Federal Communications Commission
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of )
)
James Ratshin )             File No. EB-FIELDNER-13-00010860
Vessel Stella Maris )
Seaside Park, New Jersey ) NOV No. V201332400047
)
NOTICE OF VIOLATION
Released:  September 16, 2013
By the District Director, Philadelphia Office, Northeast Region, Enforcement Bureau:
1. This is a Notice of Violation (Notice) issued pursuant to Section 1.89 of the 
Commission’s rules (Rules),
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to James Ratshin, owner of an Emergency Position Indicating Radio 
Beacon (EPIRB) used on the vessel “Stella Maris,” NJ1965HB, in Seaside Park, New Jersey. Pursuant to 
Section 1.89(a) of the Rules, issuance of this Notice does not preclude the Enforcement Bureau from 
further action if warranted, including issuing a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture for the 
violations noted herein.
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2. On August 25, 2013, the Enforcement Bureau’s Philadelphia Office received a complaint 
from the U. S. Coast Guard’s Norfolk Rescue Coordination Center concerning interference to the safety 
and distress frequency of 406.0278 MHz.  Using radio direction finding techniques, agents from the 
Philadelphia Office traced the interfering signal to the EPIRB on the Stella Maris, located at Seaside Park
Marina, and observed the following violations:
a. 47 C.F.R. § 80.89(a): “Stations must not engage in superfluous 
radiocommunication.”  Transmissions by EPIRBs are intended to be actuated 
manually or automatically as part of a ship or a survival craft station as a locating aid 
for survival purposes.  At the time of the inspection, the Stella Maris’s EPIRB had 
been activated in the absence of any emergency situation.
b. 47 C.F.R. § 80.1061(f): “To enhance protection of life and property it is mandatory 
that each 406.0-406.1 MHz EPIRB be registered with NOAA before installation and
that information be kept up-to-date.…” At the time of the inspection, the Stella 
                                                          
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47 C.F.R. § 1.89.
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47 C.F.R. § 1.89(a).
Federal Communications Commission
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Maris’s EPIRB was installed but had not been registered with NOAA. 
3. Pursuant to Section 308(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
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and 
Section 1.89 of the Rules, we seek additional information concerning the violations and any remedial 
actions taken. Therefore, James Ratshin must submit a written statement concerning this matter within 
twenty (20) days of release of this Notice.  The response (i) must fully explain each violation, including 
all relevant surrounding facts and circumstances, (ii) must contain a statement of the specific actions
taken to correct each violation and preclude recurrence, and (iii) must include a time line for completion 
of any pending corrective actions.  The response must be complete in itself and must not be abbreviated 
by reference to other communications or answers to other notices.
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4. In accordance with Section 1.16 of the Rules, we direct James Ratshin to support his
response to this Notice with an affidavit or declaration under penalty of perjury, signed and dated by 
James Ratshin, verifying the truth and accuracy of the information therein,
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and confirming that all of the 
information requested by this Notice which is in the licensee’s possession, custody, control, or knowledge 
has been produced.  To knowingly and willfully make any false statement or conceal any material fact in 
reply to this Notice is punishable by fine or imprisonment under Title 18 of the U.S. Code.
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5. All replies and documentation sent in response to this Notice should be marked with the 
File No. and NOV No. specified above, and mailed to the following address:
Federal Communications Commission
Philadelphia Office
One Oxford Valley Building, Suite 404
2300 East Lincoln Highway
Langhorne, Pennsylvania 19047
6. This Notice shall be sent to James Ratshin at his address of record.  
                                                          
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47 U.S.C. § 308(b).
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47 C.F.R. § 1.89(c).
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Section 1.16 of the Commission’s Rules provides that “[a]ny document to be filed with the Federal 
Communications Commission and which is required by any law, rule or other regulation of the United States to be 
supported, evidenced, established or proved by a written sworn declaration, verification, certificate, statement, oath 
or affidavit by the person making the same, may be supported, evidenced, established or proved by the unsworn 
declaration, certification, verification, or statement in writing of such person . . . . Such declaration shall be 
subscribed by the declarant as true under penalty of perjury, and dated, in substantially the following form . . . : ‘I 
declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on 
(date). (Signature)’.”  47 C.F.R. § 1.16.
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18 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq. See also 47 C.F.R. § 1.17.
Federal Communications Commission
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7. The Privacy Act of 1974
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requires that we advise you that the Commission will use all 
relevant material information before it, including any information disclosed in your reply, to determine 
what, if any, enforcement action is required to ensure compliance.  
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
David C. Dombrowski
District Director
Philadelphia Office
Northeast Region
Enforcement Bureau
                                                          
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P.L. 93-579, 5 U.S.C. § 552a(e)(3).