Multiple or Unilateral MMSI

[dshkipin]

Wondering if anyone has had an issue with having multiple DSC-capable VHF stations (such as a handheld and a stationary). Option 1 is to assign different MMSI's to each station, in example, one MMSI to main vessel and another for the tender. Option 2 is to keep the same MMSI for all stations as one vessel. Difference is in ability to track them. Can one "buddy-track" her own MMSI? I would want to be able to track the handheld in case of the MOB situation, for example. Thanks in advance.

[rustypirate]

The FCC states;

If you have a marine radio with DSC capability, you must obtain a nine-digit maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) number and have it programmed into the unit before you transmit. Each vessel needs only one MMSI number.

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/ind...=ship_stations

This does not state that you can ONLY have one number however.

[Hydra]

Dmitry and Nicole,
I'm afraid that DSC handheld VHF radios just don't exist, to prevent moving them from one boat to another. Moreover, national authorities (FCC in the US, ANFr in France) give a unique MMSI for all radio equipment (VHF, HF, EPIRB, AIS...) on a ship. The French form to apply for a ship license is clear about that.

Then, if you want a MMSI for your tender, you must have it registered as an independent yacht first.

Alain

[dshkipin]

Alain, thank you for the input. I have a Standard Horizon HX850S which is DSC capable and is a handheld. Very handy, especially in MOB situation. One correction is there is no need to have a ship registered or documented to get MMSI: one cannot use DSC capability outside her contry without a ships station license; so yes one would legally need to get a ships stations license which requires registration, but only when abroad. That is the case in US, at least. Again, thank you for the reply.

[Hydra]

The US regulations are much lighter than those of the International Telecommunication Union. I should have checked first.

In France, it is mandatory to have a ship license for using a VHF radio, even when sailing only in territorial waters, but there is no tax to pay for this any more. If the radio is DSC capable, a MMSI is automatically supplied with the license.

I also discovered on the ITU website that it is possible to obtain a MMSI for a "craft associated with a parent ship". This probably means applying for a ship license, that might need paying for.

Alain