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MMSI

All vessels operating on the high seas require a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number to participate in the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS). In addition to GMDSS participation the MMSI number also serves as a unique identifier of the vessel for all communications. As the international governing body for telecommunications the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has set the international conventions for the use of MMSI numbers. MMSI number is a 9-digit code issued by the host country agency for use in VHF marine radio equipment, AIS transponders, EPIRB's, and all INMARSAT satellite terminals. By international agreement, the ITU sets the rules that determine how MMSI's are assigned and used. In the United States the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and in Canada Industry Canada (IC) are responsible for actually assigning MMSI's to commercial and recreational vessels. (See MMSI and AIS Transponders for more.)

Further detail on the format for US MMSI numbers can be found on the USCG website.

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