FCC License required for MMSI number

[dlochner]

For recreational boaters, DSC has 2 important advantages.

In an emergency situation, where you are sinking or having a medical emergency, the panic button on the VHF will broadcast to all stations an alert and the shore side (USCG) stations will receive the information that is associated with the boat's MMSI.

While I have not had the experience, I've heard stories that freighters and other commercial vessels do not always respond to generic calls, however, they do respond to direct calls on DSC or when hailed by vessel name.

A third advantage, albeit not as important is the ability to have a group of MMSI numbers. With the group feature it is possible to hail multiple boats at once. This could be handy when a group of boats are traveling together, one hail, everyone is notified.

 

[Gunni]

Yes, that is the theory, but you have to take it on faith that other radio operators are proficient with the wonky DSC technology, and you, the operator is proficient with receiving a call from the CG. And that your radio is actually broadcasting. With the advent of USCG Rescue 21 the technology is redundant, the CG already knows where you are broadcasting from. If I were losing my boat I would go with the first-order solution - EPIRB/PLB, anything else and I am hailing all ships and starting a conversation about the nature of my emergency.

 

[Charlie98117]

Lots of info here, thanks for educating me with the conversation.

I have to say I'm impressed with the FCC, I applied online for the license yesterday afternoon and it was in my email when I woke up this morning. I guess I still the Operators license though. I received a Radio Station Authorization Form 605-S which gave me a call sign and the MMSI number I needed.

 

[Skipper]

If someone said this, sorry for repeat.
The ships radio license re foreign ports is not regarding DSC radios. It's any radio. You can get your Boat-US issued MMSI number by answering "No" to the foreign ports question.
Then, at a later date you can obtain your ships etc licenses from the FCC.
However, for only Canada travel, I would investigate if anyone really cares about it. I seriously doubt there has ever been an American recreational sailor cited for no ships license for a VHF in Canada. Or even asked to show one. Inquire with the Canadian port authorities via phone, and maybe check with old salts in your harbor, etc.
If they say get licensed then so be it. But again you can get the licenses separately from your MMSI. That is, there's no law says you can't change your mind

 

[Charlie98117]

If someone said this, sorry for repeat.
The ships radio license re foreign ports is not regarding DSC radios. It's any radio. You can get your Boat-US issued MMSI number by answering "No" to the foreign ports question.
Then, at a later date you can obtain your ships etc licenses from the FCC.

I sort of recall one thing I noticed during the application process that would be an issue with this approach. I think there was a note saying the application would invalidate any previously obtained MMSI number for the vessel. Changing the MMSI number (at least on the radio I have) requires returning to the factory that would be a hassle.

I think this is probably not the sort of thing you get cited for but as has been said, I'd rather not give them anything to question in the first place.

 

[Skipper]

I sort of recall one thing I noticed during the application process that would be an issue with this approach. I think there was a note saying the application would invalidate any previously obtained MMSI number for the vessel. Changing the MMSI number (at least on the radio I have) requires returning to the factory that would be a hassle.

I think this is probably not the sort of thing you get cited for but as has been said, I'd rather not give them anything to question in the first place.

You wouldn't go through boat us to get the licenses. It's through the FCC. You won't get a new MMSI, you would submit the current MMSI to the FCC.
--If getting ships licenses required changing current MMSI's, nobody would sign up

 

[Gunni]

When I tried to change from a BoatUS MMSI to an FCC issued MMSI they were going to issue an entire new MMSI. So yeah, I did not sign up. Went to the boat and clipped the wire from my GPS to the DSC radio. Put electrical tape over the DSC button.

 

[dlochner]

You wouldn't go through boat us to get the licenses. It's through the FCC. You won't get a new MMSI, you would submit the current MMSI to the FCC.
--If getting ships licenses required changing current MMSI's, nobody would sign up

Actually, it is necessary to deactivate the BoatUS MMSI if you get an FCC MMSI. The MMSI numbers are different, if I recall correctly the first digit(s) of a BoatUS MMSI are unique and not recognized by receivers in other countries.

For the vast majority of boaters in the US, the BoatUS MMSIs are more than adequate as the boater will never head to Canada, Mexico, or the Carribbean. Both the US and Canada do not require their citizens to have vhf licenses if they are sailing in their own waters.

 

[Skipper]

When I tried to change from a BoatUS MMSI to an FCC issued MMSI they were going to issue an entire new MMSI. So yeah, I did not sign up. Went to the boat and clipped the wire from my GPS to the DSC radio. Put electrical tape over the DSC button.

You don't change to an FCC MMSI, you just get the licenses from them.
I have the licenses, obtained 2014, and didn't change the MMSI.
The FCC-issued MMSI only differs in that it is added to an international search and rescue database, whereas the boat us MMSI is only added to a USCG SAR database.
This might carry over to a SAR debate, but I use satellite PLB anyway, and DSC distress would still work in foreign waters re location coordinates.

