MMSI mystery

[Fire99]

Hi All..

Now I must admit I never totally understand how all the licensing etc works but hopefully you can steer me in the right direction (excuse the pun).

I'm trying to sort the MMSI registration on my fairly recent acquisition. The problem I have is the callsign for the vessel points to one MMSI number and is searchable on a database. However, the one registered on the Raymarine VHF is another, which corresponds to the one written in the wheelhouse.

So if I try to create a new license registration using the ship's CallSign it will try to give me a different MMSI to what is registered in the VHF, which clearly will be hopeless..

Any ideas how to tackle this one?

Many thanks,

Nick

 

[Homer J]

Don’t you have to reregister the radio in your name on a new ships radio licence and will get issued with a new MMSI?

 

[Fire99]

Don’t you have to reregister the radio in your name on a new ships radio licence and will get issued with a new MMSI?

From what I remember the MMSI is assigned to the vessel so you can apply for a new license using the old call sign which will transfer the MMSI number to the new license.. However, the callsign doesn't match the registered MMSI for the boat.

 

[PeterBoater]

Don’t you have to reregister the radio in your name on a new ships radio licence and will get issued with a new MMSI?

No; each vessel has a unique MMSI and callsign that stays with it regardless of owner change, name change etc. It sounds as if the radio has come from another vessel and the MMSI originally programmed into the radio has not been changed. The MMSI written in the wheelhouse is wrong for the same reason. Best to get the radio reprogrammed with the boat's real MMSI. Ofcom needs to be told of the new boat owner, using its 'proper' MMSI.

 

[Mr Googler]

Each VHF unit has a unique MMSI. Doesn’t matter what vessel the radio is on as such. You can also have as many MMSI numbers as you like on one boat (if you had multiple VHF units for example)

You need to get whomever registered the MMSI number in the current VHF to “surrender” the licence. The number will then be free for you to register in your name on the boat.

Alternatively…get an electronics company to reset the vhf and register for a new MMSI.

 

[PeterBoater]

Each VHF unit has a unique MMSI. Doesn’t matter what vessel the radio is on as such. You can also have as many MMSI numbers as you like on one boat (if you had multiple VHF units for example)

You need to get whomever registered the MMSI number in the current VHF to “surrender” the licence. The number will then be free for you to register in your name on the boat.

Alternatively…get an electronics company to reset the vhf and register for a new MMSI.

That is plain wrong, almost every word

 

[SC35]

No; each vessel has a unique MMSI and callsign that stays with it regardless of owner change, name change etc. It sounds as if the radio has come from another vessel and the MMSI originally programmed into the radio has not been changed. The MMSI written in the wheelhouse is wrong for the same reason. Best to get the radio reprogrammed with the boat's real MMSI. Ofcom needs to be told of the new boat owner, using its 'proper' MMSI.

I've never understood why updating the MMSI requires a trip to the manufacturer.

 

[PeterBoater]

"'I've never understood why updating the MMSI requires a trip to the manufacturer. "
Theft reduction/revenue generation? It doesn't always have to be the manufacturer; service agents etc can do it for many makes.

 

[Irish Rover]

Hi All..

Now I must admit I never totally understand how all the licensing etc works but hopefully you can steer me in the right direction (excuse the pun).

I'm trying to sort the MMSI registration on my fairly recent acquisition. The problem I have is the callsign for the vessel points to one MMSI number and is searchable on a database. However, the one registered on the Raymarine VHF is another, which corresponds to the one written in the wheelhouse.

So if I try to create a new license registration using the ship's CallSign it will try to give me a different MMSI to what is registered in the VHF, which clearly will be hopeless..

Any ideas how to tackle this one?

Many thanks,

Nick

You need to talk to the previous owner and determine which MMSI/Call Sign is correct. He then needs to surrender the appropriate licence [can be done online on the Ofcom website] and you then apply for a new licence using the same MMSI and call sign. It can all be done online on the excellent Ofcom website. You may, unfortunately have to send the VHF to a service agent to reprogramme the MMSI.

