How do you get a personal MMSI number?

[snoopay]

Hi all,

I am looking to buy a VHF with DSC functionality on it as I hop from powerboat to sailboat/ kayak/ paddleboard/ PWC etc and wanted to have something that should I get in to trouble can relay a position.

I believe that you can get a personal MMSI number so it’s not attributed to one vessel? I’ve looked at the ofcom website as I believe that’s where you can get one from but I can’t see it anywhere. Has anyone done this and know how to go about getting it completed?

Thanks!

[paulbrown22]

You can get an MMSI as part of your Ship Portable Radio Licence request on the Ofcom website, which is the licence designed for handheld VHF radios used on multiple vessels.

That is the portion to licence the radio equipment itself, and technically you should hold a VHF SRC certificate to licence you as an operator of marine VHF, for anything other than emergency usage. If you haven't done it, is a very good course, and covers (or should cover) exactly questions like this, and how to use the DSC equipment.

[gtflash]

I’ve never understood the purpose of mmsi and ssr

[Poly]

Originally Posted by gtflash

I’ve never understood the purpose of mmsi and ssr

Probably best to go do some vhf training with your local RYA school. Mmsi is roughly equivalent to a phone number for your boat. SSR is more like a registration plate.

[HDAV]

Originally Posted by gtflash

I’ve never understood the purpose of mmsi and ssr

Well it’s what enables DSC to work and identify the radio and vessel/registrant

SSR is a vessel registry and nothing to do with MMSI numbers.....


A portable MMSI is only used with a handheld DSC VH f they are free from ofcom as posted above it’s a very simple process of filling in a form. It registers the MMSI to an individual rather than a vessel so should not be used in a fixed vhf. Of the vessels you mention some may have fixed vhf so these have their own MMSI other kayak/PWC etc are unlikely but you can keep
Your handheld DSC on you at all times regardless of the vessel you are on that day and use it (with permission of the vessels master)

[Peter_C]

Nautilus Lifeline DSC VHF's are sold to scuba divers that tend to dive on many boats. I registered mine in the USA without registering it to my boat. I will put the Nautilus MMSI info page up which has specific links to the UK and many other countries.
https://www.nautiluslifeline.com/mmsi/

[HDAV]

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Nautilus Lifeline DSC VHF's are sold to scuba divers that tend to dive on many boats. I registered mine in the USA without registering it to my boat. I will put the Nautilus MMSI info page up which has specific links to the UK and many other countries.
https://www.nautiluslifeline.com/mmsi/

Interestingly other DSC radios can have the MMSI changed without going to a dealer now too...... not sure what HMCG would do if they got an alert from a US registered device I assume carry on as normal with the alert process but perhaps alert US CG?

https://youtu.be/hy8nO6_UCRI