How to Look Up a Ship's FCC License and Call Sign

Commercial vessels, charter boats, and many private vessels that have obtained FCC Ship Station Licenses have public records in the FCC Universal Licensing System. Looking up a vessel's license can confirm that its radio equipment is properly authorized, identify the vessel's MMSI number, and reveal ownership information.

What a Ship Station License Record Contains

An FCC Ship Station License record includes:

• Vessel call sign (the vessel's radio identifier, distinct from the ship's name)
• Licensee name (the owner or operating company)
• License status (Active, Expired, Cancelled)
• Grant date and expiration date
• Radio service code (MA for Maritime Mobile)
• MMSI number (when assigned through the FCC)
• Vessel description and registration information

How to Search by Vessel Name

To find a vessel's FCC license by vessel name, search the FCC ULS Entity search by the vessel's registered name. Vessel names are stored as the licensee's "name" field for ship stations. You can also search by the vessel call sign directly if you know it.

How to Search by Call Sign

Maritime station call signs follow different formats than amateur radio call signs. US ship station call signs typically consist of letters and numbers in formats defined by the ITU. Searching by call sign on the FCC ULS License Search page with radio service MA (Maritime Mobile) selected returns maritime-specific results.

Why This Data Matters

Maritime law enforcement, port authorities, and Coast Guard use FCC license records to verify that vessels carry proper radio authorization. Vessel buyers also check FCC records during due diligence — an expired or improperly licensed ship station is a compliance issue that should be resolved before offshore or international operation. Researchers studying maritime traffic and commercial vessel operations also use FCC data as part of broader vessel analysis.