England I‑VMS: Succorfish SC2 still not transmitting

Today (22 January 2026), the Marine Management Organisation updated its urgent notice on inshore vessel monitoring. It confirms Succorfish SC2 units have not sent data to the UK VMS Hub for six months and says enforcement of the I‑VMS licence condition will remain measured while talks with the supplier continue. (gov.uk)

If you’re new to this, I‑VMS is the tracker for under‑12 metre fishing boats licensed in England. It records position, speed and time and sends these reports via mobile signal to the UK VMS Hub; when out of coverage the device stores the data and forwards it once signal returns. The aim is clearer evidence for regulators and for fishers themselves, supporting fair and sustainable inshore activity, according to GOV.UK guidance. (gov.uk)

Two devices are type‑approved by MMO: Fulcrum NEMO and Succorfish SC2. Type‑approval checks technical standards, but the licence condition also requires that data reaches the UK VMS Hub while you are at sea. As of today, MMO says only one device is transmitting to the Hub, which is an important factor if you’re choosing what to buy or keep running. The NEMO device is supplied by CLS UK (Fulcrum Maritime Ltd), previously named Fulcrum Maritime Systems. (gov.uk)

If you’re running an SC2, review your airtime contract and decide whether the duty to forward data to the Hub is being met. If you choose not to renew airtime for now, MMO asks that you keep the unit powered while at sea. The regulator also repeats that enforcement will be proportionate during this period. (gov.uk)

If you have a NEMO device, carry on as normal: keep it switched on and transmitting when you’re at sea. MMO says these ongoing data feeds are helping it test and refine systems ahead of I‑VMS becoming a mandatory requirement. (gov.uk)

If you don’t yet have an I‑VMS unit, build into your decision that, as of today, only one type‑approved device is sending data to the UK VMS Hub and Hub transmission is part of the licence condition. This is the practical lens to use while you plan purchases and installations. (gov.uk)

You may also hear about Rewire units. Devon & Severn IFCA has installed Rewire devices on vessels in its district as a local measure. MMO is clear these are not type‑approved, do not meet I‑VMS licence condition requirements or proposed legislation, and their data is not shared with or used by MMO’s programme. If your local IFCA has additional rules, check with them so you stay compliant on their byelaws while also meeting MMO’s requirements. (gov.uk)

What happens next is time‑bound. MMO says the roll‑out will not be paused indefinitely and it will publish another update within the next month. Keep your setup legal for trips to sea, record any device issues, and expect further guidance before late February. (gov.uk)

For media‑literacy clarity, here’s how the data journey works. Your device captures position, course, speed, date and time. It sends these reports to the UK VMS Hub via mobile signal; if there’s no coverage, it stores them and forwards when you’re back in range. This approach keeps costs lower than satellite systems used by larger vessels while still giving regulators a shared picture of inshore activity. (gov.uk)

A short timeline helps you place today’s update. On 12 August 2025 MMO first told industry that Succorfish had stopped forwarding data to the Hub; on 25 September 2025 it highlighted Devon & Severn IFCA’s temporary Rewire plan; and on 22 January 2026 it confirmed the six‑month mark and set out refreshed interim advice. (gov.uk)

If you need support, the I‑VMS Help Desk on GOV.UK lists a dedicated email (ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk) and phone line (01900 508618, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm). Keep a paper log of trips, save supplier emails, and make sure your unit is powered during voyages so you can show good‑faith compliance while the official fix is worked through. (gov.uk)

The lesson for both fishers and students studying regulation is clear: type‑approval is not the same as live data arriving at the Hub. Choose and operate kit that meets today’s transmission requirement, keep records, and watch for MMO’s next update within four weeks. (gov.uk)