Dr. Bob's information is correct. Perhaps I did not express myself clearly; it would not be the first time.
The Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RR) is the lowest grade of commercial license, and is valid for a period of ten years.
The next grade up from the RR is the Marine Radio Operator Permit (MP), which is good for life. So is the General Radiotelephone Operator License (PG) which is the next grade up from the MP.
The PG is a superset of the MP, which is in its turn a superset of the RR.
Per the FCC, one must pass a written examination on the material in Element 1 in order to obtain the MP. The written examination has 24 questions, with a minimum passing score of 18 questions answered correctly.
To obtain the PG, one must pass written examination elements 1 and 3. The Element 3 examination has 76 questions and has a minimum passing score of 57.
To obtain the PG radar endorsement requires one to also pass written examination element 8.
The amateur radio service Technician license covers the VHF band and above (greater than 50 MHz) for frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service. It does not allow one to legally transmit on maritime frequencies, nor indeed on any frequencies not assigned to the amateur radio service.
The RR, MP, and PG licenses do not allow one to legally transmit on frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service.
The Icom 802 is an over the horizon (MF/HF frequencies) radio that has the ability to transmit and receive on both maritime and amateur radio assigned MF/HF frequencies.
In order to legally transmit on amateur radio frequencies (except in a bona fide emergency), one must hold an amateur radio service license with privileges that allow one to transmit on those frequencies. Practically speaking nowadays, that means holding a General or Extra class license in order to transmit on MF/HF amateur radio frequencies.
There are still amateur radio service legacy license classes that are valid, such as the Advanced class and the Technician with Morse Code class (Technician Plus), but those license classes are no longer being issued.
In order to legally transmit on maritime frequencies outside of U.S. territorial waters (again, except in a bona fide emergency), one must hold a commercial license (RR, MP, or PG) appropriate to the level required by the FCC for the equipment being used and the gross tonnage of the ship upon which it is used.
Thus, if you want to legally use the Icom 802 or a similar radio to its fullest potential anywhere you go in the world, it helps to hold both amateur and commercial radio licenses.
Best regards,
