The United States Power Squadrons (USPS) is now an official source for Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) numbers. Now that the Coast Guard is rolling out their Rescue 21 System, you really need to register and get your MMSI to fully utilize the Digital Selective Calling (DSC) feature that the Coast Guard needs to assist you in an emergency.
 
USPS also has a seminar entitled "Using VHF and VHF/DSC Marine Radio" that explains how to select and use these new radios and their very advanced features.  In the seminar you will be able to observe simulated calls and even take a CD along to practice at home.  The seminar also comes with a waterproof "Quick Guide" to help you on the water.

By registering, you provide key information to the Coast Guard about you and your vessel that saves valuable time if and when you may make a distress call, and provides them with critically needed data.  By connecting your GPS to the radio, your precise position is also transmitted automatically. 

Through our web site and our seminars and guides, you can learn more about the superb features of DSC that allow you to single out and call another vessel using this digital channel and even tune the radios to the channel of your choice for communications.  DSC isn't just for emergencies, it helps you every day to easily place calls digitally and frees up the overcrowded Channel 16.

With this authorization by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the United States Coast Guard, the USPS, America's largest boating education organization, is staying at the cutting edge of service to recreational boaters. This is one more way in which it is working with the Coast Guard to provide offerings for boaters that parallel those already being provided for commercial vessels. This USPS MMSI service is now available for US flagged vessels including most recreational boats. Those who travel internationally must still apply directly to the FCC for a radio station license as well as for an FCC issued MMSI.

To evaluate your requirements or to obtain your free MMSI for domestic use, go the USPS at its www.usps.org website. Press the MMSI icon and you are on your way. You can also use the direct link: http://www.usps4mmsi.com.

For general information about the new marine radio systems, also contact the USPS website or your bookstore to obtain a one-of-a-kind USPS guide book titled: The Boat Owners' Guide to GMDSS and Marine Radios.