CPC-2-3-07 - Maritime Mobile Service Identities (MMSIs)

1. Principle

Because each ship and coast station needs a unique identifier for safety and telecommunications purposes, the Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R) has recommended the adoption of an international system of automatic station identification. Consequently, the ITU has adopted in its Radio Regulations the assignment and use of Maritime Mobile Service Identities (MMSIs).

2. Mandate

Section 5(c) of the Department of Industry Act states that the Minister shall exercise powers and perform duties and functions in a manner that will increase the international competitiveness of Canadian industry, goods and services and assist in the adjustment to changing domestic and international conditions.

3. Policy

3.1 General

With new technologies becoming widely available, radiocommunication systems must be improved to meet the needs of licensees and vessel owners (the terms licensee, vessel owner and applicant are used interchangeably throughout this document). In the maritime mobile service, a vast improvement in the efficiency of radiocommunications can be realized through the use of Digital Selective Calling (DSC), which forms an integral part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). The use of DSC speeds up ship-to-shore and intership communications, as well as communications between ships and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

In order to utilize the DSC system, a station must be able to uniquely identify itself and also identify the intended addressee of the call. This identification is accomplished through the use of Maritime Mobile Service Identities (MMSIs). In support of this, Industry Canada (IC) will, at the applicant's request, assign an MMSI to Canadian ships and coast stations.

The use of the DSC system and the associated MMSIs allow worldwide access, through the PSTN and INMARSAT, to ship stations equipped with automated radiocommunication systems. Through the use of the DSC system and MMSIs, ships can place calls automatically and selectively to other ships and coast stations.

Various types of DSC calls are available, generally either distress and safety related calls, or "routine" calls. A routine call may include a public correspondence call or calls related to the operation of the ship, (e.g. to port authorities). In the case of VHF, automatic connection to the PSTN can also be established through suitably equipped coast stations.

It should be noted that IC has in the past issued five digit SELCAL numbers to vessels and four digit identification numbers to coast stations which uniquely identified a specific Narrow-band Direct Printing apparatus (NBDP) operated from a coast station or installed on board a ship. These identities do not form a part of the DSC system or GMDSS and should not be confused with the MMSI which is a nine digit number. With the new technologies, MMSIs have replaced these four and five digit identifiers and IC will not issue these numbers unless substantial justification is provided.

3.2 Eligibility

An MMSI may be issued to coast stations participating in automated radiocommunication systems and to ships which are fitted or will soon be fitted with a ship earth station or an automatic radiocommunication system, including ships fitted with DSC radios. It is not necessary that a ship have a radio licence in order to be issued an MMSI.

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4. Procedure

4.1 General

Industry Canada, as the radio licensing body in Canada, is responsible for the issuance and management of MMSIs. To obtain an MMSI, applicants must contact their nearest IC office (see Radiocommunication Information Circular 66, Addresses and Telephone Numbers of Regional and District Offices (RIC-66)) and provide the necessary vessel or coast station details. Vessel owners must also provide specific information regarding installed radio equipment and emergency contacts. If the vessel is not currently licensed and not exempt from licensing by the Radiocommunication Regulations - section 15.2, a radio licence will also be required. It should be noted that vessels not requiring a radio licence may still be issued an MMSI.

In an effort to provide more efficient services in areas of higher demand (such as on Canada's east and west coasts), many of IC's offices are able to provide MMSIs immediately over the counter, provided vessel and associated information is received. In all cases, regardless of the IC office with which the applicant is dealing, every effort will be made to ensure MMSIs are issued as quickly as possible.

All information collected is entered into IC's National Maritime Information Database (NMID) and is forwarded to the ITU for inclusion in the Maritime-mobile Access and Retrieval System (MARS) which currently serves as a temporary repository of international maritime information at the ITU. Information contained in the NMID can be accessed via the Internet through Industry Canada's Spectrum Direct website. This information is used by the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and related search and rescue agencies in the case of emergency. While the CCG and related search and rescue agencies have access to the full set of information collected, the general public does not have access to emergency contact information in either the NMID or MARS.

