Communicating on the water - mmsi
- Thread starter cgypsy
- Start date
Molly Brown
Member
Ditto
colbysmith
Active member
Harvey, you said you'd put it in your 2150 as it was changeable in that radio. A group MMSI should be changeable in any radio that has the group call feature. Just want to mention this, to be sure you are not confusing a group MMSI with your individual MMSI, which can not be changed in any radio, without a trip back to it's manufacturer. I don't think all radios (earlier generation DSC's anyway), have the group call feature. Colby
colbysmith":mqt0uw48 said:
Colby, Thanks for making that clear. i should have been more specific I guess. I know the group # is changeable. I am choosing to put it into one of my DSC vhf's, so that if it is activated for a group call it does not take the ICOM off of 16. No need to have both radios jumping to a position request.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
After the close of the Friday Harbor CBGT Sea Gypsy, Sea Spray, and SleepyC did some playing around and got the official C-BRATS group MMSI number installed into 3 Standard Horizon VHF radios and then we did some test calls practicing using it. It took a bit of practice and reading the manuals but got it figured and working reliably. It was a bit late when we finished and then early Monday morning, I got Tickets radio set up.
Official C-BRATS Group MMSI # 036697831 just in case you are looking.
As I left the dock Monday morning with 4 radios set up for the group call Steve, Brooks and I were able to use it until we lost VHF coverage, about 6 miles out through the islands. It’s really too bad we didn’t get that started earlier, because it was good to practice with several boats close together to get the hang of receiving the calls.
Just after I left for the gathering I got a call from Bill “DaNag” and confirmed that that MMSI number will be the official group call for the C-BRATS. There may be more from him on this subject, but I did get the word from him, over the phone it was OK to go ahead with the number and use. So here we are.
Thanks to Sandra and Colby for initiating the processes.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Official C-BRATS Group MMSI # 036697831 just in case you are looking.
As I left the dock Monday morning with 4 radios set up for the group call Steve, Brooks and I were able to use it until we lost VHF coverage, about 6 miles out through the islands. It’s really too bad we didn’t get that started earlier, because it was good to practice with several boats close together to get the hang of receiving the calls.
Just after I left for the gathering I got a call from Bill “DaNag” and confirmed that that MMSI number will be the official group call for the C-BRATS. There may be more from him on this subject, but I did get the word from him, over the phone it was OK to go ahead with the number and use. So here we are.
Thanks to Sandra and Colby for initiating the processes.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
A question for our Canadian friends:
When you apply for an MMSI number, wherever or with whatever Canadian organization, is there a fee for that?
Also, are you able to apply for an MMSI number through the BoatUS organization, which provides free MMSI numbers, or through some equivalent organization in Canada?
I know the Boat US numbers do not go into the international data bank, so maybe there is no reason to go that route, but it would give a number to put into your VHF, to enable the DSC function (giving location and SOS call ability) but would not have boat info in the data base.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
When you apply for an MMSI number, wherever or with whatever Canadian organization, is there a fee for that?
Also, are you able to apply for an MMSI number through the BoatUS organization, which provides free MMSI numbers, or through some equivalent organization in Canada?
I know the Boat US numbers do not go into the international data bank, so maybe there is no reason to go that route, but it would give a number to put into your VHF, to enable the DSC function (giving location and SOS call ability) but would not have boat info in the data base.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
There is no fee in Canada to get an mmsi number. The link is in a previous email.
All numbers go into a database. https://sd.ic.gc.ca/pls/engdoc_anon/mmsi_search.ship
It is easy and free and your dcs features won't work until you put the number in your radio, so if you want to be able to push that little button in an emergency- make sure you have a number and it is entered in your radio and your radio is hooked up to a gps.
I'm guessing it might even be easier in Canada than the US.
All numbers go into a database. https://sd.ic.gc.ca/pls/engdoc_anon/mmsi_search.ship
It is easy and free and your dcs features won't work until you put the number in your radio, so if you want to be able to push that little button in an emergency- make sure you have a number and it is entered in your radio and your radio is hooked up to a gps.
I'm guessing it might even be easier in Canada than the US.
Boat US and SeaTow give Free MMSI numbers in the US. But these numbers are not official FCC numbers and are not in the international data base. So if your recreational vessel requires a Radio license--as it really might, it you go into Canada, Mexico, Bahamas etc, you need the FCC number, for which there is a fee.
Most US yachts go into Canada, without a radio license--and we all assume that there is reciprocity there...which there seems to be. visa versa...but read on.
Canadian rules are:
I do not know what the cost of a Canadian's ship radio license is.
If you use your radio, or transit into Foreign waters just like the Americans, you need to have a Ship's radio license. If you have a ship's radio license, ($$ in both the US and Canada), then you have to use a different form for your Canadian MMSI. Now, as a matter of reality do all the boats from the US, or Canada going into each other's waters, get a ship's license--NO.
Ham is easier--there is a reciprocity, and you use just eh prefix for Canada,'s region with the US Call sign, such as VE7/KA6PKB if operations in BC waters.
In the US, the MMSI is free from the FCC--only problem is if you want the internationally recognized MMSI you have to have the Ship's radio license, and this requires several fees--one to be registered to do electronic applications--same for Ham, Marine, Aircraft--so since I already have a FCC number, then I can go and pay the marine license fee, and then get the marine call sign, use ASI A, and the MMSI for international waters. The FCC license itself is 160 for 10 years, and is boat specific. This is needed for any voyage into international waters, as well as Marine SSB, Fixed satellite communication on the boat (not the hand held Sat phones).
