MMSI confusion. (So what else is new)?

[Chris Patterson]

The big question: No MMSI outside of US waters? I finally broke down from the worrying wife badgering me to get an MMSI # after explaining what the 'Distress' button on the radio does. Or should say, what it WOULD do if I programed the number in, which at this point have not even done. So with more reluctance than you can imagine, being Orwellian by nature, OK fine. I have never needed such a thing, but getting one now seems the path of least resistance. I finally think I figured out that they do not care about my FCC ametuer license, only a shore station whatever that is, and carried on.

But wait! As I get started through the application, it even went so far as to say, "Proceed at your own risk" doing this, as it is more or less useless outside. But what if I DID decide to wander to the islands or whatever, shoot I might. It ain't nuthin for me to wander the globe, so is there some 'special' MMSI number I need? Is it all fluff and chatter? Will Krispy Kreme ever make another caked doughnut again? Or should I just ignore the dratted thing like I have forever?

And too, is this the eight track player of tomorrow? It seems AIS serves about the same function, but again, I really have no idea.

Anybody got any thoughts on this?

Proceed at your own risk though.. ?

 

[tommays]

The number is FREE and it is simple to get make and account through BOAT_US for one example which holds all the info about your boat and normal navigation area

I do believe if your outside the USA it is more complex but then again they make everything about boating more complex


On my handheld radio there is the simple red button as well and if you have a bit more time you can also broadcast the nature of your emergency ,FIRE , MOB and so on all without the need to explain things during a stressful time

 

[Merlin Clark]

There's always EPIRB.

 

[Delezynski]

Chris,

It's my understanding that the BoatUS MMSI number is free, but ONLY good inside US waters.

IF, you have an FCC Ships station license, (A few $$$), you have an MMSI number, just look at the ticket and you can fin it some place on it. THAT number IS good globally.

As we do go foreign, and needed the ticket for our VHF, I went ahead and added our EPIRB, radar and any other stuff I could check mark.

Greg

 

[justsomeguy]

Chris,

It's my understanding that the BoatUS MMSI number is free, but ONLY good inside US waters.

IF, you have an FCC Ships station license, (A few $$$), you have an MMSI number, just look at the ticket and you can fin it some place on it. THAT number IS good globally.

As we do go foreign, and needed the ticket for our VHF, I went ahead and added our EPIRB, radar and any other stuff I could check mark.

Greg

Yah, go the international route for your MMSI number.

 

[Erieau]

Chris,

Simply turning on a cellular telephone transmits more about you and your location than an MMSI-programmed VHF radio ever will.
The only time your radio will transmit your MMSI and position will be if you tell it to (by pressing the Distress button or sending a DSC call to your pals).
Your DSC distress call can be received and decoded worldwide (by EPIRB), within 100 NM of shore (by MF), or within 5 miles of shore (by VHF). The GMDSS is an international arrangement, of which your DSC-equipped VHF radio is but one part (albeit the one part that most of us are likely to interface with).
So, is your MMSI only "good" in US waters? Of course not.
Is the whole system Orwellian? No more so than the 911 system.
Your FCC station licence is a whole other matter, unrelated to the GMDSS (other than the fact that, if you have a station licence, your MMSI is noted on it).

Consider contacting your local Power Squadron for the seminar on GMDSS and a DSC endorsement on your radio certificate (if your jurisdiction requires one).

I'm happy to address any other questions you have.

Joe
CPS Registered Instructor
PCOC, BE, VHF-DSC, EN

 

[Mark Maulden]

I'm also starting this process. I'm understanding that if you go outside the US, then you need an MMSI number from the FCC. Not Boat US... And to get that number, you have to get a station license. ($150). The FCC website sucks. I sent in an email asking for specific directions on how to navigate their website and what to do to get this license/number. I have a reply with some verbage but have yet to try it. Planned to do so over the holidays. Also, if you apply for the license be sure check the box for an MMSI number. If you don't, I don't think you'll get one....Good Luck...

 

[capta]

I also have been unable to successfully navigate the FCC site to get an international MMSI number. Literally, more than an hour, looking for a way to get it done online, which the site constantly directs one toward, but no link. Perhaps the fact that we're trying to access it from outside the US is a problem, but that wouldn't make much sense, as mail from here is unreliable and slow.
If anybody does manage to figure it out PLEASE post the procedure or even PM us. Thanks.

 

[gpd955]

The FCC website sucks.

Just went through it and it took a while to navigate the site (and decipher some of the license terminology) but once I figure it out, it was OK. I believe they are up to $160 now. I tried checking but half of the fcc site is down for some reason.

 

[windward54]

The FCC site is currently down for maintenance but should be back up by Monday. Although it can be a little confusing, if you read carefully, it can be navigated and done. Just remember you need to get an FCC registration number (FRN) first.

