I checked on my MMSi registration. Everything looks good. But I did notice the new criteria below.
MMSI Registration - Maritime Mobile Service Identity - BoatUS
Registration Criteria
BoatUS has been authorized by both the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Coast Guard to assign MMSI numbers only to vessels that meet the following criteria:
- Used for recreation only
- Not required by law to carry a radio
- Do not make international voyages or communications
[h=5]Do NOT Register with BoatUS MMSI if:[/h]
- your vessel is required to carry a radio onboard (“Compulsory Equipped”
- you plan to visit or communicate in a foreign port including Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, and the British Virgin Islands
If either of the above conditions apply, you are legally required to obtain a Ship Station License from the
FCC. They will issue an appropriate
MMSI with the License.
NOTE: when traveling to foreign ports, you are required to have a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit holder aboard.
---------- Post added March 12th, 2015 at 06:02 PM ----------
I found this page from Nautilus.
MMSI in USA
Technically, as a Boating organization, our MMSI registration database was created for Fixed Mount VHF’s on board recreational vessels cruising in U.S. waters only. The MMSI numbers themselves are coded as such. However, with the influx of VHF Handhelds that have hit the market, we have made accommodations for those to be registered as well, since they were also to be used in connection with boating.
Now the technology has expanded to non-boating related VHF Portables which also require an MMSI, yet there has not been an entity created to register them for an MMSI coded to signal this type of use.
We are discussing this issue with the Coast Guard and FCC, but in the meantime, since Boat U.S. appears to be the only potential source for an MMSI for this type of VHF, here is what you can do:
Go ahead and obtain your MMSI through the Boat U.S. database at
MMSI Registration - Maritime Mobile Service Identity - BoatUS but when you get to the second page of the application complete the required fields as follows:
Visit: http://www.boatus.com/mmsi
Boat Type: XXX-Unspecified
Registration or Documentation #: None
Home Port: Area where you are most likely to be diving
Capacity: 1 (or more if you regularly dive with someone)
Radio Installation Type: Portable VHF/DSC/GPS
Remarks: This is a portable VHF for Scuba Diving and not associated with a particular boat. It will be used in [these] areas.
You will be able to login and update the registration at any point to include current locations should they change periodically.