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GMDSS console (file image
courtesy Slawomirs / Creative Commons) |
(MarEx)On Monday, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission
issued a formal enforcement advisory to mariners regarding the setup of their
AIS devices and their radio Digital Selective Calling (DSC) systems.
issued a formal enforcement advisory to mariners regarding the setup of their
AIS devices and their radio Digital Selective Calling (DSC) systems.
Improper
data in the setup of these two systems can compromise SAR efforts, resulting in
some cases in misdirecting emergency responders and alerting the wrong
emergency contacts, the FCC says.
An AIS transponder broadcasts route, speed, heading, and
ships’ particulars, among other information; DSC refers to a format for sending
digital messages via marine band MF/HF and VHF (GMDSS) equipment, including
automatically formatted distress alerts.
Both AIS and DSC include transmission
of a vessel’s MMSI number, which is used as a unique identifier for federal
agencies, including the Coast Guard. The wrong MMSI may lead to false
identification.
ships’ particulars, among other information; DSC refers to a format for sending
digital messages via marine band MF/HF and VHF (GMDSS) equipment, including
automatically formatted distress alerts.
Both AIS and DSC include transmission
of a vessel’s MMSI number, which is used as a unique identifier for federal
agencies, including the Coast Guard. The wrong MMSI may lead to false
identification.
Several common situations lead to improper MMSI data in
radio setup, the agency said. First, if an owner decides to get an FCC-issued
MMSI to replace a foreign-issued or agent-issued number, the owner must stop
using the old number.
radio setup, the agency said. First, if an owner decides to get an FCC-issued
MMSI to replace a foreign-issued or agent-issued number, the owner must stop
using the old number.
Second, in the event that a vessel is sold or
transferred, records associated with the MMSI (either through private
registration agent or FCC registration) must be updated with the new owner’s
information, including emergency contact.
transferred, records associated with the MMSI (either through private
registration agent or FCC registration) must be updated with the new owner’s
information, including emergency contact.
Third, buyers and sellers of used
marine radios must make sure that they are using the correct MMSI – and
must ensure that both parties don’t end up using the same MMSI by mistake.
marine radios must make sure that they are using the correct MMSI – and
must ensure that both parties don’t end up using the same MMSI by mistake.
Lastly, AIS equipment is occasionally tested on land,
often using a fabricated MMSI entry. The FCC warns that testing areas must be
licensed, and can obtain their own specific MMSI for the purpose.
often using a fabricated MMSI entry. The FCC warns that testing areas must be
licensed, and can obtain their own specific MMSI for the purpose.
The FCC warns that improper MMSI entries have safety and
security implications – notably in regards to the Coast
Guard’s maritime domain awareness for vessels approaching U.S. ports.
security implications – notably in regards to the Coast
Guard’s maritime domain awareness for vessels approaching U.S. ports.
Violations stemming from the use of inaccurate MMSIs are punishable by a fine
of as much as $16,000 per instance, and may result in confiscation of radio
equipment.
of as much as $16,000 per instance, and may result in confiscation of radio
equipment.
