vessel or shore station.  Id.  
 in compliance with a current Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) RTCM is an international non-profit scientific, professional, and educational organization, whose members actively engage in the development of international standards for maritime radio navigation and radio communication systems.  RTCM, OVERVIEW OF RTCM, https://www.rtcm.org/about-rtcm (last visited Sept, 4, 2026).
 standard—RTCM 11901.2, Standard for Maritime Survivor Locating Devices (MSLD). RTCM, RTCM 11901.2, Standard for Maritime Survivor Locating Devices (MSLD) November 15, 2024,
https://www.rtcm.org/publications (last visited Sept. 4, 2026)

MSLDs are transmitters intended for use by those who are at risk of falling into the water, such as mariners and workers on marine installations or docks, or by divers who are out of sight of their dive boats. FCC, Maritime Survivor Locating Devices (MSLDs) (Sept. 27, 2022), https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/maritime-survivor-locating-devices-mslds#:~:text=Maritime%20Survivor%20Locating%20Devices%20%28MSLDs%29%20are%20transmitters%20are,surface%20out%20of%20sight%20of%20their%20dive%20boats.
  Overall, MSLDs aid in locating persons in the water. 47 CFR § 95.2903.
  MSLDs can be worn on or as part of a garment or life jacket and are intended to facilitate immediate rescue. FCC, supra note 8.
 
Domestically, the sale and use of an MSLD requires a company to obtain an FCC ID number, which indicates that the device has received an FCC grant of certification. See 47 CFR § 95.2987.
  Currently, to be manufactured, imported, or sold in the United States, MSLDs must conform with RTCM Standard 11901.1 (Maritime Survivor Locating Devices (MSLD)), which is incorporated by reference in 47 CFR    § 95.2989(b)(1)(ii). See 47 CFR § 95.2991(b). 
  
However, in November 2024, RTCM Standard 11901.2 was published. RTCM, supra note 7.
  This updated standard recognized the integration of DSC and AIS technologies. Id.
  According to Ocean Signal, the MOB2 immediately activates a DSC distress call on a vessel’s VHF radio and transmits a location via AIS that rapidly alerts the maritime community. Ocean Signal, supra note 1.
  Consequently, Ocean Signal seeks a waiver to permit equipment certification and use of the MOB2, which Ocean Signal asserts is compliant with the latest RTCM standard that is not incorporated into the Commission’s rules. On March 31, 2025, RTCM filed a petition for rulemaking, proposing the incorporation by reference of the revised RTCM standard.  Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services Petition for rulemaking to amend Part 95 Subpart K of the Commission’s rules to provide for updated standards on Personal Locator Beacons and Maritime Survivor Locating Devices, WTB RM-12004 (filed Mar. 31, 2025), https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/search-filings/filing/103310147126193.  The petition was placed on Public Notice on June 17, 2025.  OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY REFERENCE INFORMATION CENTER PETITION FOR RULE MAKING FILED, RM-12004, Public Notice, Report No. 3214 (OMD 2025).

Accordingly, the Bureau seeks comment on Ocean Signal’s waiver request for the MOB2.  Ocean Signal filed its request electronically in the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).  We have since opened a new docket, WT Docket No. 26-251, to facilitate consideration of Ocean Signal’s request and associated submissions.  Parties should file all comments and reply comments in WT Docket No. 26-251.
Procedural Matters
This proceeding has been designated as a “permit-but-disclose” proceeding in accordance with the Commission's ex parte rules. See 47 CFR §§ 1.1200(a), 1.1206.
  Persons making ex parte presentations must file a copy of any written presentation or a memorandum summarizing any oral presentation within two business days after the presentation (unless a different deadline applicable to the Sunshine period applies).  Persons making oral ex parte presentations are reminded that memoranda summarizing the presentation must (1) list all persons attending or otherwise participating in the meeting at which the ex parte presentation was made, and (2) summarize all data presented and arguments made during the presentation.  If the presentation consisted in whole or in part of the presentation of data or arguments already reflected in the presenter’s written comments, memoranda or other filings in the proceeding, the presenter may provide citations to such data or arguments in his or her prior comments, memoranda, or other filings (specifying the relevant page and/or paragraph numbers where such data or arguments can be found) in lieu of summarizing them in the memorandum.  Documents shown or given to Commission staff during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and must be filed consistent with rule 1.1206(b).  In proceedings governed by rule 1.49(f) or for which the Commission has made available a method of electronic filing, written ex parte presentations and memoranda summarizing oral ex parte presentations, and all attachments thereto, must be filed through the electronic comment filing system available for that proceeding, and must be filed in their native format (e.g., .doc, .xml, .ppt, searchable .pdf).  Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the Commission’s ex parte rules.
Interested parties may file comments and reply comments on or before the dates indicated on the first page of this document.  Comments may be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS).  
· Electronic Filers:  Comments may be filed electronically using the Internet by accessing the ECFS:  https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/.  
· Paper Filers:  Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and one copy of each filing.  
o Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial courier, or by the U.S. Postal Service.  All filings must be addressed to the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
o Hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET by the FCC’s mailing contractor at 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.  All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners.  Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of before entering the building.  
o Commercial courier deliveries (any deliveries not by the U.S. Postal Service) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.
o Filings sent by U.S. Postal Service First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express must be sent to 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.
People with Disabilities.  To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice).
For further information, contact maritime@fcc.gov; Katie Knox at (717) 338-2652, katie.knox@fcc.gov; or Kathleen Curameng at (202) 418-2791, kathleen.curameng@fcc.gov of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Mobility Division.
By the Chief, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

- FCC - 

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