Your VHF radio is your most important safety tool on the water. Here's how to use it properly.
Channel 16 (156.800 MHz): International distress, safety, and calling. Monitor at all times while underway. Use for initial contact, then switch to a working channel.
Channel 9: Secondary calling channel (recreational). Use instead of 16 for non-emergency hailing.
Channel 22A: USCG liaison. After initial contact on 16, the Coast Guard will usually switch you here.
Channel 13: Bridge-to-bridge. Used when passing through bridges and in narrow channels.
Channel 70: Digital Selective Calling (DSC). Never voice transmit on this channel.
MAYDAY is for immediate danger to life or vessel. Press and hold the DSC distress button for 5 seconds (if equipped), then voice: 'MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. This is [vessel name] [vessel name] [vessel name]. MAYDAY [vessel name]. My position is [lat/lon or description]. I have [nature of distress]. I require [type of assistance]. [Number of persons aboard]. [Description of vessel]. OVER.'
Practice this. In a real emergency, you'll be stressed and your radio time may be limited.
PAN-PAN (pahn-pahn): Urgent but not life-threatening. Mechanical failure, taking on water slowly, medical situation that isn't immediately life-threatening.
SECURITE (say-cure-ih-tay): Safety information. Navigation hazards, weather warnings, large vessel movements. Used by Coast Guard and commercial vessels to broadcast safety information.
See our full marine radio reference with all NOAA Weather Radio stations at informedboating.com/forecast/radio.
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