To me, one of the coolest bits of technology as far as marine safety goes involves automatic identification of ships and their movement. When you have an AIS receiver, you have access to all kinds of information that commercial ships, by law in many countries, have to provide. Speed, course, even the ship’s name. Figuring out how close a ship is REALLY going to come is made far easier, making night watches less stressful and upping the safety factor. When you have a way of transmitting your own information, it means big ships can see you easily.

What does all this have to do with an MMSI? Simply, an MMSI is a nine-digit number that’s a registered unique identifier, tied to your boat and linked to all the information about the boat. Get a new radio for the boat, and you’ll have to either get a new MMSI or link the one you already have. The number is programmed into the radio or other device; if you buy a second-hand radio, it’s highly probable you’ll have to send the radio back to the manufacturer to change the existing MMSI to yours.

If your plan is to only sail in domestic waters, and never communicate with foreign vessels (or vessels in foreign waters), you can get an MMSI number without obtaining a ship’s radio station license. Easily (and cheaply) done through sites like BoatUS and the US Power Squadron, this MMSI is good ONLY within the US.

If you’ve got cruising plans that will carry you further afield, though, you’ll have to go the more complicated, FCC Ships Radio Station license route for an MMSI. This is a bit convoluted, and certainly more expensive. Some countries ask for proof of this license on entry. Changing from a domestic number to an international one is not easy and may require sending the radio off for reprogramming.

So here you go. I present to you some notes on applying for a Ships Radio License, which will enable you to get an international MMSI. It’s complicated, involving 2 separate websites with 2 separate passwords (unless you give them the same password) and a lot of gobbledygook I spent a lot of time googling and yelling about. Hopefully I’m saving you some of that heartache.

1) Obtain a FCC Registration Number (FRN)

1. go to https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do and create an account. You’ll immediately get a number. Keep this handy. THIS IS THE FRN mentioned a few times below!

2) Apply for a Ships license

1. go to https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/licManager/login.jsp (yes, a separate website)

2. LOG IN using the FRN you just got, plus the password you used on the FCC site where you got that FRN

3. Apply for a new license

A few things to note on the ULS application form

• #3: You are NOT an STA 

• #7: You are NOT rule waived

• #8: highly likely that you have NO attachments (unless you have some)

• #9: is that FRN we’ve talked about a bunch already

• #10: you are an INDIVIDUAL applying

• #26 and #27: fee status - unfortunately it’s highly unlikely that you’re exempt

Schedule B specifics that I had trouble with

• #4: regular license

• #5 (class of ship) pleasure, then sailing ship

“Sign” it, then you need to pay. 

YOU’RE NOT DONE!

To pay, you’ll log back into that first website, then click on “Manage existing FRNs”, then FRN Financial. Go ahead and grab a credit card. Be prepared for sticker shock, though - a 10 year ships license plus the application fee will set you back $220.

Within 24-48 hours you should have your shiny new MMSI number and be able to program any AIS or EPIRB or DSC radio. NOTE: (US-based only) if the device you’re dealing with has previously had an MMSI programmed into it, you will have to contact the manufacturer about a reprogram. 

Note: if you’re having any trouble at all, the FCC customer support service by telephone (888) 225-5322 is remarkably fantastic. The times I have had to call have inevitably consisted of patient, calm, genuinely helpful interactions resulting in my issue being fully resolved. Don’t hesitate to call for assistance!