Changing Boat name in Garmin AIS 600

[Bpwicks]

Does anyone have experience in changing their boat name (NOT MMSI #) in their Garmin AIS 600?

I located a data file that I believe will allow me to connect to the AIS unit by USB cable, but I don't want to try this blindly.

I contacted Garmin support and they said I would not be able to change the name and would have to physically take the unit to a Garmin dealer to have it completely reset.
Trying to avoid that hassle.

Thanks for any help that can be forwarded!

 

[Genuine Drift]

Are you located in Canada or the U.S.? To modify the vessel's name associated with an MMSI number, this can be done through the government entity that is responsible for MMSI registrations. If you are located in Canada I can email you the link to modify the vessel's MMSI information.

Regards,

Steve

 

[Jesperjo]

When I asked about this I was told that any Garmin dealer can modify it in the AIS unit and it doesn’t need to be done through the government entity. It just needs the correct cable, the Garmin software, and a PC to run the software on (as I have none of those things I haven’t done it myself).

It is correct to my knowledge that the connection between the MMSI number and the boat name does have to be modified by the entity that issued the MMSI but that AFAIK, applies to the radio database used to register the MMSI, and is not used by the AIS system. I was led to understand that those things are fully separate, although I haven’t yet done this myself so I can’t vouch for it being correct. I’d love to learn if that understanding is wrong. Perhaps call a Garmin dealer and ask?

 

[Submariner]

When I asked about this I was told that any Garmin dealer can modify it in the AIS unit and it doesn’t need to be done through the government entity. It just needs the correct cable, the Garmin software, and a PC to run the software on (as I have none of those things I haven’t done it myself).

It is correct to my knowledge that the connection between the MMSI number and the boat name does have to be modified by the entity that issued the MMSI but that AFAIK, applies to the radio database used to register the MMSI, and is not used by the AIS system. I was led to understand that those things are fully separate, although I haven’t yet done this myself so I can’t vouch for it being correct. I’d love to learn if that understanding is wrong. Perhaps call a Garmin dealer and ask?

Garmin doesn't make their software available in the US. Their download page will refer you to a dealer. Without the software, it's not possible to connect to the Garmin AIS unit to modify its local configuration.

Now, if you were outside the US, you are able to download the software from Garmin's website.

This is what Garmin publishes for the Garmin 800 AIS

AIS 800 Setup Software | Garmin Customer Support

Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.

support.garmin.com

Additional info for the Garmin 600 AIS, and other Garmin AIS products.

Garmin® VHF/AIS Programming and Reprogramming Guide | Garmin Customer Support

Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.

support.garmin.com

 

[Jesperjo]

Garmin doesn't make their software available in the US. Their download page will refer you to a dealer. Without the software, it's not possible to connect to the Garmin AIS unit to modify its local configuration.

Now, if you were outside the US, you are able to download the software from Garmin's website.

This is what Garmin publishes for the Garmin 800 AIS

AIS 800 Setup Software | Garmin Customer Support

Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.

support.garmin.com

Additional info for the Garmin 600 AIS, and other Garmin AIS products.

Garmin® VHF/AIS Programming and Reprogramming Guide | Garmin Customer Support

Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.

support.garmin.com

I was under the impression that dealers have access to the software though, right @Submariner? I knew that they didn’t make it available to individuals but the site says as well that dealers can get it.

Do they make it available to individuals outside the U.S. If so it probably wouldn’t be terribly difficult to obtain even if one happens to be physically inside the U.S.

 

[Submariner]

I was under the impression that dealers have access to the software though, right @Submariner? I knew that they didn’t make it available to individuals but the site says as well that dealers can get it.

Do they make it available to individuals outside the U.S. If so it probably wouldn’t be terribly difficult to obtain even if one happens to be physically inside the U.S.

Garmin dealers have the software, though I doubt they would reprogram an AIS unit for no cost. They also need the unit, which means removing it from the boat and taking it to the dealer.

 

[Full_O_Fish]

Within the US vessel owners/operators are "legally" not allowed to make alterations to their own AIS ship static data (MMSI, Ship name, Dimensions, Etc.) per the FCC. Over the years I would say that this warning does very little to deter most, and it is mostly only instances such as yours where access to the required programming software is the limiting factor which pushes one to following the letter of the law and seeking out a dealer to do the reprogramming. In the case of the AIS600 there are ways to find copies of the software online for download and this will allow anyone with it to simply connect to the USB port on the unit and update/adjust the static data freely; however, it takes a "secret" dealer code in order to fully reset the unit in order to change an MMSI number. Since MMSI's are assigned to vessels for life, there are very few instances where this would ever be necessary, but they would include purchasing a used unit that came off another vessel, changing from a BoatUS to an FCC issued MMSI number to allow for international travel, or an incorrectly programmed number along with a few other very fringe cases.

If you're unable to get it done locally or yourself, feel free to PM me, I am a dealer and have all of the software tools to accomplish whatever you need.