VHF and MMSI

[Theantony]

Hi. Just bought my first boat and naturally want to get a vhf. I don’t have a licence but will be getting one. Do I need an mmsi number even though I don’t have a license. And how do I get one. Thanks Antony

 

[jon and michie]

When you apply for the licence you will be assigned a mmsi and call sign automatically.
Jon

 

[jon and michie]

When you apply for the licence you will be assigned a mmsi and call sign automatically.
Jon

 

[jrudge]

If you don’t put in an mmsi number then the dsc “ panic button” will not work.

the mmsi is the boats licence and is not connected to personal licensing.

 

[Kwik Decision]

1. The VHF set needs to be licensed, this is done on line, no cost, and will give you an MMSI number. Link is here, and you don't need to have a VHF operators license to apply for this
Ships' radio and ship portable radio
2. You do need a personal license to legally operate the VHF, which I guess is what you are intending to get. It's a 1 day RYA course.

 

[Theantony]

1. The VHF set needs to be licensed, this is done on line, no cost, and will give you an MMSI number. Link is here, and you don't need to have a VHF operators license to apply for this
Ships' radio and ship portable radio
2. You do need a personal license to legally operate the VHF, which I guess is what you are intending to get. It's a 1 day RYA course.

Thanks. So I’m looking to get a handheld with dsc. so basically if I don’t have a licence I can still use the radio for mariners and channel 16 but I can’t use the dsc until I get a licence.

 

[[2068]]

>> if don’t have a licence I can still use the radio for mariners and channel 16 but I can’t use the dsc until I get a licence

You shouldn't use the radio at all without a licence.
But if you are sinking ... it's highly unlikely you'll get prosecuted.

The 1 day course and test is very basic.
The last person that failed the test wasn't actually a person, it was a robot lawnmower that wandered into the classroom by mistake.

 

[jon and michie]

On Some radio's you won't be able to activate the emergency distress dsc button without the mmsi programmed in.

 

[Kwik Decision]

Thanks. So I’m looking to get a handheld with dsc. so basically if I don’t have a licence I can still use the radio for mariners and channel 16 but I can’t use the dsc until I get a licence.

I edited my original post to say you don't need to have an operator's license to get the license for the VHF set, so you can do that now, and get the MMSI number.

 

[jrudge]

I have a feeling that a handheld can only be licensed as part of a ships installation not stand alone but happy to be corrected

 

[Hurricane]

My DSC Handhelds have separate MMSIs but are registered on the same account.
I can't remember if that means they are on the same licence or not.

 

[Gumpy]

I have a feeling that a handheld can only be licensed as part of a ships installation not stand alone but happy to be corrected

I have two portables one is covered under the ship licence and one has its own licence.
ETA
Neither are DSC

 

[Seastoke]

So i have another question , i have a radio on board i dont know what its call sign is or mmsi what do i do , ihave my radio license .

 

[Momac]

I have a feeling that a handheld can only be licensed as part of a ships installation not stand alone but happy to be corrected

I have non DSC handheld that is on my ships license
But a DSC handheld needs to have its own mmsi

 

[snowbird30ds]

Mmsi should show in the dsc setup menu, then look it up on the itu Mars database to find callsign and what vessel it's registered to.

 

[Seastoke]

So i have got my mmsi and call sign now , But i cant find my personal license can you get a replacement easy, and how .

 

[Momac]

So i have got my mmsi and call sign now , But i cant find my personal license can you get a replacement easy, and how .

https://www.rya.org.uk/training-support/Documents/DOL_SRC.pdf
.

PS not sure you will ever need it unless possibly you want to use it abroad and even then would be unlucky if challenged for it.

 

[Hot Property]

>> if don’t have a licence I can still use the radio for mariners and channel 16 but I can’t use the dsc until I get a licence

You shouldn't use the radio at all without a licence.
But if you are sinking ... it's highly unlikely you'll get prosecuted.

The 1 day course and test is very basic.
The last person that failed the test wasn't actually a person, it was a robot lawnmower that wandered into the classroom by mistake.

From memory, you can use a VHF to call for help in a Mayday situation even if you are not licenced to use it.

I'll check my sources and update post when found!

 

[Seastoke]

https://www.rya.org.uk/training-support/Documents/DOL_SRC.pdf
.

PS not sure you will ever need it unless possibly you want to use it abroad and even then would be unlucky if challenged for it.

Thanks Mart big help , we heading south next year covid free, i feel we need to be ship shape .

 

[[2068]]

From memory, you can use a VHF to call for help in a Mayday situation even if you are not licenced to use it.

I'll check my sources and update post when found!

Hence my comment that if you are sinking, select CH16 and make that call anyway.