Section 80.103, Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Operating Procedures; Maritime Mobile Services Identity (MMSI)

The Commission requires owners of marine VHF radios with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) capability to register information such as name, address, and type of vessel with a private entity issuing marine mobile service identities (MMSIs) through the ship station licensing process, however those ship stations operating domestically are not required to obtain an individual license and are licensed by rule. The Commission developed procedures to privatize the issuance of MMSIs by providing blocks of MMSI numbers to qualified entities for distribution to ship vessel operators that are not required by law to carry a radio and do not make international voyages or communications. The Commission has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Coast Guard and the private entities to collect the data that is on Attachment A (see information collection instrument section of ROCIS). The information collection is necessary to register data with a private entity that will be used by U.S. Coast Guard search and rescue personnel to identify vessels in distress and to select the proper rescue units and search methods.

The latest form for Section 80.103, Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Operating Procedures; Maritime Mobile Services Identity (MMSI) expires 2021-07-31 and can be found here.

Section 80.103, Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Operating Procedures; Maritime Mobile Services Identity (MMSI)

Federal Enterprise Architecture: General Government - Central Fiscal Operations