From the USCG publication, "Waypoints"


December 2007 | Issue No. 32



News from the U.S. Coast Guard

Programming Marine Radio and AIS Equipment

Statistics show that many mariners in distress do not properly
identify themselves nor provide a precise location when radioing for
help, which delays rescue services in arriving at the scene quickly
and providing the assistance needed. Many marine communication
devices, including marine radios equipped with Digital Selective
Calling (DSC) and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) equipment
rely upon a 9-digit Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number to
identify itself and more importantly the user of the device.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the National GMDSS Task Force1 is concerned
that many users of these devices are not obtaining, registering, and/
or properly entering their assigned MMSI into these devices. Lack of
an MMSI will make some of these devices inoperable, such as AIS, or
incapable of operating advanced features2 or distress alerting
capabilities of the device. Leaving the MMSI un-programmed, entering a
false identity, or not updating a previously programmed device with
your own identity may delay a rescue and under certain situations is
unlawful.

MMSI use and registration greatly assists the U.S. Coast Guard in
responding to an alert since it contains a description of the vessel
and telephone numbers used to contact the vessel's owner or point of
contact in an emergency. MMSI numbers are issued by the FCC if the
vessel requires a Station License, otherwise they can be obtained from
Boat U.S. (www.boatus.com/mmsi), Sea Tow (www.seatow.com/
boating_safety/mmsi), and Shine Micro (www.shinemicro.com), often at
no charge. Those having MMSIs should keep registration information
current, including phone numbers, address, name, and type of boat.

Most new marine radios have a special Distress Alerting Capability
that will, upon the touch of a button, transmit a distress message
that can include its identity (MMSI) and location -- only if the radio
has been programmed with an MMSI and is connected to a electronic
positioning system (e.g. GPS, LORAN). The Coast Guard recommends DSC-
equipped VHF radios for all mariners because of these capabilities.

The Task Force is also on record recommending that all vessels going
as much as one mile offshore should carry a VHF radio (preferably DSC)
and if exceeding VHF range (20-30 miles) should carry a 406 MHz
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or a 406 MHz
Personal Locater Beacon (PLB) which can be detected by search and
rescue satellites almost anywhere in the world.

Coast Guard's Rescue 21 Project Is Upgrading the Coastal Network for
DSC Reception

The Coast Guard has implemented an extensive project to fill gaps in
its VHF coastal radio coverage and to upgrade the system for DSC
operation. Rescue 21 is currently operational in portions of the
Pacific Northwest, Gulf of Mexico, Florida, and the East Coast.
Vessels with DSC capability should not delay obtaining, registering,
and/or properly entering their assigned MMSI into their radios while
Rescue 21 coverage is increased. There is already an extensive watch
on the DSC calling channel by other vessels that can relay alerts to
the Coast Guard.

Visit these websites (or e-mail) for additional information:

AIS, DSC, GMDSS at www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms or
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System Task Force at

Rescue 21 at http://www.uscg.mil/rescue21/home
RTCM at www.rtcm.org or

This material is provided for informational purpose only and does not
relieve any existing domestic or international safety, operational or
material requirement.

1 The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) Task Force
was created by the Coast Guard to assist the government in
implementing this new global radio safety system. The GMDSS Task Force
is sponsored by the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services
(RTCM). This safety alert is directed primarily to organizations and
media, which cater to Recreational Vessels and small Commercial
Vessels.

2 In addition to the distress alerting capability, DSC radios have the
ability to make routine calls amongst each other, usually by entering
the radio's MMSI and touching the transmit button. Once the two radios
have connected, they automatically switch to a communication channel
so that a conversation can take place. This is all done without having
to hail by a voice call and/or use channel 16.