VHF Marine Radio Procedures

VHF Marine Radio Protocols

VHF Marine Radio Procedures

Maintain Your Watch

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VHF Marine Radio Protocols

Prohibited Communications

You MUST NOT transmit:

Whenever your boat is underway, the radio must be turned On and be tuned to Channel 16 except when being used for messages.

Power

Try 1 watt first if the station being called is within a few miles. If there is no answer, switch to 3 watts and call again. Remember, the lower wattage output will conserve your battery and minimize interference to other users.

Calling Coast Stations

Call a coast station on its assigned channel. You may use Channel 16 when you do not know the assigned channel.

Calling Other Vessels

Call other vessels on Channel 16 or on Channel 9. (Channel 9 is preferred for recreational vessel use.) You may also call on ship-to-ship channels when you know that the vessel is listening on a ship-to-ship channel.

Initial Calling on Channel 16 or 9

The use of Channel 16 is permitted for making initial contact (hailing) another vessel. The limits on calling must be followed. Be reminded, Channel 16’s most important function is for Emergency Messages. If for some reason, Channel 16 is congested, the use of Channel 9, especially in U.S. waters, may be used as the initial contact (hailing) channel for non-emergency communication.

Limits on Calling

You must not call the same station for more than 30 seconds at a time.

If you do not get a reply, wait at least two (2) minutes before calling again. After three (3) calling periods, wait at least 15 minutes before calling again.

Change Channels

After contacting another station on a calling channel, change immediately to a channel which is available for the type of message you want to send.

Station Identification

Identify, in English, your station by your FCC call sign, vessel name or the state registration number, at both the beginning and at the end of the message.

■False distress or emergency messages.

■Messages containing obscene, indecent or profane language.

■General calls, signals or messages (messages not addressed to a particular station) on Channel 16, except in an emergency or if you are testing your radio.

■When you are on land.

28 English

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