Digital Selective Calling (Dsc); What Is A Maritime Mobile Service Identity (Mmsi) Number - Garmin West Marine 276C Plus Owner's Manual

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PPENDIX IGITAL ELECTIVE

Digital Selective Calling (DSC)

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) uses marine VHF radio and Global
Positioning System (GPS) technologies to transmit and receive
location information. DSC is used by mariners to assist them in two
major areas: Distress Calls and Position Reporting.
A non-emergency DSC Position Report allows mariners to exchange
and display their positions. When you receive a DSC position,
you can create a waypoint or to show the received position on an
electronic map.
An emergency DSC Distress Call allows a vessel in trouble
to transmit a substantial amount of information in a single
transmission, or "call," without the need for voice communication.
When any nearby rescuer receives the DSC signal, an alarm sounds,
and they immediately receive the position of the caller.
The rescuer may then choose to navigate (Go To) the caller's
position to assist or forward the call on to the Coast Guard. When
the Coast Guard receives the call, they can immediately access the
caller's information (such as who they are and the type of vessel) in
their database while they are in transit to the caller's position.
Any time a vessel receives a DSC call, they can store that location
and quickly navigate to that position using a Go To. This makes
DSC a time-saver, especially in an emergency situation. In order to
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use DSC, users must first register their VHF radio with the FCC and
receive a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number.
What is a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)
number?
Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) basically allows a VHF
radio to act like a phone. The 9-digit MMSI number acts like a
phone number when used in a Position Report and as a unique
identifier to the Coast Guard when used in an emergency Distress
Call. To obtain a Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number,
users must register their VHF radio with the FCC (Form 605).
Garmin does not supply this number!
For more information regarding MMSI numbers, visit http://www.
navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/gmdss/mmsi.htm.
276C Plus Owner's Manual
1/13/2005 10:44:13 AM