Report No. GN-155             GENERAL ACTION                   
May 3, 1994


      JOSEPH SAWCHUCK DENIED CANCELLATION OR REDUCTION OF
FORFEITURE
                 FOR FAILING TO HAVE REQUIRED FIRST CLASS 
                   RADIOTELEGRAPH OPERATOR'S CERTIFICATE

     The FCC has upheld an action by the Field Operations Bureau
and denied Joseph Sawchuck, IV,'s request for cancellation or
reduction of a forfeiture issued in the amount of $5,000 for
serving as the sole radio officer aboard a vessel in violation of
the Communications Act.  The Act requires two radio officers on
board unless the radio officer has received a six month service
endorsement to his First-Class Radiotelegraph Operator's
Certificate.

     Sawchuck served as sole radio officer aboard the vessel
PATRIOT without a required Six Months Service Endorsement. 
Seeking
review of the Bureau's assessment, Sawchuck argued that the
Bureau
had failed to adequately consider and apply the proper standard
and
downward adjustment criteria set forth in the Commission's Policy
Statement, Standards for Assessing Forfeitures.

     Denying review, the Commission stated that Sawchuck had
failed
to show that the Bureau erred in its findings of fact, or
misapplied the law and its policy to the facts.  The Commission
said that all relevant facts were considered by the Bureau in
reaching its finding of liability for monetary forfeiture.  Also,
the Commission found that the Bureau applied the correct standard
in determining Sawchuck's liability for forfeiture under the
Commission's Policy Statement, and all facts and circumstances
applicable to each of the criteria set out in the Policy
Statement.

     Action by the Commission April 12, 1994, by Memorandum
Opinion
and Order (FCC 94-87).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello and
Barrett.

                                   -FCC-

     News Media contact: Patricia A. Chew at (202) 632-5050.
     Field Operations Bureau contact: Ana J. Curtis at (202) 632-
7059.