GETTING

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Maritime

Radio Services

Operation

Channel 13: Navigation - used by any vessel for safety communications regarding the maneuvering of vessels or directing of a vessels movements. Ship-to-ship and secondarily ship-to-coast communica- tions. Commonly called the Bridge-to-Bridge channel. For routine operations, radio power must be reduced to one watt.

Channel 15: Environmental - Used by any vessel to receive only broadcast information concerning environmental conditions in which vessel operate, such as, weather, sea conditions, time signals, and hazards to navigation. One-way broadcast from coast-to-ship stations.

Channel 16: Emergency - Used if your vessel is sinking or on fire, someone has been lost overboard, or there is grave and imminent danger to life or property. Every ship is obliged to give priority to radio distress communications. Calling - This channel is also used to establish communication with another marine radio station. After contact is made, switch to a working channel. Due to congestion on channel 16, particularly in high traffic areas, the FCC has approved channel 9 as a second hailing channel.

Channel 17: State Control - Used by state and local government vessels to coordinate, regulate and control boating activities and the rendering of assistance.

Channel 22: U.S. Coast Guard - For use by any vessel for exchange of communications with a U.S. Coast Guard station. Communication is ship-to-U.S. Coast Guard ship, and coast-to-aircraft station. Establish contact on channel 16 then shift to channel 22 as directed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

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