 

[Paul Mermelstein]

One additional thing: Your MMSI number is also used in your boat's AIS. Same number must be programmed in.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Just out of curiosity here, but IF I got the BoatUS MMSI#, which by now is starting to sound like it may well work ok in the ditch maybe, but in the event the boat travels internationally, would a DIFFERENT MMSI number have to be obtained?

The thing that got me though, was on the boatUS #, it stated, "Proceed at your own risk". Now most of us start EVERY day at our own risk, that's subjective. But it made it sound to me like, "Whoo buddy, I sure hope you know what you're doing here".
Is this the same analogy as selling a life raft that one model will work on the high seas, fine. However, with 'our' model, your chances of swimming away from the boat will net you better results.
I mean it's a matter of course to waste time and money for me it seems, but I don't want to get 'stuck' with some cheezy number that only works in the marina, and can't get rid of it for the 'good' one. Zat make sense?

 

[Erieau]

"Proceed at your own risk."

Many radio manufacturers recommend a technician program your radio with an MMSI because the EPROM that stores your number can usually only be programmed twice. Some models can be reset by a service centre so you can get another two tries.
DIYer? Can't justify the time and expense of a factory-trained tech to program a silly 16-digit number? Me either. But "proceed at your own risk," because if you butter-finger it twice in a row, you might be out of luck.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Aaahaaa. Yepper, as a licensed amatuer, I truly would feel pretty silly getting a 'technician' to program the radio, when in fact by definition that is after all, me..

And another thing, thanks so much all of you. I continually say to people, if you want some expert advice, it is without a doubt on here.

(I ain't done yet)..

 

[capta]

But the question remains; is it the same number, with a different place to register it?

 

[windward54]

But the question remains; is it the same number, with a different place to register it?

If you are asking if an AIS needs a MMSI number from the FCC or Boat/US, the number must be issued by the FCC. When you buy your transponder, the MMSI number must be programmed by seller of the unit, and a copy of the boat radio license with the FCC-issued license must be provided as proof. The seller of the unit then registers your AIS transponder in the database.

Makes sense, as if a vessel sees your MMSI number, they would have no way to look it up in the database, and if you decide to go to a foreign country, you wouldn't be able to reprogram the transponder.

 

[capta]

If you are asking if an AIS needs a MMSI number from the FCC or Boat/US, the number must be issued by the FCC. When you buy your transponder, the MMSI number must be programmed by seller of the unit, and a copy of the boat radio license with the FCC-issued license must be provided as proof. The seller of the unit then registers your AIS transponder in the database.

Makes sense, as if a vessel sees your MMSI number, they would have no way to look it up in the database, and if you decide to go to a foreign country, you wouldn't be able to reprogram the transponder.

I'm sorry, I guess I didn't make that question clear at all.
Is the US mmsi # the same as the international one (or just a different registration base) or must a new number be programmed in (if I ever figure out how to get the international registry). I don't have any interest in AIS, so the question is about the VHF #.

 

[windward54]

I'm sorry, I guess I didn't make that question clear at all.
Is the US mmsi # the same as the international one (or just a different registration base) or must a new number be programmed in (if I ever figure out how to get the international registry). I don't have any interest in AIS, so the question is about the VHF #.

Oh! Sorry about that.

The two numbers are in different databases. The number issued by the FCC is the number you need for international purposes. The Boat/US number is strictly for US waters, for boats with no radio license.

Most VHF radios have the ability to be programmed only twice without being reset. So if you change number, be careful!

 

[Chris Patterson]

Mmmhmm. That's another reason I hesitated to pursue it as well. Sounds like Cap, myself, and a few others are in the 'same boat', as what I consider to be the planned obsolescence by the manufacturer of the radio, (Thanks Standard Horizon), so a man gets a couple of shots at it, then it's basically radio overboard. I can not help but believe that if you sent your radio to them to reshock the eeprom or whatever, the cost would be prohibitive next to replacing the unit. Am I about right with that opinion? It's a shame my Yaesu doesn't support such archaic and proprietary functions, because my Yaesu will blow the covers off of these standards. I know, I know, out of band with the 2 meter, and I don't use it for marine. But two chances? Hell, the federal gov. will give a vicious criminal three times before he's 'done for'.
Anyway, sorry folks, I think I'm just getting a little discouraged..

 

[windward54]

The VHF radios can be reset, but it requires a trip to a service center. The cost is not that bad. Last time I checked, it was around $25. So it is not that bad.

BTW, Standard Horizon is owned by Yaesu. But you have to remember, marine radios must be certified by the FCC and ham radios do not. So there are tighter controls on the marine radios.