4.2 Obtaining an MMSI

In order to obtain an MMSI, Industry Canada requires that the applicant supply specific information depending on the kind of MMSI requested. There are three kinds of Maritime Mobile Service Identities: 

• ship station MMSIs see Annex A & B
• coast station MMSIs see Annex C
• ship station group MMSIs; and see Annex D

Application forms for each kind of MMSI are also available from Industry Canada district offices and from Industry Canada's Spectrum Direct website at: http://sd.ic.gc.ca.

4.3 Ship Station MMSI

Ship Station is by far the most common MMSI category. These comprise well over 95% of all MMSIs assigned by Industry Canada. The basic assignment principle for Ship Station MMSIs is that the same identity applies to all radio equipment on board the vessel. This consistency has to be maintained to the extent possible.

In order to obtain a ship station MMSI, the application form in Annex A or B of this document must be completed and submitted to Industry Canada. In the case of a vessel which does not require a radio licence and is only fitted with a VHF/DSC radio(s), use Annex A. If the vessel requires a radio licence or is fitted with additional equipment, use Annex B.

In the case of a change in ownership of a vessel sold with the radio equipment that has an MMSI, the assigned MMSI number should not be changed. However, the new vessel owner must contact Industry Canada to provide MMSI ownership information changes. If the vessel or vessel ownership involves a change in the country with which the vessel is registered and MMSI assigned, then a new MMSI assigned by the country of registration is required and must be programmed into the radio equipment. If this is the case, submit a new MMSI request to IC.

Where there is a change in ownership of only the radio equipment that has an assigned MMSI, a new MMSI number is required for the radio. The vessel owner acquiring the radio must submit an MMSI application form to IC, who will assign a new MMSI number that is to be programmed into the radio equipment.

Where an MMSI is assigned and subsequently an INMARSAT mobile earth station is installed (of standard B, C or M) a new MMSI number is required. The vessel owner must submit an MMSI application form to Industry Canada which will assign a new MMSI number that must be re-programmed into all the radio equipment.

Annex E at the end of this document contains information concerning the various ITU codes to be used in completing the relevant Annex.

Note: Register any Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) with the National Search and Rescue Secretariat, online at http://canadianbeaconregistry.forces.gc.ca or by phone 1-877-406-7671.

4.4 Ship Station Group MMSI

A Ship Station Group MMSI is typically issued to a group of vessels where it is desirable that a specific group of vessels be contacted at the same time with one call. Each ship in such a group must also have an individual MMSI. One person, acting as contact person on behalf of the group, must apply to Industry Canada for a Ship Station Group MMSI using the application form in Annex D of this document.

4.5 Coast Station MMSI

A coast station MMSI is typically issued to a coast station which is to be involved with automatic communications with vessels. Generally speaking, coast station MMSIs are only issued to CCG stations or other coast stations with large fleets of vessels such as a fishing company or tug boat operation. Any such station also requires a radio licence. In order to obtain a coast station MMSI, the appropriate coast station information must be provided to Industry Canada using the form in Annex C of this document.

4.6 Licensee and Vessel Owner Responsibility

The importance of maintaining current and valid information for assigned MMSIs contained in the National Maritime Information Database cannot be stressed enough. If the MMSI information in this database is not accurate, rescue efforts in the event of an emergency could be compromised. It is the responsibility of the licensee and vessel owner to ensure that information supplied at the time of applying for an MMSI is accurate. Further, it is the licensee's and vessel owner's responsibility to inform Industry Canada should this information change (see Section 4.3 Ship Station MMSI).

For a vessel owner, such additional or update information could include (but is not limited to) information regarding a change of ownership, a vessel name change, a change in the requirement to hold a valid radio licence (i.e. the vessel had a valid radio licence but is now exempted), a change in vessel classification or tonnage, or that some radio equipment making use of an MMSI is being installed or removed from the vessel.

Licensees and vessel owners in possession of an MMSI for use with their VHF DSC radio equipment are urged to also consult Radio Standards Specification 182, Maritime Radio Transmitters and Receivers in the Band 156-162.5 MHz (RSS-182). RSS-182 clearly indicates that MMSIs can only be programmed into VHF DSC radio equipment by qualified radio service/maintenance personnel.