Sec. 3.1  Scope, basis, purpose.

    By these rules the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is 
delineating its responsibilities in certifying and monitoring accounting 
authorities in the maritime mobile and maritime mobile-satellite radio 
services. These entities settle accounts for public correspondence due 
to foreign administrations for messages transmitted at sea by or between 
maritime mobile stations located on board ships subject to U.S. registry 
and utilizing foreign coast and coast earth station facilities. These 
rules are intended to ensure that settlements of accounts for U.S. 
licensed ship radio stations are conducted in accordance with the 
International Telecommunication Regulations (ITR), taking into account 
the applicable ITU-T Recommendations.