APPENDIX > DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC)

How Are MMSI Assignments Obtained?

Non-commercial users, such as recreational users, who remain in United States waters and only carry VHF, EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons), and Radar are not required to have a FCC ship station license. The FCC and Coast Guard have authorized some second and third party vendors to assign MMSI numbers. This service is limited to registering recreational vessels only. To receive information on how to obtain a recreational MMSI number contact http://www.uscg.mil/rescue21/links/mmsi.htm or http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/.

United States Non-Federal User

Commercial users, or those who travel outside the United States or Canada, must apply for a ship station license or an amendment to a ship station license. To find out if you require a Ship Station license contact http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/fctsht14.html. If your vessel requires licensing by the FCC, a MMSI is assigned to you during the application/licensing process when you file FCC Forms 159 and 605.

United States Federal User

Federal users can obtain MMSI assignments from their agency radio spectrum management office. These procedures are currently under review by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

User Outside the United States

Users can obtain an MMSI assignment from their telecommunications authority or ship registry, often by obtaining or amending their ship station license.

User In Canada

Industry Canada is responsible for assigning MMSI numbers to commercial and recreational vessels. Information is available at the following Web site: http://apollo.ic.gc.ca/english/mmsi.html.

How Can Garmin Help You with DSC?

To receive Distress Calls or Position Reports, you must have a DSC- equipped chartplotter as well as a VHF radio with DSC support. During normal, non-emergency Position Report communication, Channel 70 (156.525 MHz) has been set aside as the VHF/DSC digital call channel.

For a Distress Call, press the MayDay button on the VHF radio. The call transmits on an emergency channel with the MMSI number attached to the call, if the receiver has DSC support. Any DSC- equipped mariner (on sea or land) within range can receive the call.

When the Garmin GPSMAP 296 is connected to a VHF with DSC support, the GPS unit shows a Call List, Log, and a Directory. Basic wiring is required for the Garmin unit and VHF radio to send and receive NMEA data from each other.

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GPSMAP 296 Pilot’s Guide