How to identify handheld VHF radios

How to identify handheld VHF radios now equipped with GPS and Digital Selective Calling (DSC)?

Fix mounted VHF radios, as well as MF/HF radios are coded with the ship's MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity), a 9-digit number which is associated with the vessel.

However, handheld VHF radios are often carried from one ship to another, so a new type of identification is needed.

This is now being discussed in the maritime mobile communication working party of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), regulating operations and services throughout the world, based in Geneva.

I will keep you informed, as soon as a decision is made on the new identification of handheld VHF radios.

Regards, Laszlo Mercz