MMSI Directory

[Mike_Martin]

The words below are from the draft of the next Airwaves newsletter due to go out to licensees in August. However, as the consultation has already begun I thought Forumites might like to get in first.

Mike

Quote
In response to requests made by the RYA and some pleasure boat users the Agency and the MCA have been investigating the possibility of producing a Directory of UK vessels with MMSI numbers. It has been decided that MCA is better placed (due to its emphasis on Sea Safety) to take such a project forward and it is now looking into the viability of producing one. To this end, a consultation exercise has been set up in order to judge how useful such a Directory would be and who will buy it if it is produced.

The Directory would be unlikely to carry any personal detail other than the surname of the vessel’s owner and would focus on visual identification of the craft. It is therefore not going to be open to abuse by “direct marketing”companies etc.

However, it is only fair to mention that there have been concerns raised by Maritime professionals as to the realistic usefulness of such a publication in a safety or a collision situation. Issues have also been raised around how often such a publication would need to be up-dated (as Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment becomes more commonplace on pleasure craft) and how expensive the updates will be.

I would very strongly urge everyone either carrying or ready to upgrade to DSC equipment to participate in the consultation by visiting the MCA Website at http://www.mcga.gov.uk/aboutus/Comms_Innov/mmsi.htm in order to ensure that your opinion is taken into account. As the general mood seems to be in favour of such a resource, “no feedback” will be assumed to indicate assent.
End quote


<hr width=100% size=1>Manager,
Aeronautical & Maritime Services Section,
Radiocommunications Agency

 

[trev]

This whole GMDSS thingy is getting out of hand. We already have radio 'call signs' why can't vessels just have telephone numbers like the rest of the world? and call on telephones for general chat (most already do). Most folk call an emergency phone number when in trouble - why not ships ?
GMDSS was all very well when first mooted many years ago but technology has rapidly overtaken its inception and uses. I spent a harrowing few days gaining a GOC cert which taught me a load of nonesense!! All that is really required for distress monitoring is an advanced 'auto alarm system' sending out position and name/radio call sign (not MMSI or anything complicated). You don't need expensive equipment.
I sometimes think certain folk are making a very nice carreer out of perpetuating an obsolete format.

<hr width=100% size=1>Trev

 

[Mike2822425]

Mike,

In the other thread on this subject, I asked "Why have the American Coastguard abandoned this system"? Due to your position, and if it is beyond your remit to comment on this subject I will understand but I would like to know?

I will vote yes.


The other Mike.

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[Observer]

Can't see the point of it. If an owner/skipper wants to contact a chum on another boat, he can:

(i) call on Ch 16;
(ii) call on mobile telephone already known;
(iii) call on MMSI already known.

If (ii) and (iii) not already known, maybe the recipient would prefer not to be contacted anyway. And owners may not want MMSI published so would have to provide an "ex-directory" facility as well.

Anyway, who would BUY a directory of MMSI numbers? Not many, I suggest. If it's a freebie it might have some takers but money spent on preparation and publication not good use of public funds, imo.



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[Mike2822425]

Kim, Scrub my post about the American C G. Mike has delt with it in the other thread.

Mike.

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[Observer]

Shag and hassle or what?

<hr width=100% size=1>"The other Mike" = "Mike2822425"<hr width=100% size=1>

How looooong did it take you to register?

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[Mike2822425]

Re: Shag and hassle or what?

Its your turn in the barrel sailor. Mike

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[Geoffs]

Doesn't this already exist.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.itu.int/cgi-bin/htsh/mars/ship_search.sh?lng=#start>http://www.itu.int/cgi-bin/htsh/mars/ship_search.sh?lng=#start</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>Old Chinese proverb 'Man who sail boat into rice field, soon get into paddy'

 

[tripleace]

just used it .. great works a treat..

looked up ocean eagle and ocean froggie and found them straght away

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boating-ads.co.uk> Triple Ace Link</A>

 

[duncan]

Ah but it only exists for us 'cos we access the www
they seem to be considering print our a subset and selling it as a telephone directory.
If I had DSC then I would do as I do with my mobile - collect the numbers of the people I am interested in / contact regularily or aim to contact in a specific situation and put them into memory - else Ch16.
Almanac gives me the establishment numbers I need - CGs etc already.
So I think I am a no - don't see it flying

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