Here is some basic information about MMSI numbers, what they are, and why they are important.  In addition, you will find information on what to do if you sell your boat.

The MMSI number is akin to a cell number and is a unique number assign to a Digital Selective Calling Radio and used to identify the vessel. The information provided when obtaining an MMSI number is provided to the Coast Guard for use in emergency situations. 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. Those having MMSIs should keep registration information current, including phone numbers, address, name and type of boat. 
· MMSI numbers are issued by the FCC if the vessel requires a Station License, otherwise (recreational use) 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. 
· Recreational MMSI numbers are for US registered or documented, recreational vessels under 65’ that are not visiting or communicating with foreign ports. The registration data provided during registration is only transferred into the U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Database (MISLE). International search & rescue agencies do not have access to this registration data.  
 
If you sell the boat:   
  • If you kept all the radios that had the same MMSI number programmed into them, you can update your registration with the new boat information when/if a new boat is bought. 
  • If all the radios that are programmed with the MMSI number have been given to the new owner, you must transfer the MMSI number to the new owner’s information by logging into your MMSI account and selecting the “Transfer to New Owner” button. 
  •  If you do not know which organization registered your MMSI number, you can identify that organization by comparing the existing MMSI against those listed in the document:  https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/MMSIAllotments.pdf
  • Transferring the MMSI to a new owner cancels your MMSI registration and avoids having any future distress calls from that MMSI number linked to your/your info. The new owner will then receive an email with instructions on how to claim the MMSI number.
  •  If you retained one or more of the radios with the MMSI number and the new owner also has one or more radios with the MMSI number programmed into it, you will need to work with the new owner to determine who is going to be responsible for obtaining a new MMSI number and having the radio(s) reprogrammed. It is critically important that two individuals are NOT using the same MMSI number on different boats. '
  • If you buy a radio that has an existing MMSI programmed in, If the MMSI number was assigned by BoatUS and the previous owner has cancelled their registration, BoatUS can transfer that programmed MMSI number to the new owner. If the previous owner has not closed the account, they will attempt to contact that customer to verify that they are not still using that number in another radio. If the previous owner cannot be contacted or is still improperly using the MMSI, you will need to reprogram the radio with a new number. To check if the MMSI was assigned through BoatUS, you can email here: mmsi@boatus.com.  (*If not through BoatUs, you should be able to contact SeaTow, etc., the same way) 
  •  If you need to obtain a new MMSI number and program it into a radio with an existing MMSI number, the MMSI number must first be removed from the radio. This must be done at the factory, or boat dealer.   
· Cobra offers this service on currently sold models 
· If in warranty or you are a BoatUs member, there is no fee. 
· If the radio is not in warranty or you are not a member, the fee is $39.95. 
· Many marine dealers can also offer this service.  For older model radios, this will be the only option for resetting the radio.
 
Important note: When programming the MMIS number into the radio, you only have 2 attempts to do it correctly. Once the radio has accepted the MMSI number, it cannot be changed easily. To program a new (or the correct) MMSI number, it must be sent into the manufacturer to be reset.  Some marine dealers will be able to assist with this process, as well, but the information is not available to the public due to FCC regulations.


**For customers outside the US, please contact one of our GlobalPartners HERE.


We hope you find this information useful.

Thank you,
Cedar Support