Getting a Maritime Mobile Service Identity in Thailand

[watboy]

As i'm paranoid about being left at sea, I ordered myself a lifeline nautilus. To enable one of the automated distress features, the device needs a Maritime Mobile Service Identity number. Supposedly, for Thailand the issuing body is the NTC. I called the NTC and as expected, they had no clue what I was talking about. Anyone operate a marine radio and have had to get an MMSI in Thailand?

 

[BenVM]

Hi Watboy,

I am in the same situation and I'm wondering if you had any luck with getting an MMSI in Thaialnd.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Quero]

It's my understanding that in Thailand MMSI numbers are only issued to ships and their required radios. So you should just register your Lifeline in North America or Europe if you can. If you need assistance, the device will transmit an SOS, and maritime law requires that any boat in the vicinity of an emergency transmission must render assistance whether they recognize the MMSI or not. If you've sent out an emergency call with a device that's not registered in the area where you're diving, you may have to pay a small fine, but who cares? Pay the fine and get rescued! I own two of these devices for local use, and I've registered mine through boatus.com

 

[BenVM]

Thanks Quero. Your post was really helpful.

 

[Quero]

My pleasure, Ben. Any time!