47 U.S.C. § 382
Vessels excepted from radiotelephone requirement
The provisions of this part shall not apply to—
(1)
vessels which are equipped with a radio installation in accordance with the provisions of part II of this subchapter, or in accordance with the radio requirements of the Safety Convention; and
(2)
vessels of the United States belonging to and operated by the Government, and
(3)
vessels navigating on the Great Lakes.
( June 19, 1934, ch. 652 , title III, § 382, as added Aug. 6, 1956, ch. 973, § 1 , 70 Stat. 1048 ; amended Pub. L. 103–414, title III, § 303(a)(20)(B) , Oct. 25, 1994 , 108 Stat. 4295 ; Pub. L. 104–104, title IV, § 403(h)(2) , Feb. 8, 1996 , 110 Stat. 131 .)