Operating Procedures
Marine VHF radios are an important tool
for boaters on the water, and to be most
effective they must be used properly.
Therefore, marine radios can be legally
used only for distress and operational communications.
Each will be discussed below.
Distress communications
• Emergency calls relating to danger to life
and property
• Safety communications including safety
bulletins, weather warnings, and talking
with other boaters to avoid collision
Operational communications
• Should be short and to the point.
• Only necessary information should be
relayed.
• Marine VHF channels are not “chat” lines
and are to be used only to conduct necessary
business.
• There are three types of operational communications:
port communications,
communication with other boaters, and
bridge communication (see Table 12-1).
Channel Allocation
In order to use your VHF radio properly,
you must be aware of and use the proper
channel for the intended communication.
The following is an overview showing how
to select the proper channel for your communication.
This overview is summarized
in Table 12-2.
• When underway, and your VHF radio is
on, you must monitor Channel 16, the
international distress, safety, and calling
channel. Using the radio in scan mode
with Channel 16 included in the scan satisfies
this requirement.
• Your safety and that of fellow boaters
depends on someone hearing a call for
assistance.
Section 12: Communications Afloat 135
• Listening to Channel 16 ensures that a
large number of boats will hear an emergency
call.
• Calls are initiated on Channel 16, but
must be switched to a working channel as
soon as possible.
• Working channels include 68, 69, 71, 72,
and 78 for recreational boaters.
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Table 12-1. Types of
Communication
• Port communications include calls
to shore (marinas, boatyards) to
get navigational information and
to arrange for such things as
supplies, accommodations, and
repairs.
• Communications with other boaters
to establish location or meeting
places and times and other types
of relevant information.
• Bridge communications are used
for relaying ship-to-ship navigation
communication between large
commercial vessels and do not normally
involve recreational boaters.
• Communicate with a Marine Assistance
Company (Sea Tow or Boat
US) on Channel 16.