MMSI Number?

[Adam F]

I have just upgraded to DSC!!

 

I have replaced the Icom M401 Euro with the new DSC version ready for the new season.

 

One question: How do I obtain my MMSI number? Can I use the set without it until it arrives?

 

Adam

[Newboy]

You will get it thru the post. In the meantime, you can use yoour dsc just as your old non dsc unit. All the mmsi does is an id, i.e., you can 'call' another member who has dsc and his radio will ring like a phone and it tell him you are calling him. Likewise he can call you. The main reason for a mmsi is if you are in distress and press the red buttom, the cc will know it's you and where you are.

[blueboatdriver]

http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/

 

Try this for MMSI registration.

 

Sorry,

Ignore this it's a US site. I'll find the correct URL later at work.

[Adam F]

Kam,

 

That still doesnt tell me where or how I get it? I cant recall from my VHF course who to obtain it.

 

Cheers

 

AF

[Newboy]

You apply for it together with your boat vhf tax disc. I got mine when I applied for mine, not sure how it works when you jump ship half way thru the season, i.e., changing from a non dsc to a dsc.

 

If you do a search, there was a link to the dept of communication of something. The thread was by me and it was called how do I get a vhf licence?

[duncan]

Adam,

 

ofcom site's a nightmare so I have linked right through here to the existing ships radio licence ammendement page.

You will need your customer reference number as well as your callsign then just go on from there to request an MMSI for your existing ships radio licence.

It will come through in about a week, but you can 'cheat' and go into MARS against your callsign in a few days and it will probably be there by then.

 

OK?

 

Duncan

[Adam F]

Thank you Duncan - we got there in the end!!

 

I agree Ofcom's site was useless!!! I gather from all the simple text that it was meant to be user friendly...yeah right!...after 1/2 hour of searching I resorted to my VHF handbook given to me when I did the test - here it advised www.radiolicencecentre.co.uk not such problems here...10 mins and it was payed for and filled in. 10 - 14 days to arrive -

[duncan]

well there's potentialy even better news on the horizon re licences because in a rare and probably doomed bid to actualy improve efficiency there is currently a consultative document out on making the ships radio licence a one off issue valid for the ownership of the vessel.

it may even be free to online self service (print your own) application.

 

way to much sense - I think the EU will block it somehow

[Paul D]

Which reminds me - I must send off my renewal fee - hopefully for the last time

 

 

[duncan]

dream on

[Paul D]

Duncan,

 

I was interested with your "MARS" reference, so searched it out on the net and was well impressed to find that you can search for any boat / callsign and get their MMSI / owner details.

 

Interestingly Blue Warrior MMSI / boat is not on the site yet, so must be that MARS gets updated later.

 

I have sent an "amended equipment" update to teh radio licening site to tell them I have a DSC set fitted, presumably they will automatically assign me an MMSI now I have told them ?

 

MARS Ship search

[Newboy]

Coool...

 

Sweet Honey is on there

 

I noticed she wasn't put on there till 15/9, despite the licence started at the beginning of August. So I reckon it will take 6+ weeks for BW to be on there.

[Paul D]

So is NEO

[Adam F]

Blue Warrior is on there - but under Mr Nichol who owned the boat before me - it even has the same callsign.

 

I guess they will just change the details and add my MMSI.

[Newboy]

I think callsign and MMSI number stays with the boat thru it's life. You can't take it with you when you change boat, you'll have to get a new one (or one from the boat).

[sean]

Not that there are many about, but if you buy a second hand DCS that has a already got an MMSI number entered. The radio would need to be returned to the manufacturer to have the memory reset, before a new MMSI could be programmed in.