 

[Jamie Dundee]

Each VHF unit has a unique MMSI. Doesn’t matter what vessel the radio is on as such. You can also have as many MMSI numbers as you like on one boat (if you had multiple VHF units for example)

This only applies to handheld VHFs. The fixed VHF, radar, AIS, HF radio etc are registered to the boat on one MMSI/call sign unique to that boat.

 

[Momac]

I've never understood why updating the MMSI requires a trip to the manufacturer.

I believe its a legal requirement in the USA so is applied to all DSC sets

 

[Mr Googler]

That is plain wrong, almost every word

Looks like I’ve been doing it wrong for years then ?

 

[Hurricane]

No; each vessel has a unique MMSI and callsign that stays with it regardless of owner change, name change etc. It sounds as if the radio has come from another vessel and the MMSI originally programmed into the radio has not been changed. The MMSI written in the wheelhouse is wrong for the same reason. Best to get the radio reprogrammed with the boat's real MMSI. Ofcom needs to be told of the new boat owner, using its 'proper' MMSI.

I agree but there are cases where new MMSIs are required.
Moving a boat to a British Flag for example.

 

[Hurricane]

That is plain wrong, almost every word

Not completely wrong but I agree with you in principle.
For example if you have several DSC handhelds, each one will have its own MMSI (they would have to anyway) but all the fixed equipment will be a single MMSI (fixed VHF and fixed AIS etc)
All mine are on the same licence though.

 

[Fire99]

Thanks a lot folks.. The broker who administered the sale is immediately next door so I'll see if he can have a little chat with the previous owner regarding MMSI..

Regarding the resetting, I see the significance of accuracy of the MMSI but to a lowly consumer it does feel like easy money for the industry.

 

[Mr Googler]

I buy a used boat which previously had a MMSI / Callsign…..stick a new VHF on it….go online…register for a new MMSI/ callsign with boat details…job done. (Getting existing MMSI removed from unit is sort of makes it new again)

Why does it matter what the previous one was. All I’m interested in is when I hit the big red button….they know where I am, who I am, name of the boat, type of boat, colour of the hull (as I’m no doubt upside down) etc.. and come get me ?

If I want to use the existing MMSI, previous registered person for that MMSI (if you can find them) surrenders the licence and I can apply for a licence using it.

I’m not sure what I’ve been doing wrong?

 

[Momac]

I’m not sure what I’ve been doing wrong?

The intent is the MMSI stays with the boat when the boat ownership changes.
Earlier you said you said you could have multiple MMSI's on a boat which is certain not the intent (for fixed equipment).
But if you did want to have a fresh MMSI for a boat you have purchased and change the MMSI's on the fixed equipment that would be okay and could be the only way if the existing correct MMSI cannot be identified.

 

[Mr Googler]

Sorry…yes…I thought you could have multiple fixed sets registered on the same boat with different MMSI numbers but all pointing to the same person , boat etc.. (not that I’ve ever done that)

 

[Irish Rover]

The online licensing arrangements operated by Ofcom are excellent. Their website is excellent and explains in easily understood terms what needs to be done in different situations. There are no grey areas, that I can see. I simply do not understand why people feel the need to complicate matters by making up their own rules as they go along or posting nonsense on the Internet when it's so easy and straightforward to get it right by checking the Ofcom website - this comment is not directed at the OP who raised a reasonable question.

 

[Mr Googler]

The online licensing arrangements operated by Ofcom are excellent. Their website is excellent and explains in easily understood terms what needs to be done in different situations. There are no grey areas, that I can see. I simply do not understand why people feel the need to complicate matters by making up their own rules as they go along or posting nonsense on the Internet when it's so easy and straightforward to get it right by checking the Ofcom website - this comment is not directed at the OP who raised a reasonable question.

I consider myself told off and apologies for any confusion I may have caused. In my defence….I’m easily confused