MMSI

What is an MMSI number?

What is the difference between a 9-digit and 10-digit MMSI number?

Does your vessel have a VHF radio with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) button?

Does your vessel have an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) onboard?

Does your vessel visit foreign ports of call (e.g. Bahamas, Mexico, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands, etc.)?

Depending on where you intend to travel with your vessel and what equipment you have onboard, you may need to obtain an MMSI number, a ship station license, or perhaps need to register a Beacon ID. 

The U.S. Power Squadrons is authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the U.S. Coast Guard to issue MMSIs to US flagged vessels not subject to Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention requirements.  This includes almost all recreational boats.

Vessels required to have FCC ship station licenses, including US flagged pleasure craft making international voyages, must obtain their MMSIs directly from the Federal Communications Commission.

In summary, if you are traveling internationally, you need to file Form 605 with the FCC to obtain a Ship Station License, which comes with a MMSI. 

Click Here to learn all about MMSIs and Beacon IDs