Radio Regulations

Source: the Radio Regulations published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

All IBR Recommendations

As incorporated in RR-2016

This is not the text in force. It is the version of this Recommendation that RR-2016 gave treaty-binding force, kept so that the incorporated set can be read as it stood at each conference.

See the edition in force (RR-2024)
M

Recommendation ITU-R M.585-7

Mandatory (1982-1986-1990-2003-2007-2009-2012-2015)

Assignment and use of identities in the maritime mobile service

— Annex 1

View official text at ITU

Version history

Version evolution

The number in each cell (e.g. −9) is the Recommendation's revision number — the “-9” in ITU-R M.585-9, not a negative value. So −8 → −9 means the binding reference moved from the 8th to the 9th revision.

RR-2008 -4
RR-2012 -6
RR-2016 -7
RR-2020 -8
RR-2024 -9

Incorporated into the RR by

RR provisions, footnotes and Resolutions that incorporate this Recommendation

Provision

19.99 19.102 19.111

Bands and services are derived from the footnotes of the Radio Regulations as they stand, so they are shown only on the edition in force.

Scope

This Recommendation provides guidance to administrations for the assignment and conservation of identity resources for the maritime mobile service. The limitations which constrain assignments for ships which utilize the satellite services of the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) are described in this Recommendation. Annex 1 describes formats for maritime mobile service identities (MMSI) of ship stations, coast stations, aircraft participating in search and rescue operations and other safety-related communications, automatic identification system (AIS) aids to navigation, and craft associated with a parent ship. Annex 2 describes formats for identification of other maritime devices, such as handheld VHF transceivers with digital selective calling (DSC) and global navigation satellite system (GNSS), AIS-search and rescue transmitter (AIS-SART), man overboard (MOB) and emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)-AIS. Annex 3 provides specific guidance to administrations for the assignment, management and conservation of identity resources for the maritime mobile service. This guidance further instructs administrations on methods for the reuse of MMSI assignments, particularly for the reuse of those with three trailing zeroes.

Keywords

MMSI identities maritime mobile service

Recommends

  1. that ships complying with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, and other ships equipped with automated radiocommunication systems, including AIS, DSC, and/or carrying alerting devices of the GMDSS should be assigned maritime mobile service identities in accordance with the Annex 1 to this Recommendation, as appropriate;
  2. that maritime identities used for other maritime devices for special purposes should be assigned as specified in Annex 2;
  3. that ship stations, including handheld VHF transceivers with DSC and GNSS, coast stations, and aircraft participating in search and rescue operations using digital selective calling equipment in accordance with Recommendation ITU-R M.493 should use their 9-digit numerical identities transmitted as a 10-digit address/self-identity, normally with a digit 0 added at the end of the identity (see also Recommendation ITU-R M.1080);
  4. that ship stations, coast stations, and non-shipborne stations using AIS equipment in accordance with Recommendation ITU-R M.1371 should use their 9-digit numerical identities;
  5. for the purpose of ensuring compatibility with the GMDSS, the numbers, names and addresses of ship earth stations participating in international telecommunication services should be made readily available to all authorized entities by the telecommunication service providers concerned;
  6. that the guidance given in Annex 3 to this Recommendation should be consulted for the assignment, management and conservation of identities in the maritime mobile service.

Source: ITU Radio Regulations, editions of 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024. The English, French and Spanish texts are each taken from the official edition in that language, not translated from one another. Sources and citation.