Updating MMSI and AIS information on Garmin VHF

[JCCharles]

I recently bought my boat and have changed her name. I have a Garmin VHF radio with AIS and a Vesper Marine XB-8000 AIS unit. I naively thought this would be a simple and strait forward change, but like anything relating to boats, that doesn’t seem to be the case. It appears that I have to remove the Garmin and send it to an authorized repair facility to get the AIS info changed. I haven’t even started on the Vesper Marine unit, its not showing up on my WiFi.

Does anyone have any experience changing AIS info on a Garmin unit or suggestion of how to accomplish this? Thank you!

[Tupaia]

Normally the MMSI number stays with the boat. Why do you need to change it?

[AedanC]

In most devices you can change everything except the MMSI number, which generally does not change even if you rename the vessel.

[NaClyDog]

Originally Posted by AedanC

In most devices you can change everything except the MMSI number, which generally does not change even if you rename the vessel.

Is this true even if country of registry changes?

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by NaClyDog

Is this true even if country of registry changes?

No not if the registry changes unfortunately. Jobs for the boys rules that are never thought through. Most equipment needs a trip to the manufacturer. Like most criminals are going to hack their MMSI. Rules say that there has to be manufacturer intervention. Most take this as an opportunity to fleece customers. Standard Horizon who thought about can do it over the phone (manufacturer intervention) using a one time code. Wonder if any other manufacturers who interpreted the rules like this?

[smac999]

the garmin VHF requires a specal box to reprogram it that only garmin dealers have.

the vesper you can probably do over the phone with them. they will give you a password to change it. you can try a usb cable and laptop if you can't get into the wifi.

but as mentioned above. if you can get the owner to release / transfer the mmsi to you, then you don't have to change it. it depends where he got it from, in the US there are different places that hand them out.

[Sailon1]

BTW, initial MMSO registration can be done through the US power squadron or BoatUS. Power squadron registration is free boat US charges $25

[JCCharles]

This has been a great help! Thank you all!

[Zzmeyer]

Originally Posted by Sailon1

BTW, initial MMSO registration can be done through the US power squadron or BoatUS. Power squadron registration is free boat US charges $25

Only true if you only intend to sail in US waters, but very easy if that is the case. Easy anyway.

[grahamj]

Garmin say name changes can be done by the user.

[Flatswing]

If you can contact the previous owner, once they formally release the MMSI (which stays with the vessel) you can register it in your own name. Otherwise in the Us, you have to return the unit to the manufacturer to reprogram a new MMSI

[Zzmeyer]

Originally Posted by Flatswing

If you can contact the previous owner, once they formally release the MMSI (which stays with the vessel) you can register it in your own name. Otherwise in the Us, you have to return the unit to the manufacturer to reprogram a new MMSI

Flatswing is correct. The easiest way is to have the owner release the MMSI. I just did this. I got confirmation in a letter. It has been about three weeks and the new owner has not been able to get it as there is some delay between them cancelling it and it being freed up apparently.

[smac999]

Originally Posted by grahamj

Garmin say name changes can be done by the user.

There is no name in a vhf

[JCCharles]

Flatswing and Zxmeyer, Thank you. I have contacted the previous owner and am waiting on a response.

[TheoWjr]

Agree with the above comments that the easiest thing is likely to have the old owner transfer the MMSI number to you. Seems straight forward when I looked into it for my boat. Unfortunately I wasn't able to make that work.
Garmin does/did make some software. I have an AIS600 and it has a USB port that connects to a PC running some Garmin AIS600 software. By default you can change name and generic features with the software.

I'm not recommending that you change the MMSI yourself, but in this software there is a hidden menu that does open up the ability to change the MMSI number.
I didn't see which model you have. If it has a USB port this might work on your unit.

Cheers,
ted