How are MMSI assignments obtained?Non-commercial users, such as recreational users, who remainin United States waters and only carry VHF, EPIRB (EmergencyPosition Indicating Radio Beacons), and Radar are not required tohave a FCC ship station license. The FCC and Coast Guard haveauthorized some second and third party vendors to assign MMSInumbers. This service is limited to registering recreational vesselsonly. To receive information on how to obtain a recreational MMSInumber, contact http://www.uscg.mil/rescue21/links/mmsi.htm orhttp://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/.Non-Federal Users in the United StatesCommercial users, or those who travel outside the United States orCanada, must apply for a ship station license or an amendment to aship station license. To find out if you require a Ship Station license,contact http://wireless.fcc.gov/marine/fctsht14.html. If your vesselrequires licensing by the FCC, you will obtain a MMSI during theapplication/licensing process when you file FCC Forms 159 and605.Federal Users in the United StatesFederal users can obtain MMSI assignments from their agencyradio spectrum management office. These procedures are currentlyunder review by the National Telecommunications and InformationAdministration (NTIA).Users Outside the United StatesUsers can obtain an MMSI assignment from their telecommunicationsauthority or ship registry, often by obtaining or amending their shipstation license.Users In CanadaIndustry Canada is responsible for assigning MMSI numbers tocommercial and recreational vessels. Information is available at thefollowing Web site: http://apollo.ic.gc.ca/english/mmsi.html.How can Garmin help you with DSC?To receive Distress Calls or Position Reports, you must have a DSC-equipped chartplotter as well as a VHF radio with DSC support.During normal, non-emergency Position Report communication,Channel 70 (156.525 MHz) has been set aside as the VHF/DSCdigital call channel.For a Distress Call, press the MayDay button on the VHF radio.The call transmits on an emergency channel with the MMSI numberattached to the call, if the receiver has DSC support. Any DSC-equipped mariner (on sea or land) within range can receive the call.When the GPSMAP 276C is connected to a VHF with DSC support,the GPS unit displays a Call List, Log, and a Directory. Basic wiringis required for the Garmin unit and VHF radio to send and receiveNMEA data from each other.114 GPSMAP 276C Owner’s ManualAPPENDIX > D IGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING (DSC)
