Registering for an International MMSI!
First off, let me explain what an MMSI is. On board Liahona, we have a VHF radio for contacting other boats, or even the Coast Guard should we need assistance. You can also contact marinas and bridge operators with a VHF radio. Some VHF's come with something called DSC, or Digital Selective Calling. You can read more about DSC here . To use DSC for emergencies, or to just let people call you specifically over VHF, you need an MMSI. If you're planning on staying in the USA, you can get one of these numbers for free through a few companies set up for it, like BoatUS , or SeaTow . However, if you plan on cruising in international waters, you must obtain your MMSI through the FCC. Being a government entity, it can get a little hairy trying to apply for everything you need through them. Here's what happened when we applied. I searched around the FCC website for a while looking for the first steps in applying for an international MMSI. Finally, I figured out how to apply fo...