MMSI Numbers

Mine isn't, it is to hand from cockpit or saloon.

Yes, I identify them with AIS - on my Chart Plotter. I find it easier to call them by name than spend time putting in / searching for MMSI's on the radio. Calling them by name has always had the desired result.

I'm not sure about 'potential number of people onboard', but my PLB will alert the powers that be in a 'distress situation one press of a button' and I can follow it up with a VHF voice call as, if memory serves correctly, you also should after a DSC alert.

If you are that sort of person, then you should have a button to press!!!

1.Most Plbs I think I said , as normal there is exceptions
2. when registering for MMSI and Call Sign they ask for potential number on board , although this is never going to be accurate if you a solo then it helps , also if you state 6 max then there not sending the navy out for you.
3.Most DSC radios has there call MMSI number displayed on your settings if you can connect all to talk to each other , simply scroll and press
4.I am glad that you are confident and have been in every situation to be abler to act calm ,never underestimate the effects of Fight and flight on the Human body , some people become the Hulk others a mouse do not patronize those that have no effect on the chemical balance of their brain , I have been taught to be very skilled in situations , but I also learned and was not that person until these skills were implanted.
I am sure your confidence will flow to those around you by your over zealousness.
 
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"overzealous," meaning they try too hard
Gosh! thanks. :o

Not in the mood for cat spats , If you try to hard to make people be like you, you will fail , we are all different and act differently to stress situations . I trust in my Judgment that you have not been or seeing everything , so beware of your own immortality
Having DSC on your boat and knowing how to operate it effectively , can save lives , to dispute this is irrational and dangerous, if you wish not to have one and tell the forum why that is you prerogative , but dont dismiss the truth because you lost an argument.
 
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Not in the mood for cat spats , If you try to hard to make people be like you, you will fail , we are all different and act differently to stress situations . I trust in my Judgment that you have not been or seeing everything , so beware of your own immortality
and that's not trying to start one?

Having DSC on your boat and knowing how to operate it effectively , can save lives , to dispute this is irrational and dangerous,
I don't think I have ever disputed that.

if you wish not to have one and tell the forum why that is you prerogative , but dont dismiss the truth because you lost an argument.
I don't see it as an argument, just a different approach. You choose to embrace DSC facility, I don't.
 
Our authorities say that with the digital signal you get longer range. I am not convinced as like digital radio/TV bad weather where analogue can be corrupted but some will get through and can be repeated on request. With digital the error checking will determine what and if a whole signal gets through. The retry patrol will also dictate what and how many retrus will take place.
They are quite correct. Burst transmissions of small packets of data will always travel further for the same energy input.
 
Yes, but to give any further details on CH 16, you're back to square one.

True, but there is enough information in the DSC emergency data packet for the emergency services to act - the call on 16 is supplementary.
 
Yes, but to give any further details on CH 16, you're back to square one.

True, but there is enough information in the DSC emergency data packet for the emergency services to act - the call on 16 is supplementary.
The CG have your lat and long they will know where you are, what you are (where AIS and the new SaftTX really helps) and will have a pretty good idea if your signal can reach them.

I've sat in a CG station in France and heard Falmouth CG loud and clear. But that is base station and big antenna.

As the aviation industry say, aviate, navigate, comunicate. If the bovine excreta hits the fan then I am sailing, navigating then communicating.
 
MMSI Numbers i assigned by national authorities, must be changed if flag state changes.
First three digits is country specific.
Many (all) VHF sets don't let you change the MMSI in them. So, when you buy a boat registered abroad and bring it to the UK (changing its registration) what is to be done? How do you go abouth chaning MMSI numbers in PLBs etc... never tried, but I am running into a situation where I will need to!
 
Many (all) VHF sets don't let you change the MMSI in them. So, when you buy a boat registered abroad and bring it to the UK (changing its registration) what is to be done? How do you go abouth chaning MMSI numbers in PLBs etc... never tried, but I am running into a situation where I will need to!

Generally the manufacturer (or possibly an agent) can change the MMSI number in a VHF for a boat changing nationality. Raymarine did mine.
Suspect not easily done for a PLB, but again a question for manufacturer
 
In the UK, PLBs are not programmed with anything specific to the boat such as an MMSI. They have their own ID, and the Beacon Registry database maintained in Falmouth associates that ID with the boat and owner details, allowing them to be updated relatively easily (though not as easily as they should be).

Because of this I didn’t think that programmming EPIRBs and PLBs for the boat was a thing at all, but apparently it is done in some countries. I think Australia might be one of them. As Dunedin says, probably best check with the manufacturer whether your second-hand unit needs to be reprogrammed and if so, how.

Pete
 
Which then raises the issue - if I wanted to call another vessel using DSC - how do I get their MMSI number, is there a directory that you can search by say vessel name (often emblazoned in large letters) or the owner's name if you happen to know who owns a specific vessel.

Yes. https://www.itu.int/mmsapp/ShipStation/list. Type in your or a friend’s boat’s name and see.

But unless you’ve got a neatly connected system which can DSC-call a vessel by clicking on its AIS symbol in the chartplotter, it’s easier to check its spoken name from its AIS info, and hail it by name on the radio. As for radio call signs, I still can’t fathom why they are used. Seems to me the chance of an operator not being familiar with his call sign exceeds the chance of two vessels of the same name being within radio range.
 
Yes. https://www.itu.int/mmsapp/ShipStation/list. Type in your or a friend’s boat’s name and see.

But unless you’ve got a neatly connected system which can DSC-call a vessel by clicking on its AIS symbol in the chartplotter, it’s easier to check its spoken name from its AIS info, and hail it by name on the radio. As for radio call signs, I still can’t fathom why they are used. Seems to me the chance of an operator not being familiar with his call sign exceeds the chance of two vessels of the same name being within radio range.

We have all the appropriate numbers, MMSI, mobile phones, call signs etc on idiot sheets attached next to each radio location on board (helm and chart table).

Some names are unpronounceable or difficult for someone unfamiliar to spell (guilty as charged). Call signs are easier. We thought we would be clever and out yachts is called 'Josepheline". Its simply too complex - 'Jo' would have been so much easier :(. You have no idea the number of people who ask why we chose such an obscure name. When you are part of a reporting net it is easier for the 'net operator' to be able to use call signs rather than names (but this is more relevant for SSB than VHF).

Jonathan
 
Yes. https://www.itu.int/mmsapp/ShipStation/listType in your or a friend’s boat’s name and see.

I tried typing in the name of my boat, just to see.

They have my boat, with the right tonnage, type and my name.
Unfortunately the MMSI number & call sign that comes up doesn't match those on the licence issued to me by Ofcom.

Not really sure what to do about this.
 
I tried typing in the name of my boat, just to see.

They have my boat, with the right tonnage, type and my name.
Unfortunately the MMSI number & call sign that comes up doesn't match those on the licence issued to me by Ofcom.

Not really sure what to do about this.
Ask OFCOM why the data they reported to ITU is wrong?
 
I tried typing in the name of my boat, just to see.

They have my boat, with the right tonnage, type and my name.
Unfortunately the MMSI number & call sign that comes up doesn't match those on the licence issued to me by Ofcom.

Not really sure what to do about this.

Sounds like the previous registration... Did you create a new mmsi ?
 
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