136 Chapter Three
Table 12-2. VHF Channel Allocation
Communication Channel
Purpose Numbers Description
Distress, Safety, and Calling
Ship-to-Coast & Ship-to-Ship
“Calling Channel”
Inter-ship Safety
Bridge-to-Bridge Navigation
Safety
16
09
06
13
A required channel on all VHF radios. For ship-to-ship
and ship-to-coast communications. Used for distress
calls and for initial contact with other vessels or shore
stations. Channel 16 is monitored by the Coast Guard as
well as harbormasters, marinas, fuel docks, and other
shore stations. After contact on this channel, you must
switch to a working channel for your communication.
Used for contact with Coast Guard ship, coast, and aircraft
stations after first establishing communications on
Channel 16.
For communications with marinas and public docks and
for contacting commercial vessels about matters of common
concern. Channel 9 is also a nationwide alternative
calling channel for non-commercial vessels, supplementing
Channel 16.
Required on all VHF radios. Used only for safety-oriented
communi cations such as the avoidance of collision, and
for search and rescue.
For contacting other vessels about meeting and passing
situations and talking with locks and bridges. You must
use low power except in an emergency.
transceiver can send informa tion to other DSC
Coast Guard Liaison and
Maritime Safety Information
22A
Ship-to-Ship and Ship-to-
Coast “Working Channels”
68, 69,
71, 72,
78
For use after initial contact on a calling channel. Channel
72 is a ship-to-ship working channel only. (In the Great
Lakes area, channels 79 and 80 are also working channels
for recreational boats, but share these with commercial
traffic. In Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de
Fuca, recreational vessels may also use Channel 67 as
a working channel, sharing this channel with commercial
vessels.)
Port Operations
12, 14,
20, 66,
73, 74
For use by facilities directing the movement of vessels in
or near ports, locks, and waterways
Distress, Safety, General
Purpose
70 For boats equipped with Digital Selective Calling DSC
equipment. Voice communications are illegal. (When
fully implemented, all VHF radios will be DSC compatible.
A DSC informat ion receivers with the sender’s ID, position, nature of distress,
and contact channel.)