- MMSIs for Recreational Vessels
- MMSIs for Commercial, or State, Local or Tribal Government Vessels
- MMSIs for Federal Vessels
- MMSIs for VHF Handhelds
- MMSIs for Craft Associated with a Parent Ship (Launches, etc.)
- MMSIs for AIS Private Aids to Navigation
- MMSIs for Coast Stations
- MMSIs for Search and Rescue Aircraft
- MMSIs for Search and Rescue Transmitters, EPIRBs, PLBs, MSLDs and AMRDs
- MMSIs for Vessels Registered or Located Outside of the U.S.
- What to do when Selling or Disposing of your Radio or Radio-equipped Vessel
- MMSI Formats
- MMSI Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Performing a VHF Marine Radio Check
- SAR Watchstanders
MMSI Decision Matrix - Click Here to Open as pdf | Click Here to Download as xlsx
| I am a: | I want to: | What's Next: | Links: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational Boater - Voluntary carriage of AIS with MMSI (vessel under 65) | Use my boat in US waters only | Contact an approved organization to register an MMSI number | -Shine Micro MMSI Vessel Registration -BOAT US -US Power Squadron |
| Use my boat in both US and International waters | Contact the FCC for a Ship Station License (which will include an MMSI number) | FCC Ship Station Licensing | |
| Sell my boat and release my MMSI number to the new owner | Contact the MMSI Issuer to arrange release. Dont know who that is? |
Click here for a pdf of MMSI allotments | |
| Buy a boat and transfer the existing MMSI registration to me | Contact the MMSI Issuer to arrange registration update. Dont know who that is? |
Click here for a pdf of MMSI allotments | |
| Get an MMSI number for my marine VHF handheld, to use on multiple small craft in US Coastal waters | Contact an approved organization to register an MMSI number for each radio | -Shine Micro MMSI Handheld Registration -FCC MMSI Handheld Registration |
|
| Commercial Vessel Owner - Mandatory carriage of AIS with MMSI (or recreational vessel over 65) | Use my boat in US waters only | Contact the FCC for a Ship Station License (which will include an MMSI number) | FCC Ship Station Licensing |
| Use my boat in both US and International waters | Contact the FCC for a Ship Station License (which will include an MMSI number) | FCC Ship Station Licensing | |
| Sell my boat and release my MMSI number to the new owner | Contact the MMSI Issuer to arrange release. Dont know who that is? |
Click here for a pdf of MMSI allotments | |
| Buy a boat and transfer the existing MMSI registration to me | Contact the MMSI Issuer to arrange registration update. Dont know who that is? |
Click here for a pdf of MMSI allotments | |
| Federal Vessel Operator | Obtain or transfer an MMSI | Contact your agency's Spectrum Management office. | Click here to contact ntia_mmsi@ntia.gov for guidance concerning MMSIs on Federal Vessels |
MMSI Overview
Maritime Mobile Service Identities (MMSIs) are nine-digit numbers used by maritime digital selective calling (DSC), automatic identification systems (AIS), and certain other equipment to uniquely identify a ship or a coast radio station. Registered MMSIs are used by Coast Guard search and rescue watchstanders to identity vessels or persons in distress and to save lives. Registered MMSIs are regulated and managed internationally by the International Telecommunications Union in Geneva, Switzerland, and nationally by the Federal Communications Commission, just as radio call signs are regulated. The MMSI format and use is regulated in Article 19 of the ITU Radio Regulations and documented in ITU-R Recommendation M.585-9, available from the ITU at no charge.
Accurate use of MMSIs may save your life
Search and rescue authorities, including the Coast Guard, use the MMSI to learn background information about a vessel in distress (e.g., owner's name, intended route, and other radio equipment on board) and to determine whether the alert is false. An accurate MMSI database helps to protect lives and property at sea by reducing the time needed to locate vessels in distress. DSC distress calls or AIS identities with out-of-date MMSI registrations or invalid/missing positions make a resolution of real distress situations versus an inadvertent DSC alert much more difficult. It is necessary to keep the MMSI registration current. It may save your life.
Inaccurate use of MMSIs is a violation of FCC rules
FCC Enforcement Advisory No. 2016-04 MARINE RADIO - Enforcement Bureau Reminds Mariners of Marine Radio Rules Protecting Public Safety notes that “Use of inaccurate MMSIs is a violation of FCC rules, with potential impact upon safety of life and property”. If misuse is intentional or repeated, “Violators may be subject to the penalties authorized by the Communications Act, including monetary penalties as high as $16,000 for each violation. Your radio equipment may also be seized and forfeited to the U.S. Government.”