Most US yachts go into Canada, without a radio license--and we all assume that there is reciprocity there...which there seems to be. visa versa...but read on.
Canadian rules are:
I do not know what the cost of a Canadian's ship radio license is.
If you use your radio, or transit into Foreign waters just like the Americans, you need to have a Ship's radio license. If you have a ship's radio license, ($$ in both the US and Canada), then you have to use a different form for your Canadian MMSI. Now, as a matter of reality do all the boats from the US, or Canada going into each other's waters, get a ship's license--NO.
Ham is easier--there is a reciprocity, and you use just eh prefix for Canada,'s region with the US Call sign, such as VE7/KA6PKB if operations in BC waters.
In the US, the MMSI is free from the FCC--only problem is if you want the internationally recognized MMSI you have to have the Ship's radio license, and this requires several fees--one to be registered to do electronic applications--same for Ham, Marine, Aircraft--so since I already have a FCC number, then I can go and pay the marine license fee, and then get the marine call sign, use ASI A, and the MMSI for international waters. The FCC license itself is 160 for 10 years, and is boat specific. This is needed for any voyage into international waters, as well as Marine SSB, Fixed satellite communication on the boat (not the hand held Sat phones).
From the BOAT US FAQ list, regarding whether Canadian boaterc an apply for a BoatUS MMSI number.
No. The BoatUS MMSI numbers contain a country code and are to be used only for U.S. vessels. Alternatively, you may complete the form to obtain a MMSI through Industry Canada by going to: http://sd.ic.gc.ca/pls/engdoc_anon/sd_pages.mmsi_forms
Well, it was a thought.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
No. The BoatUS MMSI numbers contain a country code and are to be used only for U.S. vessels. Alternatively, you may complete the form to obtain a MMSI through Industry Canada by going to: http://sd.ic.gc.ca/pls/engdoc_anon/sd_pages.mmsi_forms
Well, it was a thought.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Just to bring this back up-with the Mississippi gathering: I have put the C Brats group MMSI #: 036697831 into my radios,
My MMSI# is : 33822575737.
I wonder if we should have a sticky for MMSI numbers--or if it should be in some part of the member's data base.
Both set up and saving individual # is very easy in the SH HX870 hand held.
Only slightly more difficult in the SH 2100.
My MMSI# is : 33822575737.
I wonder if we should have a sticky for MMSI numbers--or if it should be in some part of the member's data base.
Both set up and saving individual # is very easy in the SH HX870 hand held.
Only slightly more difficult in the SH 2100.
colbysmith
Active member
Bob, I believe your C-Brat profile already has a place to enter your MMSI number. Yep, just checked my profile. Just go to your profile and about half way down is a box to enter your MMSI. Colby
Thank you Colby. You are correct. I had been looked at "Member list" and "our C Dory list" where there is not a place. I figured that if you were going to put in other members's numbers, that would be a good place to find them. Mine has been put in. Certainly other members who are going on a specific cruise can look up by profile.
Bringing this thread back to life as I am finally getting around to registering a MMSI# for BigC. In several posts above it is mentioned that the MMSI # is free through Boat US. It appears to me that Boat US now charges $25 unless you are a Boat US member. Is this new, or was everyone else who mentioned the "free" numbers already a member? What am I missing here, before I get out my credit card? I've entered all the information and now I'm on the payment page (and there was also a popup that warned me early on that non-members must pay $25).
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
What happens is that you join Boat US with the $25. There is another route, if you use West Marine much--and that is their Gold Advantage membership makes you a Boat US member. Basically you get $10 certificate for each $250 you spend at West Marine. (The free silver membership--you get $5 for each $250) Correct me if I am wrong about those levels.
Is it worth it? I try and buy things on sale at West Marine--and the occasional "have to have" items.
I do believe at one time it was free. There are some other benefits to Boat US
==they do lobby for the boating public. There are fuel and marina discounts.
When I had a Port Supply account--then there was no advantage to Boat US--other than supporting the organization. Now days Port Supply has changed, and I am no longer in the boat building business.
Is it worth it? I try and buy things on sale at West Marine--and the occasional "have to have" items.
I do believe at one time it was free. There are some other benefits to Boat US
==they do lobby for the boating public. There are fuel and marina discounts.
When I had a Port Supply account--then there was no advantage to Boat US--other than supporting the organization. Now days Port Supply has changed, and I am no longer in the boat building business.
Thanks Bob. It is a good deal to get the year of Boat US membership with the $25 MMSI registration.
However, I did find another site where you can still register for free, it is through the US Power Squadron http://www.usps4mmsi.com/
Note, that I could not get the username/login to work using Microsoft Edge, in case anyone is trying this from Windows 10. Instead I had to log in using Firefox, and once you have an account and log in, you can request the MMSI#
Now off to program the VHFs!
However, I did find another site where you can still register for free, it is through the US Power Squadron http://www.usps4mmsi.com/
Note, that I could not get the username/login to work using Microsoft Edge, in case anyone is trying this from Windows 10. Instead I had to log in using Firefox, and once you have an account and log in, you can request the MMSI#
Now off to program the VHFs!