MMSI and Bahamas

[Blue Heron]

I'm thinking of getting an MMSI free from Boatus. I see on the web page that in order to operate a radio in international waters you need a radio card from the FCC so they issue the MMSI number?
Question any body get an MMSI number and have trouble in the Bahamas? That is where I intend to cruise to.

 

[Moonstruck]

My MMSI number came from Boat US. Never thought about it in the Bahamas.

 

[Cyclone]

The MMSI is a national number which is useable anywhere in the world. It ID's you and your vessel both for personal use, but more importantly for SAR purposes when you use a DSC DEVICE. All VHF radio equipped vessels should, no must have one. Bill

 

[psneeld]

Blue Heron you are correct....
Right from BoatUS website...as they provide "special MMSIs"....


BoatUS has been authorized by both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Coast Guard to assign MMSI numbers only to vessels that meet the following criteria:

• Used for recreation only
• Not required by law to carry a radio
• Do not make international voyages or communications

MMSI Registration - Maritime Mobile Service Identity - BoatUS

 

[Wxx3]

You can just go on line to the somewhat confusing FCC website and do it.
That way you are covered world wide, including Canada and the Bahamas.
(because we are still negotiating how many states they would get.
I'm thinking 8 for Canada, 1 for the Bahamas and 8 for Mexico.)

 

[caltexflanc]

I actually found it very easy to get the MMSI and radio license from the FCC. If you are going outside the US you will want to have both from them.

 

[Moonstruck]

They are pretty loose with VHF radios in the Bahamas. Some use them on land almost like telephones. You can call a cab on VHF in Marsh Harbor.

 

[twistedtree]

There are several things at play here.

First is that most countries require visiting boats to have ships and operators licenses. US citizens operating in US waters for recreation are exempt, but as soon as you go somewhere else your host country will likely require you to have a license. If you have the appropriate FCC licenses (ship's station and operators) they are recognized by other countries, just as we recognize theirs. Will you get caught? Who knows, and the risk is yours to judge.

The second thing is the MMSI number. No matter where you get the number, your radio will broadcast it and it will get received. The issue has to do with the databases that contain your info, or not. The international database is maintained by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and only MMSIs obtained from the FCC get entered into that database. The boatus MMSIs do not. Here's a link where you can look up your boat or someone elses Particulars of Ship stations

If you put out a mayday in some faraway place, the responding organization will look up the MMSI in the ITU database. From that they can tell whether they are looking for a white skiff, or a navy blue 80' trawler, along with contact info, etc. If you are not in the database, you won't get ignored, but you are also not giving them the most help that you can, and it's your ass that's in trouble, not theirs, so you should give them as much help as possible.

As has been mentioned, the hardest part about getting the licenses from the FCC is navigating their web site. When you apply for a ships station license, there is a check box where you say you also want an MMSI. They will take your money and give you both. It's painless once you find the link.

So if you think you will ever leave the country, go the FCC route.

 

[bren737]

Agree with all above...

The FCC site is typical govt site; not very user friendly. However, I just ordered a new ship's license and MMSI and received it in the mail in four days! At least SOMETHING in the govt seems to work.........

That being said, I think the vessel must also be a USCG documented vessel to receive a ship's license, does it not? I don't think just a state's registration will suffice. I could be wrong...

Bren

 

[twistedtree]

That being said, I think the vessel must also be a USCG documented vessel to receive a ship's license, does it not? I don't think just a state's registration will suffice. I could be wrong...

Bren

I don't think it matters. I'm pretty sure you can get a ships license for any boat. It used to be that one was required if you have a VHF, so I can't believe they are only available for Documented boats. That said, it's probably true that most boats that leave the country are documented, but certainly not all, and it's not required.

 

[Steppen]

FCC station licenses are NOT limited to documented vessels. I have had an FCC station license for almost 10 years on our Washington State titled and registered boat. We regularly cruise Canadian waters. Our boat is not documented with the Coast Guard.

 

[ranger58sb]

We've found it easy enough to get all that from FCC. Licenses, VHF callsign too, etc.

-Chris

 

[yachtbrokerguy]

The Bahamas are concerned with your customs and immigration fee, they need dollars from visitors to help support their country and any trip there is worth the fee. Last Wednesday I brought an 84' Horizon to Freeport, Grand Bahama and paid $300 for customs and $55.00 to immigration ( travel and overtime, snicker snicker.)
I have brought to the Bahamas U.S. documented vessels, both commercial and pleasure, foreign flagged vessels and Florida registered vessels. never have they asked about radio licenses. The customs fee is good for two visits within 6 months unless they have changed the rules.

 

[Sunset]

Interesting. In Canada we are required to have a radiotelephone licence to operate a VHF radio and once you have that (recommended: through your local Power Squadron) the Canadian website for the MMSI is dead simple. Fax in a simple 1 page form and bobzyeruncle.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Blue Heron you are correct....
Right from BoatUS website...as they provide "special MMSIs"....


BoatUS has been authorized by both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Coast Guard to assign MMSI numbers only to vessels that meet the following criteria:

• Used for recreation only
• Not required by law to carry a radio
• Do not make international voyages or communications

MMSI Registration - Maritime Mobile Service Identity - BoatUS

It also goes on to say:

Do NOT Register with BoatUS MMSI if:

• your vessel is required to carry a radio onboard (“Compulsory Equipped”)
• you plan to visit or communicate in a foreign port including Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, and the British Virgin Islands

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

Agree with all above...

