Mmsi #

[Mark Maulden]

I'm trying to get an MMSI #. Since I spend time in British Columbia, I'm told I have to get a license from the FCC which would also give me an MMSI #. Anybody ever try to do that online? If anybody has navigated the FCC website and knows how to do this, pls post or PM me. What a difference between the FCC site and the FAA site....What if I just get an MMSI # from Boat US? What's the difference? Will it not work in Canada? I want to hook my vhf up to the plotter and plan on getting AIS in the future. Need the number just to buy the AIS....Very frustrated. No help from FCC "help".....

 

[rpwillia]

You are working too hard

Just go to boatus at: http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/

 

[Birdman737]

When I got my AIS transceiver about two years ago, the Boat US MMSIs technically weren't valid outside the US. However, Canada also wasn't taking any punitive actions if you had a Boat US MMSI, and there might be a chance maybe some day their numbers could be grandfathered in internationally.

From what I remember, having an FCC MMSI gives you the added benefit of having your boat's information on record in an SAR database available internationally... useful if you press the "Distress" button. Whether that's worth the added cost is up to you.

 

[Mark Maulden]

read the last paragraph in the link.....

Just go to boatus at: http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/

 

[transmitterdan]

To get an MMSI from the FCC requires applying for ships license. The fee is $150 and should be good for 10 years. The FCC web site is hard to navigate. The first thing you need is an FRN which is free. Go to fcc.gov and sign up for an FRN then you can come back and apply for the license.

The Boat US MMSI is not for foreign travel.

 

[Mark Maulden]

Forgot to mention. I have the frn. Every time I go to another part of the site following bunny trails, it logs me back out. Frustrating

 

[alexco38]

In canada application is Industry Canada. Just google it. I think its free or very little cost.

I dont think it has expiration dates. The vhf allow you to enter it once. Once confirmed, you cant reset. Only factory can reset. This is to prevent theft as i recall. Because the owner has to report vhf was lost and they permanently disable it.

You dont want to send SAR to look for boat that doesnt march the registration description; hull color, type etc. There is a fine even if you move it to another boat.

 

[sesmith]

read the last paragraph in the link.....

Yes, so you are supposed to get your MMSI # from the fcc if you do international travel. For that, you need to get a ship's station license from them. Actually, you are supposed to get the station license for international travel regardless of the mmsi #. To make Canada happy, you need a restricted radio operator's permit. They will accept the US one from the fcc (nominal fee and no expiration). Good luck with the fcc web site. You can get there from here, but it's not easy.

Not sure what all the red tape's about, 'cause from my limited experience in Canada, no one checks or seems to care. With the mmsi # though, I wonder if it might be a case of who has access to the various data bases. Maybe your US only # is not made available to international rescue people. So if you have to press that button while in Canada, a US only # might do you no good, while the fcc one might be recognized. Just a guess.

Here's the link to the page where you register:

http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=home

Once registered, you can apply for a station license (I believe they call it a ship license) at a pull down menu at the upper left of the page when you log into the system. There are various help pages as well, though they are less than clear.