Question For Everyone with MMSI Numbers

How did you apply for your MMSI Number?

  • Through a 3rd Party Site like BoatUS, Sea Tow or USPS

    Votes: 27 87.1%
  • Through the FCC with Ship Radio Station License

    Votes: 4 12.9%

  • Total voters
    31

THJeff

Active Member
Jan 4, 2012
278
Lake St.Clair - Michigan
Boat Info
2000 410 Sundancer
Engines
CAT 3126 Diesels
Some of you have seen our discussion on the Lake St. Clair Peeps thread, but I thought I'd open it to everyone on the Great Lakes. Did you apply for your MMSI number from the FCC or from a site such as BoatUS or US Power Squadrons? I ask because since we are on international waters, it is possible to communicate with or visit a Canadian port and any vessels that communicate with or visit foreign ports must obtain their MMSI number directly from the FCC. I'm curious how many actually followed this process.
 
The MMSI is regulated by the International Telecommunications Union which is based out of Geneva. If you are going to operate your vessel in US waters and are a recreational boater then you can obtain an MMSI for your VHF through Boat US or others. If you are a recreational boater and operate your vessel outside of US waters or are a Professional mariner you then must apply to the FCC and obtain what is called a "Ship Station License". My last boat's VHF and AIS was issued an MMSI and I used the boat in foreign ports. I never did use DSC in foreign waters or much at all for that matter.
 
The MMSI is regulated by the International Telecommunications Union which is based out of Geneva. If you are going to operate your vessel in US waters and are a recreational boater then you can obtain an MMSI for your VHF through Boat US or others. If you are a recreational boater and operate your vessel outside of US waters or are a Professional mariner you then must apply to the FCC and obtain what is called a "Ship Station License". My last boat's VHF and AIS was issued an MMSI and I used the boat in foreign ports. I never did use DSC in foreign waters or much at all for that matter.
Thank you. Perhaps I wasn't clear in why I was asking. I understand the rules you state but would like feedback from boaters who are regularly in international waters as we are here in the Great Lakes region. I hear chatter from the Canada Coast Guard located in Sarnia, Ontario just as much as I hear the USCG at our various local stations and I've operated my vessel in Canadian waters many times. There is quite a cost difference, ($25 vs $220) so I'm just wondering if anyone in the area has gone the FCC route if they occasionally visit our neighbors in Canada.
 
Jeff, I found an interesting answer in the FAQ's on BoatUS's site:

While Canada is considered “international waters” which calls for an FCC Ship Station License, it is our understanding that Canada is not enforcing US regulations. Canada has also de-licensed recreational boaters. That does not mean they can not or will not require it if given reason to do so. If you proceed to operate in the shared waters without license you do so at your own risk. Under international treaties to which the US is a party, you are required to have an FCC license to transmit your radio in a foreign port. It is recommended for Mexico, Bahamas and the Caribbean etc. BoatUS and the GMDSS Task Force are working to have the FCC lift the rule for Canada and the Bahamas. Also, the U.S. & Canadian Coast Guard are working together to respond to any distresses in the border waters.
 
Thank you. Perhaps I wasn't clear in why I was asking. I understand the rules you state but would like feedback from boaters who are regularly in international waters as we are here in the Great Lakes region. I hear chatter from the Canada Coast Guard located in Sarnia, Ontario just as much as I hear the USCG at our various local stations and I've operated my vessel in Canadian waters many times. There is quite a cost difference, ($25 vs $220) so I'm just wondering if anyone in the area has gone the FCC route if they occasionally visit our neighbors in Canada.
Ok sorry about that - There is nothing wrong with having an MMSI on your VHF no matter where you are. I believe the issue becomes that you may not be recognized outside of US FCC jurisdiction. I had thought that Canada was good with the US FCC requirements. The regulations actually state "foreign ports" but I believe nothing about "waters" if that means anything.
 
We're on Lake Ontario. We go to Canada maybe once or twice a year but the rule was fuzzy and I figured for a couple hundred bucks I would just register the FCC one. I try not to skimp on safety stuff and said to myself if I had to hit that red button while over the border I wouldn't be happy about saving ~$200 while the boat is going down. The truth is I'm sure the Canadian guys would respond just fine regardless, but this way I didn't have to worry about it
 
We're on Lake Ontario. We go to Canada maybe once or twice a year but the rule was fuzzy and I figured for a couple hundred bucks I would just register the FCC one. I try not to skimp on safety stuff and said to myself if I had to hit that red button while over the border I wouldn't be happy about saving ~$200 while the boat is going down. The truth is I'm sure the Canadian guys would respond just fine regardless, but this way I didn't have to worry about it
Those are generally my thoughts as well. Thanks for your input.
 
