Now that DSC-ready radios are the standard and you likely have that red emergency button on the front of yours, do you know if anyone will be listening if you press it? The answer is maybe. It depends where you are in the U.S. and if you have your radio registered correctly. Currently the Pacific Northwest, the Gulf Coast and the Eastern Seaboard are the most widely implemented (what is it about California that gives us stepchild status?)
Anyway, it is important you register for a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number after you install a new radio - and you can do it for free. A Coast Guard safety alert issued Sept. 6 nicely summarizes the status of Digital Selective Calling and the prodecures to follow.
"Many marine communication devices, including marine radios equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) equipment rely upon a 9-digit Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number to identify itself and more importantly the user of the device," the document said.
It goes on to say: "Leaving the MMSI unprogrammed, entering a false identity or not updating a previously-programmed device with your own identity may delay a rescue and under certain situations is unlawful. 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.
"MMSI numbers are issued by the FCC if the vessel requires a Station License," the Document said. "Otherwise they can be obtained from Boat U.S., Sea Tow, and Shine Micro often at no charge. Those having MMSIs should keep registration information current, including phone numbers, address, name and type of boat.
"Most new marine radios have a special Distress Alerting Capability that will, upon the touch of a button, transmit a distress message which can include its identity (MMSI) and location - only if the radio has been programmed with a MMSI and is connected to a electronic positioning system (e.g. GPS, LORAN). The Coast Guard recommends DSC-equipped VHF radios for all mariners because of these capabilities."
By way of update, the document says: "The Coast Guard's Rescue 21 Project is upgrading the Coastal Network for DSC Reception. The Coast Guard has implemented an extensive project to fill gaps in its VHF coastal radio coverage and to upgrade the system for DSC operation. Rescue 21 is currently operational in portions of the Pacific Northwest, Gulf of Mexico, Florida, and the East coast. Vessels with DSC capability should not delay obtaining, registering, and/or properly entering their assigned MMSI into their radios while Rescue 21 coverage is increased. There is already an extensive watch on the DSC calling channel by other vessels who can relay alerts to the Coast Guard."
The document says the Coast Guard recommends that boats going one mile off shore should carry a VHF radio with DSC, and that vessels moving outside he standard VHF range of 20 to 30 miles should carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locater Beacon (PLB), both at 406 MHz, because these devices can be located via satellites "almost anywhere in the world."
The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System Task Force and Rescue 21 have additional information.
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Jeff McLaren is the National Sales Manager for Seawide Marine Distribution, a wholesaler distributor based in Southern California that works with all major electronics manufacturers. He has produced a series of instructional DVDs on how to use Raymarine navigation gear.
