MMSI if boating often in BC

[BaseCampAnne]

I have read and reread the FCC site which seems a bit obtuse to me...and I have dreams of spending blocks of time in Canada.

If a person is connecting with Canadian marinas it seems as though the FCC route for the MMSI is the required (recommended?) route to go. If spending a month or longer It seemed worth pursuing. I am unclear which agency might be concerned about that.

For those with boating experiences in Mexico, the Bahamas or Canada do you have any experiences with having the FCC version :roll:

Do any Tugnuts use the FCC one?

I know it is very useful to have the MMSI programmed in for quickly locating the boat, but am unclear about what happens when in a "foreign" jurisdiction?

Perhaps someone has firsthand experience or a better understanding :?:

Thanks in advance 😀

 

[Lobo]

I think you are mixing up two items.

MMSI is a unique identification for your VHF, boat and yourself. As an American you register in the US. If you get into an emergency, US or Canada, and press your EMERGENCY button, you will be identified as to who you are and where you are at. US reads Canadian and vs versa.

All BC marinas are VHF 66A. This change was made a few years ago.

I was lead boat in a mayday a few weeks ago, and Search & Rescue was wondering just where I actually was. I asked and received approval to activate my MMSI and within 15 seconds they reported seeing my location. Now I know it works without having to sink my boat.

Dave
"Lobo"

 

[baz]

Having the MMSI programmed into your VHF radio along with your USCG Documentation allows the emergency responders to know all about your boat and location when pressing the red emergency button on the VHF radio.

Doing a VHF radio check should be done each time you go out. In our area PNW/Seattle there are two stations you can use for radio checks.

Lake Washington
TOWER LOCATION:
Maydenbauer Bay Yacht Club
CHANNELChannel 25

Friday Harbor
TOWER LOCATION:
Nomadic Research Labs
CHANNELChannel 28

 

[walldog]

If you travel outside the US, you should get your MMSI number from the FCC and get a station license for your boat. If you do not leave the US, you can get one from BoatUS. As with all things from the govt. it is clear as mud on what is required. Unless you have the FCC issued MMSi number, it will not be in the Canadian system. When I am back on my laptop, I will give you the link to get your required data online.

Herb

 

[Gin]

Herb's info is consistent with what Capt. Mac advised us on our orientation a week ago, and with what I later read. Get the full FCC license, not just a free MMSI through BoatUS, if you want the full benefit in Canada. But you do not lose all benefit if you don't. Emergency responders still pick up your distress signal and your location, which is broadcast with it. But in Canada, details about your boat would not be in their database.

Gini

 

[Crewdog]

Isn't it technically required also to have an FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit as well as a Station License when operating outside the U.S.?

Bill P
Blue Merle

 

[walldog]

Isn't it technically required also to have an FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit as well as a Station License when operating outside the U.S.?

Bill P
Blue Merle

Hi Bill, yes you are correct, I was typing on my iPad last night and cut my reply short. This topic has been discussed extensively on this site. Here is a quote from Two Ravens from a couple of years ago. Follow the directions below under electronic filing.

I have just gone through the process of getting a Radio Station Authorization and a Restricted Radio Operators Licence. I have been cautioned about not having a radio licence by folks that were stopped last summer by the Canadian Coast Guard.

The following are the facts on how to,how much and who needs one.
TWO RAVENS

Summary* : Filing Instructions - Application
Description* : Filing Instructions - Application
Solution Details :
Maritime Mobile Service Identities (MMSI) is an international system for identifying radar stations in the Maritime Mobile Service. The system is comprised of a series of nine digits which are transmitted over the radio path to uniquely identify ship stations, ship earth stations, coast stations, coast earth stations and group stations. If you have a marine radio with DSC (Digital Select Calling) capabilities, you must obtain a nine digit MMSI number and have it programmed into the unit before you transmit.

A Marine Coast station does not need a MMSI, but if a MMSI is requested with an application, it will be issued. Vessels communicating with the site do need a MMSI number.

If the vessel requires licensing, the MMSI number will be assigned by FCC during the application/licensing process. Anyone who is required to be licensed, and already has an FCC license, needs to file a modification application through the FCC to get the MMSI number. (Vessels require a license for the following: they will be traveling internationally, have Single Sideband equipment on board, are required by law or treaty to carry equipment aboard, or will be communicating with foreign ports). If the vessel does not require a license, they may obtain a MMSI by contacting either BoatUS (http://www.BoatUS.com); Shine Micro, Inc (http://www.shinemicro.com); Sea Tow Service International Inc (http://www.4seatwo.com) or United States Power Squadrons, Inc (http://www.usps4mmsi.com). If they are voluntarily licensing and want a MMSI number, they may send their request to one of the addresses listed in Public Notice DA07-1732.

Additional Maritime information can be obtained from the website http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index. ... d=maritime.

If you have any further questions, or need additional information, please submit a request through http://esupport.fcc.gov/index.htm or call the ULS Customer Support Hotline at (877) 480-3201 and select option 2 after the main menu recording.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who needs a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RR) and how do I obtain the permit?
Answer
Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit holders are authorized to operate most aircraft and aeronautical ground stations. They can also operate marine radiotelephone stations aboard pleasure craft (other than those carrying more than six passengers for hire on the Great Lakes or bays or tidewaters or in the open sea) when operator licensing is required.

A Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is NOT needed to operate the following:

? A voluntarily equipped ship or aircraft station (including a CAP station) which operates only on VHF frequencies and does not make foreign voyages or flights.

? An aeronautical ground or coast station which operates only on VHF frequencies.

? On-board stations.

? A marine utility station unless it is taken aboard a vessel which makes a foreign voyage.

? A survival craft station when using telephony or an emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) station.

? A ship radar station, if the operating frequency is determined by a fixed tuned device and the radar is capable of being operated by only external controls.

? Shore radar, shore radiolocation, maritime support, or shore radio-navigation stations.



If you plan to dock in a foreign port (e.g., Canada or the Bahamas) or if you communicate with foreign coast or ship stations, you must have a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permits (sometimes referred to by boaters as an "individual license") in addition to your ship radio station license. However, you do not need an operator permit if the following two conditions apply:

? You merely plan to sail in domestic or international waters without docking in any foreign ports and without communicating with foreign coast stations

? And your radio operates only on VHF frequencies



The Rules that govern the Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permits are 47 CFR - Part 13. The Rules can be accessed at the following website: http://wireless.fcc.gov/index.htm?job=r ... egulations



NOTE: A ship radio station license authorizes radio equipment aboard a ship, while the restricted radiotelephone operator permit authorizes a specific person to communicate with foreign stations or use certain radio equipment (e.g., MF/HF single sideband radio or satellite radio). For more information please see the following websites http://wireless.fcc.gov/cooperator's/RP.html and http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index. ... p_stations.



Electronic Filing:

Access electronic filing via Universal Licensing System (ULS) Online Filing at the following website http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls.
Login with your FRN and password. If you do not have your password and your have previously set a Personal Security Question (PSQ), go to website http://esupport.fcc.gov/password.htm and select Reset Password. Enter your FRN and answer the PSQ which will allow you to reset your password. If you have not set the PSQ go to web site http://esupport.fcc.gov/index.htm and submit a reset password form or call (877) 480-3201 for assistance.
On the My License page click the Apply for a New License link.
Choose RR ? Restricted Operator. Click Continue.
Answer the Applicant, Licensee and Employment Information pages, clicking continue to navigate through each page.
The Summary page will allow you to review and edit your application. Click Continue to Certify.
Review the certification statements and sign your application by typing you name in the appropriate box.
Submit your application. We recommend that you print a copy of the Application Confirmation page which includes the application file number.
If any application fees are due, ULS will calculate those fees. Fees for online filing MUST be received within 10 calendar days of the filing. Click Continue For Payment Options button to make selection of Pay By Credit Card or View Form 159. FCC highly recommends online electronic payment, by credit card, using our secure website. If you are paying manually using FCC Form 159 (Remittance Advice), send the application package to: Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000. Hand or courier delivery only to: U.S. Bank, Attn: FCC Government Lockbox #979097, SL-MO-C2-GL, 1005 Convention Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63101.
Filing a Paper Form:

To complete a manual application filing use FCC Form 605 (Main Form and Schedule E) and FCC Form 159. Forms can be obtained from the following website http://www.fcc.gov/formpage.html. The entire application package should be sent to: Federal Communications Commission, P. O. Box 979097, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000.



If you have any further questions, or need additional information, please submit a request through http://esupport.fcc.gov/index.htm or call the ULS Customer Support Hotline at (877) 480-3201 and select option 2 after the main menu recording.










**Please do not reply back to this message. The e-mail address is configured for outgoing e-mail only.**2ravens

Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2010 7:04 pm
City: Steamboat Springs
State/Province: CO
Ranger Model: R-25 Tug
Vessel Name: 2Ravens
Private messageWebsite Top
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous Display posts from previous: All posts1 day7 days2 weeks1 month3 months6 months1 year Sort by AuthorPost timeSubject AscendingDescending

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Write comments17 posts • Page 2 of 2 • 1, 2

Return to Feedback
Jump to: Select a forum ------------------ General Discussion Chat Cruises and Gatherings Ranger Tugs Factory Support General Technical Discussion Ask the Factory Technical Bulletins TugNuts Site Support Site Announcements Feedback How do I... For Sale Rangers For Sale by Owner
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: 2ravens and 0 guests

Home » Forum index Subscribe topicBookmark topic The team • Delete all board cookies • All times are UTC - 7 hours [ DST ] Copyright by The TugNuts © 2008

 

[Crewdog]

Thanks Herb:

I got both of mine in February.

It was an easy process; I pointed and clicked and forked over a credit card on a Monday, and the licenses were in my mailbox on Friday.

That was pre-sequester though.

Bill

 

[BaseCampAnne]

Thanks all,

I have gone online and received the 9 digit FCC number. Now I am in the process of completing the FCC application and will finish it soon. Given my goals of traveling quite a bit throughout the BC coastal areas as well as contacting marinas this is the way for me to go, as Herb wrote.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you this summer on the water here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest!

 

[baz]

FYI...

I just looked at my FCC Radio Station Authorization form (Form # FCC 605-S August 2007).

I applied for my authorization on November 14, 2009. I note that it expires in 10 years or Nov 14, 2019.

I also note that the form states my "Official Ship Number" as my USCG Documented number and the Station Identity/MMSI to be a different number than the USCG Documented number.