Garmin GPSMAP 188C Sounder User Manual download pdf (Page 109)

GPSMAP 188/188C Sounder Owner’s Manual 103

APPENDIX > WHAT IS MMSI?

What is Maritime Mobile Service Identity

(MMSI)?

Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) basically allows a VHF

radio to act like a phone. In order to make a “call” on a phone,

you ﬁrst need a phone number to dial. The 9 digit MMSI number

acts like a phone number when used in a Position Report and as a

unique identiﬁer to the Coast Guard when used in an emergency

Distress Call. In order to obtain a Maritime Mobile Service Identity

(MMSI) number, users must register their VHF radio with the FCC

(Form 605). Garmin does not supply this number.

How are MMSI Assignments Obtained?

Non-commercial users (for example, recreational users who remain

in domestic waters and only carry VHF, EPIRB (Emergency

Position Indicating Radio Beacons), and Radar) are not required to

have a FCC ship station license. The FCC and Coast Guard have

authorized some second and third party vendors to assign MMSI

numbers. This service is limited to registering recreational vessels

only. To receive information on how to obtain a recreational MMSI

number, contact: http://www.uscg.mil/rescue21/links/mmsi.htm or

http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/.

U.S Non-Federal User: Commercial users, or those who travel

outside the U.S. or Canada, must apply for a ship station license, or

an amendment to a ship station license. To ﬁnd out if you require

a Ship Station license contact: http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/

fctsht14.html. If your vessel requires licensing by the FCC you

obtain a MMSI during the application/licensing process when you

ﬁle FCC Forms 159 and 605.

U.S. Federal User: Federal users can obtain MMSI assignments

from their agency radio spectrum management ofﬁce. These

procedures are currently under review by the NTIA (National

Telecommunications and Information Administration).

Outside the U.S.: Users can obtain an MMSI assignment from their

telecommunications authority or ship registry, often by obtaining or

amending their ship station license.

In Canada: Industry Canada is responsible for assigning MMSI

numbers to commercial and recreational vessels. Information is

available at the following web site: http://apollo.ic.gc.ca/english/

mmsi.html.

For information regarding MMSI’s visit:

http://www.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/mmsi.htm.

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Garmin GPSMAP 188C Sounder User Manual Page 109