Those are generally my thoughts as well. Thanks for your input.
No problem. This did make me just think about the PLB we have on board. I registered it in the US, but I should probably check and see if there is anything I need to do with Canada.
 
I'm in Lake Erie Islands area and spend nearly 100% of my time in US waters. We've ventured up to Lake St. Clair in the past and assuredly crossed into Canadian waters.

That said, we don't have any intention of visiting a Canadian port, I used BoatUS to obtain my MMSI number last fall when I upgraded the VHF with a built in GPS. I concluded that if I have to press the red button, may as well transmit my location as that would be more useful than an MMSI number by itself which just aids in identification after the fact. And as Strecker mentioned, even if I had to press the button in Canadian waters, I'm sure the Canadian CG would attempt the rescue.
 
I'm in Lake Erie Islands area and spend nearly 100% of my time in US waters. We've ventured up to Lake St. Clair in the past and assuredly crossed into Canadian waters.

That said, we don't have any intention of visiting a Canadian port, I used BoatUS to obtain my MMSI number last fall when I upgraded the VHF with a built in GPS. I concluded that if I have to press the red button, may as well transmit my location as that would be more useful than an MMSI number by itself which just aids in identification after the fact. And as Strecker mentioned, even if I had to press the button in Canadian waters, I'm sure the Canadian CG would attempt the rescue.

I did the same thing. We bought the Standard Horizon model with built in GPS. I really like it, and it was only like $200. I'm adding an external speaker though, the built in one sucks
 
I heard a mmsi distress over the Memorial Day weekend, maybe even memorial day. The Sarnia Station of the Canadian coastguard where the first to sound off trying to hail the vessel. The Detroit district coastguard followed some time later. I never heard a reply from a boat though.
 
There were several distress calls in the Detroit and Port Huron/ Sarnia area over the Memorial Day weekend. One was a disabled vessel in Lake Huron between Lexington and Port Sanilac.. the US Coast Guard responded and brought the disabled vessel into the Lexington Harbor arriving around 11:00pm. Since you were not located closer to the disabled vessel you were only able to hear one side of the conversation from the USCG transmission.
 
I didn’t think so either! Especially when there is a tow boat at the Port Sanilac harbor. But they towed them in with the nice 42 foot response boat based out of Fort Grstiot by the Bluewater Bridge. Placed them alongside the fuel dock at the state marina and took off into the dark. I am sure there i# more to the story but they did toe them to Lexington.
 
I did some more reading about using a U.S. MMSI in Canada. I found several suggestions that the C.C.G isn't concerned with pleasureboat compliance. That makes sense, in light of the relaxation of U.S./Canadian VHF communications. I don't believe everything I read on the internet however, so I sent a simple inquiry to the an "info" email address I found on the C.C.G. website. I got an auto-response promising a real response, but I have yet to get one. I'm assuming they don't know, or don't care.
 
I spoke too soon. Received this:

Thank you for getting in touch. MMSI licensing is overseen by another department, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. We reached out to our counterparts there, who recommended you contact the department through the following link, as this will route your correspondence to the appropriate point of contact:

https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/icgc.nsf/eng/h_07026.html

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to follow up with us.

Best regards,

Canadian Coast Guard, Central and Arctic Region
 
I received a friendly call from that department within hours of submitting my inquiry.

That was the good news. The bad news is that they couldn't provide information either, because they're not an "enforcing body".

She referred me to Canada Border Services agency, but I'm not sure I'll continue to pursue this. Not only is it part of a massive, confusing bureaucracy, but it's part of two. The agent from ISEDC even laughed and said, "it probably just comes down to who you talk to, and how you talk to them".

I agree. I don't regret not buying a license. I don't plan to make any private DSC calls to the CCG, but if I'm sinking in Canadian waters, I won't hesitate to hit that Distress button.
 
<snip>

I agree. I don't regret not buying a license. I don't plan to make any private DSC calls to the CCG, but if I'm sinking in Canadian waters, I won't hesitate to hit that Distress button.
Exactly. The CCG isn't going to lookup the MMSI number to determine if they will respond to a distress call. If they receive a DSC Distress Call they will respond.

The MMSI# will be sorted out later.
 

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