BoSS - Spacer Documentation Services

Spacers get most of their flight documents from BoSS offices around the galaxy, registering their ships, heavy weapons, and their flight abilities with BoSS databanks. BoSS also matches ship registrations with starship transponder codes and collates all this information for use in the enforcement of spacefaring regulations. BoSS keeps track of these documents as well, noting the transfer of spacecraft between owners as well as any violations against certain captains or starships from various ports. It is also rumored that BoSS keeps a record of certain captains wanted by Imperial, New Republic, and bounty-hunting agencies.

The Bureau of Ships and Services is perhaps the strangest institution in the galaxy. It doesn't make sense and it doesn't pretend to make sense. It basically does a lot of filing and record-keeping that the Empire and New Republic simply don't want to be bothered with.

Spacer Documentation

As a spacer, you're required to carry certain documents aboard your ship at all times. These are most often kept on a secure datapad issued by BoSS at the time of ship registry and captain's accreditation. A custom format input plug available only at BoSS offices is the only way of downloading new certifications and permits or altering information already on the datapad.

BoSS subscribers (those sector and planetary governments, starports, customs forces and major law enforcement agencies that pay subscription fees) can read the information and verify it on their computers. A separate plug allows the datapad to download information to a starship's computer for transmission to port and naval authorities monitoring traffic from other ships or installations. Most busy starports require this form of identification, since starport personnel can't possibly board every ship passing through to personally inspect data documents.

Here's a list of some of the required documentation you'll want to carry aboard your ship at all times. All three documents are available from the Bureau of Ships and Services only, and have various requirements that must be fulfilled before they're issued.

Ship's Operating License

Every starship must have an operating license detailing the ship's specifications, port of origin, manufacturer and registration code with the Bureau of Ships and Services (BoSS). The license also identifies the current owner and transponder codes. Transponder codes are the fingerprints of starships -- if a transponder code doesn't match up with datafile information for a starship registry number, it's a sure sign of illegal operation. Operating licenses are available for 1,000 credits and require a background check on the owner, a brief inspection of the ship, and a transponder code verification reading.

Sample SOL Number LC02-133BAY-TR02 (Transport, YT-1300 Light Freighter, "Last Chance")

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, as well as 10 years of documented time in space, an extensive background check, and 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.

Sample CAL Number: DJS-31871-ER93AU

Arms Load-Out Permit

Non-military starships with weapons or unusually high shield ratings require an arms load-out permit acknowledging that the additional weapon and shields are authorized by the Bureau of Ships and Services. These permits are issued quite often and easily in the regions past the Colonies, as piracy and other attacks are much more common. Ships with weapon emplacements or boosted shields without one of these permits can be impounded on the grounds that it is a vessel in the service of a pirate group. Because boosted arms and shields are part of a starship's spec profile, BoSS assumes authority in keeping track of augmented ordnance and tags the permit onto the ship's operating license. Each weapon or boosted shield system aboard a ship requires a separate permit. An arms load-out permit requires a brief inspection, verification of starship and captain's licenses, a background check, and a minimum 250 credit fee (the fee depends on the specific shielding and weapons to be carried). Existing weapons that are upgraded in power require new, upgraded permits.

Permit Datapad

Spacers store their official documentation on secure datapads issued by the Bureau of Ships and Services (BoSS) at the time of ship registry and captain's accreditation. A customized format input plug available only at BoSS and Imperial Space Ministry offices is the only legal way of downloading new certifications and permits, or altering information already on the datapad. A separate interface plug allows your ship's computer (or other data storage devices) to download information from the datapad. It's a "read only" port, so you can't alter the information on the pad. Cost: 150 credits.

Freighter cockpits often have special pocket slots for permit datapads, so proper documentation is handy for reference by the crew or customs inspection teams. Smugglers who are boarded often just download this information into their computer for reference, and keep the datapad in a file folder conveniently located near the main entry hatch.