The FCC site is typical govt site; not very user friendly. However, I just ordered a new ship's license and MMSI and received it in the mail in four days! At least SOMETHING in the govt seems to work.........

That being said, I think the vessel must also be a USCG documented vessel to receive a ship's license, does it not? I don't think just a state's registration will suffice. I could be wrong...

Bren

Can you help the rest of us who are not computer savy, by stepping us through the process? Please

 

[caltexflanc]

If you can do a blog and register for Trawler Forum, you can certainly do this:

FCC: Wireless Services: Ship Radio Stations: Licensing

And it looks in your sig that you already have an MMSI...?

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

If you can do a blog and register for Trawler Forum, you can certainly do this:

FCC: Wireless Services: Ship Radio Stations: Licensing

And it looks in your sig that you already have an MMSI...?

Still trying. Need to spend some time on it. My MMSI is a BoatUs number and I want to spend time in Canada, so I will be required to get an MMSI from the FCC.

 

[caltexflanc]

Still trying. Need to spend some time on it. My MMSI is a BoatUs number and I want to spend time in Canada, so I will be required to get an MMSI from the FCC.

Let me tell you, if I can do it anyone can. Plus, they have phone help that will walk you through it if you need it.

 

[Electro]

fcc regs

FCC: Wireless Services: Ship Radio Stations: Licensing

 

[millennium]

I've been to Canada and the Bahamas, nobody ever asked to see an FCC license. After reading this thread I thought I would try to log on the FCC site to get a license.
1. Needed to set myself up as a user with user name and password.
2. Then tried to look at the two required forms needed to set up payment plan and application.
3. Then required to download a Java program to download the above.
4. Java site had many programs, don't know what to download.
5. X' ed out of everything. will continue with no FCC document.

 

[dimer2]

I've been to Canada and the Bahamas, nobody ever asked to see an FCC license. After reading this thread I thought I would try to log on the FCC site to get a license.
1. Needed to set myself up as a user with user name and password.
2. Then tried to look at the two required forms needed to set up payment plan and application.
3. Then required to download a Java program to download the above.
4. Java site had many programs, don't know what to download.
5. X' ed out of everything. will continue with no FCC document.

It is a pain but I feel worth the effort. The code you need is SA for license type and it takes 5 minutes to complete after registering (and I am no computer guru!). This will give you a CG MMSI #, a ships radio license, your operators license and costs $165.00 The ships is good for 10 years and yours for life.

 

[Sunset]

I got hooked up through my local Power Squadron céw applicable radio course. Surely that route is also available stateside.

 

[Bay Pelican]

Another downside to MMSI numbers from Boat US. Depending on the radio it may be difficult to change the MMSI number on the radio if you later find you need the international number from the FCC. With some radios this can only be done by the manufacturer or authorized service center.

 

[sum escape]

I actually found it very easy to get the MMSI and radio license from the FCC. If you are going outside the US you will want to have both from them.

+1 on that. Once you find the licenses you need, very easy on the FCC site.

 

[twistedtree]

The issue is really not the MMSI number, but the need for a Ships Station license when voyaging outside the US. Your BoatUS MMSI will work everywhere, but your boat and personal info won't be in the international database, just the local US database.

You are supposed to have a Ships Station License (SA) if you operate outside the US, and you ALSO need a Radio Operators license (RA). SA licenses the ships radio installation, and RA licenses you to operate it. Technically, every person who will operate it should have an RA license. Whether you choose to comply, and whether you will get caught and what the consequences might be is your problem to sort out.

Back to the MMSI, when you fill out the form on the FCC site to get an SA license (I just did this the other day), i recall it asking if I already had an MMSI. I didn't, so did not fill that part out, but I'll bet that if you already have a BoatUS MMSI you can continue to use it in companion with your newly minted SA license.

 

[dimer2]

"Back to the MMSI, when you fill out the form on the FCC site to get an SA license (I just did this the other day), i recall it asking if I already had an MMSI. I didn't, so did not fill that part out, but I'll bet that if you already have a BoatUS MMSI you can continue to use it in companion with your newly minted SA license."

The instructions actually sate that if you have a non FCC MMSI# (ie BoatUS), you are to leave this blank, so you did right.

 

[caltexflanc]

Your BoatUS MMSI will work everywhere, but your boat and personal info won't be in the international database, just the local US database.

Work how? It will come up as an invalid number. If you are going outside the US get your license and your international MMSI, it is very silly and potentially dangerous not to.

 

[twistedtree]

Work how? It will come up as an invalid number. If you are going outside the US get your license and your international MMSI, it is very silly and potentially dangerous not to.

Re the last part of your statement encouraging people to just get the damn license, I completely agree. Sorry if I came across otherwise. I'm personally in favor of complete compliance with all the regs. I'm just tired of, and don't want to participate in debates of what people can get away with and what corners they can cut. But it looks like I've now done just that

I'm just trying to clarify what will and what won't work independent of compliance. DSC will still work, both to call and be called. Your AIS will still work just fine. I haven't tried it, but I can't imagine why a DSC distress call wouldn't go out as well and be received and displayed by everyone receiving it. As I understand it, the only issue is that when someone goes to look up the number to get info on the boat and owner, the number won't be in the ITU databases. I don't think it will behave any differently that an FCC-issued MMSI that hasn't propagated into the ITU database yet.

 

[Electro]

I filled out my ship station form on the FCC page yesterday. Paid and everything....took about 10 min