Using MMSI

[picardy]

I have a yacht which obviously has a ships radio licence and an mmsi.

I am now fitting a repayment VHF radio to my rib which is basically the boats tender. Question is should the rib have it's own ship radio and separate MMSI or does it come under the same number as the yacht?

Thanks

 

[RichardS]

I have a yacht which obviously has a ships radio licence and an mmsi.

I am now fitting a repayment VHF radio to my rib which is basically the boats tender. Question is should the rib have it's own ship radio and separate MMSI or does it come under the same number as the yacht?

Thanks

If the rib has its own DSC radio it has to have its own MMSI number.

Richard

 

[Monique]

I don't interpret the regulation as you do RichardS.

I see it as an extension of the main vessel; SH 851 is a portable with DSC/MMSI and is used principally as a back up. If I place it in the dink, I use channel 15 or 17 and call it "Boatname base" and "boatname 2" respectively..

 

[prv]

I don't interpret the regulation as you do RichardS.

I see it as an extension of the main vessel; SH 851 is a portable with DSC/MMSI and is used principally as a back up. If I place it in the dink, I use channel 15 or 17 and call it "Boatname base" and "boatname 2" respectively..

I can see the argument both ways, but Ofcom say specifically that DSC handhelds should have their own MMSI numbers. That being the case, I'd certainly expect a fixed VHF in a daughter craft to have its own, as that's even more "separate" than a handheld. If nothing else, how would you make a DSC routine call from the RIB to the yacht if they both had the same number?

Pete

 

[Monique]

Hello prv,

I see your point also. If the DSC function is not used... does it matter? My boat sports a "froggie" registry and the Ofcom equivalent gave me an identical MMSI as the main SH 2200 DSC. Interesting...

 

[ithet]

I cannot see the point in not registering any handheld separately. Ofcom gives you the option and it is free to register. By doing so you have the option of using the handheld on any other vessel.

 

[l'escargot]

I don't think Ofcom gives any provision for 2 radios to be programmed with the same MMSI - it is clear that a handheld must have its own MMSI and a radio in separate vessels must also have its own MMSI just as it must have its own Ships Licence. You cannot register a second fixed set on a tender on the same licence as the main vessel.

 

[Monique]

Factually, my portable SH 851 is on the same MMSI as the boat; not a separate MMSI. This is through the ANFR, the French equiv of Ofcom.

Additionally, the rules governing both ANFR and OFCOM are International.

 

[l'escargot]

Factually, my portable SH 851 is on the same MMSI as the boat; not a separate MMSI. This is through the ANFR, the French equiv of Ofcom.

Additionally, the rules governing both ANFR and OFCOM are International.

I think you will find that under the international regulations a portable set should not be prefixed with the same four figures as a fixed set. Unless something has changed recently there has been no agreement as to what they should be prefixed with and that is why the UK has gone it alone and issued numbers prefixed with 2359 to handheld DSCs licenced for use in UK territorial waters only as opposed to the 2350 prefix for fixed sets. This may change when international agreements are reached.

 

[ffiill]

Factually, my portable SH 851 is on the same MMSI as the boat; not a separate MMSI. This is through the ANFR, the French equiv of Ofcom.

Additionally, the rules governing both ANFR and OFCOM are International.

Sadly I do not think there is an international standard regarding this.
You can register any hand held to your registered vessel and of course any radio can operate without DSC function.
I think you will find however that whilst a handheld or fixed radio may in the UK need seperate MMSI numbers it is usual to register them all to the same vessel.
Similarly a PLB or EPIRB in the UK.
I recently was looking at the Australian set up where because PLBs are in regular use in the outback the registration for MMSI epirb codes etc is primarily to the individual with further added info if you have a boat-registration type etc.

 

[Monique]

Hi l'escargot,

Interesting information. I'll stay posted on the info. Thank you.

 

[RestlessL]

With a different MMSI for the tender you can make use of the other features of DSC, for example you can issue a position request and find out where the tender is.