commercial ships and leisure craft visiting countries
outside of the US (includes Canada, the Bahamas,
and Mexico). You cannot go into another country
without FCC documentation.
If you’re staying within US waters, you can get an
MMSI from:
• Boat US: http://www.boatus.com/mmsi/
• U.S. Power Squadron:
http://www.usps.org/php/mmsi/home.php
• NOTE that the MMSI number is assigned to the vessel,
not the radio. The contact information must be up to
date and accurate.
n
Icom’s class D Dsc RaDIos:
• Learn more about the wonderful safety advantages
of an Icom Class D VHF DSC radio by looking at the
following: www.boatus.com/foundation/dsc/player.html.
• Icom sets the standards for Class D DSC VHF radios.
Check out their complete line of marine radios at:
www.icomamerica.com/en/marine/
OPERATION GUIDE
CLASS D DSC
n
WHaT Is Dsc
DSC stands for “Digital Selective Calling” and
is a semi-automated method of establishing a
radio call; it has been designated by the In-
ternational Maritime Organization (IMO) as
an international standard for maritime MF, HF,
and VHF radio distress calls. It is part of the
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(GMDSS). DSC may eventually replace aural
watches on distress frequencies and will be
used to announce routine and urgent calls,
and distress alerts. DSC callouts may precede
maritime safety information broadcasts.
n
HoW DoEs Dsc WoRK
DSC uses a digital signal to send a specific
set of information. To have it work, you need
the following:
• The vessel must be equipped with DSC
capable radio. It is best to have a Class D
©2011 Icom America Inc. The Icom logo is a registered trademark of Icom Inc.
41078
‘voice chatter’ that would normally be heard on
VHF-FM voice hailing Channel 16.
Once the vessel has been registered for an MMSI
number, the information you provided will help in
the event that you’re sending a distress alert.
n
THE coasT GuaRD anD Dsc
The Coast Guard will use DSC to listen for
distress calls, initiate communications, and
announce urgent maritime information.
n
HoW To GET a mmsI numbER
All vessels operating on the high seas require a
MMSI number to participate in the Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System. There are four types
of MMSI numbers, each intended for a certain
purpose. The types are assigned to one of the
following:
• An individual vessel (ship station identity)
• Groups of vessels (group ship station identity)
• A shore-side facility (coast station identity)
• A group of shore-side facilities (group coast
station identities)
The FCC has jurisdiction over US flagged ves-
sels. The FCC has a radio station license require-
ment and is the issuing authority for MMSIs for
all vessels subject to international law including
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2380 116th Ave NE, Bellevue WA 98004
Phone: 425-454-8155, www.icomamerica.com
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