How and where to get my MMSI before the boat gets USCG documented

[geoffschultz]

I had a post about re-flagging a vessel and how that affects the MMSI. That got me thinking about how/where to get the initial MMSI. The boat is being built in South Africa, and this fall, we'll sail it back to the US. We'll have some kind of in-transit documentation that gets us through to the US. When we hit the US, it will get USCG registered.

So, that begs the question, when/where do I get an MMSI from? I want to be running AIS.

 

[Sailfanatic]

https://www.boatus.com/mmsi/mmsi/obtainmmsi#

!

 

[dlochner]

Since you will be transiting internationally, a BoatUS type MMSI will not work, it is for US domestic waters.

You can apply for USCG Documentation any time after the keel is laid. Once you apply you will get a US Documentation number, but the boat will not be documented until all the paperwork is done. Check with the USCG Documentation Center.

The boat will need a Ship's station license from the FCC. It is good for 10 years. You can apply online and it takes just a few hours for it to be processed. This will give you a license for the VHF, AIS, and Radar. You will get a ships call sign and an MMSI if you request it. The license will be delivered as a pdf file.

Edit: When you decide to to reflag the boat, it will be necessary to surrender the ship's license and MMSI number as well cancel the US CG documentation. The records for the documentation will not be destroyed. On an expensive vessel I'd want to make sure there is a traceable documentation record even as the boat changes flags. The documentation serves not only as a vessel registration, but also as record of ownership which might be essential when the boat is eventually sold.

 

[jssailem]

You can get a MMSI number in a couple of ways.

• FCC radio registration
  • Maritime Mobile Service Identities - MMSI
• DOMESTIC Sources
  • BoatUS
    https://www.boatus.com/
  • United States Power Squadrons, Inc
    index
  • Shine Micro
    https://www.shinemicro.com

Domestic MMSI numbers are not usable internationally.

BoatUS can provide a boat owner with a MMSI number. Here is what the BoatUS site states:

BoatUS has been authorized by both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Coast Guard to assign MMSI numbers to vessels with DSC capable radios that are not required by law to carry a radio, and do not make international voyages or communications. BoatUS is responsible for relaying the MMSI registration information to the U.S. Coast Guard for search and rescue purposes.​

The bold text is essential. The design of the BoatUS authorization by the Federal Communications Commission FCC is to facilitate US boaters to register their boat into the BoatUS database so that the USCG is not bogged down with the process of non-regulated boats. The data transfer from BoatUS to the USCG must occur so the USCG can recognize your MMSI and gain pertinent data in an emergency. Because the FCC does not regulate the BoatUS data, it is not covered under international treaties. If you are sailing within the USA waters, the BoatUS MMSI is fine. You should acquire your MMSI from the FCC if you are sailing into foreign waters.

MMSI from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Maritime Mobile Service Identities (MMSIs) are nine-digit numbers used by maritime digital selective calling (DSC), automatic identification systems (AIS) and certain other equipment to uniquely identify a ship or a coast radio station. MMSIs are regulated and managed internationally by the International Telecommunications Union in Geneva, Switzerland, just as radio call signs are regulated.​

The FCC is the governmental agency authorized by the US Government to act as the US member of the International Telecommunications Union. As such, a radio MMSI established through the FCC becomes internationally regulated under the treaty for MMSI usage.

To get your MMSI registration from the FCC, click here.

 

[geoffschultz]

Dave, thanks for the clear, concise answer. It actually answered more questions than I asked!