The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has issued a GOV.UK update dated 22 January 2026 confirming that Succorfish has not transmitted inshore vessel monitoring system (I-VMS) data from SC2 devices to the UK VMS Hub for six months. MMO states it has engaged with the supplier but has not reached an acceptable resolution and will continue a measured approach to enforcing the I-VMS licence condition.
MMO reiterates that two devices hold type approval: Nemo (CLS UK, formerly Fulcrum Maritime Systems Ltd) and the SC2 (Succorfish). At present, only one type-approved device is sending data to the UK VMS Hub, which is required under the I-VMS licence condition. In practice, vessels with Nemo units can operate as normal, while those with SC2 units are affected by the suspension of transmissions to the hub.
For skippers using SC2 devices, MMO advises reviewing contractual terms with the supplier, including obligations to transmit data to the UK VMS Hub. If airtime renewal is deferred, MMO requests devices are kept powered on so units remain active on board. MMO notes it is not party to, and does not have sight of, private contracts between suppliers and fishers.
Operators without an I-VMS unit are advised that, although both Nemo and SC2 are type-approved, only one device is currently transmitting to the UK VMS Hub. Procurement and installation decisions should take into account the licence condition requiring live transmission to the hub.
Owners of Nemo devices should continue normal operations with units switched on and transmitting positional data at sea. According to MMO, ongoing transmissions from Nemo devices have supported testing and refinement of systems in preparation for I-VMS becoming a mandatory requirement.
Since the September 2025 update, Devon & Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) has installed ReWire devices on vessels in its district. MMO emphasises these devices are not type-approved, do not meet I-VMS licence conditions or proposed legislation, and are not part of the MMO I-VMS programme. Data from ReWire units is not shared with or used by MMO and does not satisfy the national requirement, though DSIFCA may use them for local byelaw compliance.
MMO acknowledges the operational difficulty created by the SC2 suspension and confirms its enforcement stance remains proportionate while discussions with Succorfish continue. The agency reiterates that measured enforcement of the I-VMS licence condition remains in place at this time.
The timeline set out by MMO shows the issue was first confirmed on 12 August 2025, when Succorfish stopped forwarding I-VMS data to the national hub for under-12m vessels using SC2 devices. On 25 September 2025, MMO noted that while SC2 transmissions were reaching the supplier’s server, they were not arriving at the UK VMS Hub, and some IFCAs were exploring temporary options.
MMO states it remains committed to the I-VMS programme and does not intend to pause the roll-out indefinitely. The agency apologises for the delay in updates and indicates it will provide a further update within one month. Fishers should maintain device use consistent with MMO advice and seek clarification from their local IFCA where district-specific measures apply.
For compliance planning, the position is clear: the I-VMS licence condition requires transmission to the UK VMS Hub. As of 22 January 2026, Nemo devices meet that requirement in practice, whereas SC2 devices do not. SC2-equipped vessels should keep units powered and monitor MMO communications while the contractual and technical position between Succorfish and MMO remains unresolved.