Modern marine radios now feature Digital Selective Calling (DSC) for routine operations and for automated distress hailing.
These features can only be used if your radio is programmed with a unique code called a Maritime Mobile Service Identity, or MMSI.

The United States Power Squadrons is authorized by the Federal Communications Commission
and the US Coast Guard to issue MMSIs to US flagged vessels not subject to Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention requirements.
This includes almost all recreational boats.
Vessels required to have FCC ship station licenses, including US flagged pleasure craft making international voyages,
must obtain their MMSIs directly from the Federal Communications Commission.

Click here to find out if you qualify for a MMSI under this registration program.

This web site will be your portal to obtaining a MMSI for your vessel at no charge.
The issued MMSI will be unique to your boat and must be programmed into all equipment
capable of transmitting and receiving digital signals.

Our Canadian friends can obtain MMSIs from Industry Canada / Industrie Canada