makena Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Hi I bought a (first) boat last year with a VHF radio already fitted I have my MROCC Short Range Certificate and have used (probably misused) the radio from time to time without giving MMSI much thought until I filled in the PBSAC membership form that asked for it...and then the www sent me off to Ofcom and their registration pages - but the deeper I go into that the less likely it seems e.g. Their options for "What type of vessel" doesn't include anything much like a 6.3M outboard sports fisher... ...and then my old RYA course book says the MMSI comes with the radio - if that's right then how do I identify it? I went to the itu "Maritime mobile Access and Retrieval System (MARS)" database and found the most likely boat with the same name (there were more than I imagined - which makes me think I might be brave and change it...) and it tells me: Call Sign : 2ACK8 MMSI : 235058611 ..it also says the boat is a PL "MTB" - but it isn't really fitted with torpedoes (I promise) ...so where does that leave me? OK so I probably wasn't listening when we did that bit in the course... but any suggestions? What do I need to do to get registered and correct the itu entry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 The previous owner should have programmed the MMSI in to the radio - I think you can change it twice then it is burnt in and only a dealer can reset it. Have a look in the radio - it should hold the information you are looking for. Also, if the boat was registered with CG66 previously, you should be able to find the MMSI. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makena Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Ok yes thanks - I'm getting there. I found the radio handbook and it tells me how to check what the MMS ID actually is...it also says I can't change it. But I'm still unclear about OFCOM licensing and registration - does it matter who's name is in the itu database? - maybe it is only the boat registration that is important...? Or do I need to register it in my name? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan F (bathclaret) Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Hi Jon, I can answer some of your questions. The MMSI does NOT come with the radio. It's issued by Ofcom when you apply for the licence and you enter it into the radio as part of the initial setup. I guess it varies by radio type, but on mine thereafter the MMSI code can only be wiped/changed by a dealer, so you may have some fun when you apply for a new Ships licence. Licences are not transferable, so you will need to apply for a new one. The licence is free of course. My Warrior 175 is a "Pleasure Ship" according to Ofcom. Well it was yesterday. I'd start with Ofcom, sort the legal bit, then just find out how to swap MMSI on the radio. Hope this helps, Duncan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan F (bathclaret) Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Ah sorry,. a few of us answering at the same time. INtended use: Pleasure ship Type: PH Fishing Vessel. Oh and for anyone reading this with an old licence I just tried to access their systems with the username and web password they issued back in 2008. You can't - they have changed so now you login with an email address and you have to call them for a password! Duncan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makena Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Thanks Duncan - will do BTW (these are my first posts) can you tell why I am labelled a 'minnow basher'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pirky Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 (edited) I went through the same process last year.... I eventually phoned the licensing dept at OFCOM and a very helpful lady put it all right for me..... MMSI was already in the radio She took the previous owners name and did a search which revealed all details ... MMSI no, call sign, address of registered owner and licence holder, Boat name and description .... When I filled in my licence form it asked if there is an original MMSI number or do you need to generate one ... Easy once the lady assisted..... pain if you do it on ur own..... [ have to say the first person I spoke to at Ofcom was not helpful at all...try, try,try again ] Good luck Dave Edited February 27, 2012 by pirky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makena Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Thanks - I will persevere...hmm "Marlin Master" that's impressive but what does it mean? ..."Minnow Basher"!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan F (bathclaret) Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Look. The inner workings of Government bureaucracy we can fathom in an instant. The mysteries of the PBSAC web forum however... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makena Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Hmm...it has to be the number of posts - I can't find any minnows with less than 10 But what has it go to do with cricket? BTW I'm John - I will get the etiquette at some point... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Hi John and welcome to pbsbac. Reading your first few posts I think you will fit in here nicely. More important than ofcom etc is getting yourself signed up as a proper member of this club As you say the amount of posts you make give you your title as follows: Minnow Basher 0 Pout Catcher 10 Dogfish Specialist 50 Cod Hauler 120 Shark Chaser 300 Marlin Master 1000 Not quite sure what that make me......probably old and worn out Enjoy the forum and the banter Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makena Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Thanks for the warm welcome Martin - will I see you on Thursday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 As Dave (Pirky) said the MMSI stays with the boat and is transfered to you when you apply for a Ships Radio Licence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Thanks for the warm welcome Martin - will I see you on Thursday? Only if you come to the meeting I'll be the man in the middle of the top table, unless Tony D (Chairman) can get a stannah lift fitted before then Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makena Posted April 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 I finally got around to making the application for a license and it didn't work quite as expected or suggested above. Maybe the system has changed...The application and acceptance (issue of a license) was entirely online, automated and took 10 minutes (mostly spent trying to work out my gross tonnage). Having looked at the register before hand I was able to quote the Name, address and MMSI of the previous owner and OFCOM provided me with a license with the same MMSI that he had. I can only imagine that the previous owner was such a good chap he took the trouble to cancel or return his license/or he took out a new one. In any event there were no hastles at all - no need to change the radio settings etc... If only all bureaucratic stuff in life was like this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makena Posted April 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 ...I should be clearer (for anyone treading the same path in the future) the 'register' that I refer to is the "Maritime mobile Access and Retrieval System (MARS)" database: http://www.itu.int/online/mms/mars/ship_search.sh - seems like if you have all the information its as easy as shooting a fish in a barrel (although I can't for the life of me think of any reason someone would want to do that...) John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 I always thought that the MMSI was a number for the boat and not the owner, so it should stay with the craft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makena Posted April 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 I think you are right Rob - what has been confusing is the idea that the MMSI code on the radio can only be wiped/changed by a dealer. But if you buy the radio with the boat that isn't an issue - its a red herring. The good thing about dealing with such things is that the process of sorting them out often helps you understand the underlying principles better. There should be an educational equivalent to the aphorism 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'...ahh found it: Wisdom is the daughter of experience. (DA VINCI!) - or: Necessity teaches wisdom, while prosperity makes fools. (CALCOTT). I like the last one as it seems to suggest there may be some logic to 'beginners luck' and I could use a lot of that with my fishing right now... there are so many recommended rigs and marks for each species! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 so have you sorted out the CG 66 as well now? I always thought that the concept of marks, and fish specific rigs, was overplayed - what happened to anchoring where you feel like and feeding the occassional dogfish with overpriced bait? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makena Posted April 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 So this is a new challenge... the form seems to suggest I need a Small Ships Registration No. is that right? That seems a bit uneccesary. ...And is cruising speed what I normally do or what the boat can do on a good day with the wind and tides behind it? ...And what is "Cruising Endurance Under Power" - is that how far I can go if I don't want to come back? I will have a crack at it tomorrow John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 you don't need an SSR for a CG66 entry, it's just their way of providing as many database references as possible - SSR, MMSI, ... they are still multiple databases at their end! the tough part of this test is the picture of your boat as it would look in distress..... yes to your other questions - if you go missing they will try and work out where you might be... so it's how far you could go rather than how far you might prudently aim to go (and get back). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 the tough part of this test is the picture of your boat as it would look in distress..... So maybe a picture of the underside? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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