Spacer's Information
Spacer's Information
Every spacer is required to carry certain data documents at all times. These are most often kept on a secure datapad issued by the Bureau of Ships and Services (BoSS) at the time of ship registry and captain's accreditation.
Port officials—or anyone inspecting a ship in person—may request these datapads for inspection. They can read the information and verify it through their own computer systems.
Ship's Operating License
Every starship must have an operating license detailing the ship's: • specifications • port of origin • manufacturer • registration code with the Bureau of Ships and Services (BoSS)
The license also identifies the current owner and includes a sample of the ship's transponder codes.
Transponder codes are the fingerprints of starships. If a transponder code doesn't match the datafile information for a starship registry number, it's a sure sign of illegal operation (and in most cases, a bad license forgery or data implantation on the part of the starship owner).
Cost and requirements: • Cost: 1,000 credits • Requirements: background check, brief ship inspection, and transponder code verification reading
Captain's Accredited License
Every starship captain is required to have a license to pilot the particular starship class they're flying. Some licenses cover several kinds of starships, depending on the captain's training and experience.
Obtaining a captain's license requires: • several oral, written, and flight tests • verifiable documented time in space • an extensive background check • a 300 credit fee
However, BoSS often overlooks the flight time and most of the testing for a 200 credit "expediter fee", bringing the total for a pilot's license to 500 credits.
Arms Load-Out Permit
Non-military starships with weapons or unusually high shield ratings require an arms load-out permit, acknowledging that the additional weapons and shields are authorized by the Bureau of Ships and Services.
These permits are issued quite often—and easily—in regions past the Colonies, where piracy and attacks are more common.
Ships with weapons emplacements or boosted shields without one of these permits can be impounded on the grounds that the vessel is in service to a pirate group or the Rebel Alliance.
Because boosted arms and shields are part of a starship's specification profile, BoSS assumes authority for tracking augmented ordnance and tags the permit onto the ship's operating license.
Permit rules: • Each weapon or boosted shield system aboard a ship requires a separate permit. • Existing weapons that are upgraded in power require new, upgraded permits.
Cost and requirements: • brief inspection • verification of starship and captain's licenses • background check • minimum fee: 250 credits (fee varies depending on shielding and weapons carried)
Source: REUP:128