That is what makes the FRS radios great for regatta work.

Very few people know that the VHF radios, frequencies and their use are tightly regulated by the FCC.
A vhf radio, handheld or base station, requires a license and has specific uses for certain channels.

The Family Radio Service(FRS)is one of the original Citizens Band Radio Services.
It requires no license.
If "you are not a representative of a foreign government" then you are allowed to operate an FRS radio.
A FRS unit is allowed to communicate with a GMRS unit.

The General Mobile Radio Service(GMRS) units are often look identical to, and are sold off the same rack as the FRS units.
The GMRS units do require a license.
There are usage limitations to the GMRS channels.