Did your VHF come with an MMSI number already installed?

H

hardee

New member
Did your VHF come with an MMSI number already installed?

I was with friends yesterday as they where getting their new to them CD-25. When we were talking about the VHF, DSC and MMSI, the broker explained to them that the VHF radio, a Garmin, came with the MMSI installed by the factory and they just needed to call BoatUS and give them(BoatUS) the MMSI number from the VHF and have them transfer it to the new current owner.

This sounded all new to me.

??? Does a new VHF come with a MMSI number already installed?

??? Can you transfer the MMSI to a new owner or do you need to change the MMSI number in the VHF to a new one assigned to you from BoatUS or US FCC?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Harvey, When we sold out 22 foot C-Dory, I called Boat US and released the MMSI number in the radio, then gave the new owner the instructions to call Boat US and reinstate the MMSI in their name. So in a way I guess it came with an MMSI to the new owner.

Dennis (formerly Notayot)
 
If the radio has already been programmed with a MMSI number, the only way to unprogram it is to send it back to the manufacturer for a reset. Transferring the number via the registration system appears to be easier (and cheaper).
 
ssobol":2sk3hg2f said:
If the radio has already been programmed with a MMSI number, the only way to unprogram it is to send it back to the manufacturer for a reset. Transferring the number via the registration system appears to be easier (and cheaper).
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I agree, but if the MMSI was issued via the US FCC or if the boat is going to be taken into Canada (legally) then the MMSI # need to be issued via FCC. Not that it is hard but it does take time and $$.

I just confirmed with Marty at Rogers Marine Electronics, "New VHF radios DO NOT come with an MMSI number already installed."

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Most likely in this case the MMSI number had been obtained by the prior owners. That being the case, the new owner has to contact Boat US. (I did all of this by 3-mail) for the current boat. Same for EPRIB to FCC. Often "brokers"--or salesmen, mis understand what the process is.
 
ssobol":19jhpjfi said:
FCC issued MMSI number is $220.

US Power Squadrons will give you a "US" number for free.
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The MMSI number from BoatUS is also free.

There is a legality issue if you are going to be boating outside US waters. And there is a use issue if you need to use the DSC Emergency button outside US waters. That issue is that the foreign country may not be able to access the owner information available in the data base if the number is not issued by the US FCC, therefore they may not know what vessel they are looking for or be able to contact anyone for information about the vessel or persons on board.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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ssobol":fdffo3ol said:
Only for members. Non-members pay $25.
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Yes, but for $24 you can join Boat US, get all of the benefits (and save that $24 in fuel costs and marina costs alone--I saved several hundred dollars this last year because of Boat US discounts). The benefits include the Free MMSI number, plus the magazine etc.
 
A couple years ago when we sold our 22, I was able to simply cancel the account related to the MMSI number of the radio then the new owner was able to request a transfer of that MMSI number into his name. This process made it very easy for me and the new owner.
 
When I purchased my boat from its Canadian Owner, I discovered that the RayMarine Ray 54 VHF was programmed with a US MMSI number that went back to one of its first two owners in the US. I consider the MMSI to be an essential piece of safety equipment. I needed a Canadian MMSI #, which is quite easy and free here in the great white north. Simply fill out the forms with Industry Canada and within a week or so you have the number. I have three MMSI #'s associated with my boats, our C-Dory VHF and our two handheld VHF's that we use for sea kayaking. Now with my new MMSI #, I needed to reprogram it into my old VHF. To do this I needed to send it in for factory reprogramming by Raymarine at their US service location. This would involve, return international postage, customs forms and a service fee to Raymarine. I called Raymarine and they informed me that the Ray 54 was an obsolete model that they no longer serviced, but that they 'might' be able to change the MMSI #, but would need to have it sent to them, with no guarantees that they would be able to do this. It was still a fine radio, but was 14 years old. I considered if I would spend $100 or more on doing this or not. I decided instead to upgrade my radio to a more modern one and choose a Standard Horizon GX2200 as a replacement. I was able to program in my own MMSI # and have a radio with more modern and improved safety features. I have kept the old Ray 54 and with a new antenna it will be my backup radio.
 
Montana Kev":3051k0wj said:
A couple years ago when we sold our 22, I was able to simply cancel the account related to the MMSI number of the radio then the new owner was able to request a transfer of that MMSI number into his name. This process made it very easy for me and the new owner.
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Kevin, was your MMSI # from BoatUS or US FCC?

Peter, Good choice, on the new VHF and in not sendind the old RM 54 through all those hoops.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Hi Harvey, yes, my account that I was able to cancel related to the MMSI number of the radio the assign to the new owner, was with Boat US not with the FCC. Sounds like this should really be done thru the FCC if boaters are going outside US waters, Canada and AK.

I plucked this off the Boat US site:"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 communicate with or visit foreign ports (i.e. Canada, Bahamas, Mexico & the Caribbean)

If you do not meet these criteria, you are legally required to obtain a Ship Station License from the FCC. They will issue an MMSI number with a Ship Station License."
 
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