 

[Skipper]

Actually, it is necessary to deactivate the BoatUS MMSI if you get an FCC MMSI

Yes, if you get. My point is that you don't need to get. -post above.
Edit: the OP had originally asked if he needed the licenses, was concerned about immediate and future costs, and if he would be able to use DSC in Canada. Based on subsequent discussion, he has decided to get the licenses, and obtain them immediately. Therefore, it is logical now to get an FCC-issued MMSI. Problem solved :-D

 

[Gunni]

Skipper;
This directive from the FCC seems pretty clear, they issue a whole new MMSI, what a mess:
If your vessel requires licensing by the FCC after you have obtained an MMSI number from BoatUS, Sea Tow Service, Shine Micro, Inc., or United States Power Squadrons, that MMSI number cannot be used during the application/licensing process when you file FCC Forms 159 and 605 with the FCC. MMSI numbers issued by other authorized entities are valid only for ship stations that do not have FCC-issued licenses. Since the ULS will not accept the MMSI that was issued by another entity, you should not enter anything on FCC Form 605, Schedule B. Leave the field blank and the FCC will issue you a new MMSI number.

 

[sesmith]

Canada requires you to have an ROC to operate a vhf radio. I have never found any Canadian documentation requiring an FCC station license for US visitors:

https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-quick-quick_visitor-1610.htm#7

Strangely, it's the US that requires you to have an FCC license to operate a VHF internationally (Canada also has similar requirements for their citizens who cruise internationally). I do have an ROC certificate, but never got a station license for our yearly trips up into Canadian waters. FWIW, we have never been asked for proof of a station license on reentry to the US. That said, if you intend to get an MMSI #, it makes a lot of sense to get the station license and # from the FCC, for the reasons posted above, as the boat US issued # wouldn't be useful internationally. I may actually go that route myself this year, as I will be replacing our radio this winter, and it would be nice to have the dsc features working on the new radio.

 

[Skipper]

Skipper;
This directive from the FCC seems pretty clear, they issue a whole new MMSI, what a mess:
If your vessel requires licensing by the FCC after you have obtained an MMSI number from BoatUS, Sea Tow Service, Shine Micro, Inc., or United States Power Squadrons, that MMSI number cannot be used during the application/licensing process when you file FCC Forms 159 and 605 with the FCC. MMSI numbers issued by other authorized entities are valid only for ship stations that do not have FCC-issued licenses. Since the ULS will not accept the MMSI that was issued by another entity, you should not enter anything on FCC Form 605, Schedule B. Leave the field blank and the FCC will issue you a new MMSI number.

Ok everything I said about later licensing changing MMSI was wrong. :-|
Sorry. I had studied this in depth when I licensed, and still missed it.
I just checked my license and sure enough there is a different MMSI on there than the Boat US number I had programmed into the radio.
Oh well, if I ever go to Mexico or Tahiti I'll worry about it then. But who is going to know anyway.
So we all learned here. I love it!

 

[Gunni]

Arrrrrgh! Youse a gnarly radio pirate now matey!

 

[dziedzicmj]

I seriously doubt there has ever been an American recreational sailor cited for no ships license for a VHF in Canada.

I cannot speak about that, but there were incidents where the opposite was true (a Canadian sailor was cited by the US CG).

Edit: Sorry, not for ship's licence (or lack thereof), but for the lack of the ROC.

 

[jssailem]

Gunni is correct. The FCC issues a new MMSI. Then you remove your radio with the US Boat MMSI and send it back to the manufacture to get them to reset the MMSI.
Or just go to the FCC and get your MMSI.
If you are never going to cross over the US Border with your boat, like many boat owners in the US, then US Boat is your ticket.

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi]

Are you saying that if you go beyond territorial US waters (like in the Gulf of Mexico) and operate a VHF radio that it is against international law unless you have a radio license for the boat?

 

[dlochner]

Are you saying that if you go beyond territorial US waters (like in the Gulf of Mexico) and operate a VHF radio that it is against international law unless you have a radio license for the boat?

More or less, yes. It is a bit more nuanced than that. Check the FCC website.

You will need to have a Ship's Station license and at least one person on board will need a Restricted Radio Operator's license.

It is a matter of international treaties and law governing the use of airwaves.

 

[Charlie98117]

The rules were changed a while back and you just need the Ship Station license. Form 605 issues a MMSI number and covers the boat for international radio operation under your name.

 

[dlochner]

Always good to go the horse's mouth so to speak to answer these kind of questions.

Earllier I mentioned that to operate in international waters you would need Ship's Station License, but there were a few nuances. If you travel in international waters from one US port to another, you do not need a Ship's Station License. However, if you travel in international waters and make contact with a foreign country, then you do need a license. See: FCC: Wireless Services: Ship Radio Stations: Licensing

The FCC defines when a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is not required, if your use is not specified, then a RRO is required. See: Commercial Radio Operator License Program: Types of Licenses: Restricted Radiotelephone