With approximately 59 VHF marine channels available to us there is often confusion as to what channels are to be used.\u00a0 Hopefully this tip will clear some of the fog.<\/p>\n
If the vessel has a VHF marine radio we are required to monitor channel 16.\u00a0 Remember the Good Samaritan law where we are required to lend assistance to a vessel in distress?\u00a0 This applies to distress messages heard over VHF as well as visual.\u00a0 We also monitor 16 for navigational information & announcements.<\/p>\n
Channel 16 is used for hailing and distress ONLY.\u00a0 This means NO chit-chat and NO radio checks.\u00a0 On 16 [pronounced \u201cone six\u201d] we can make distress calls for help, provide urgent navigational information, and make contact with another vessel.\u00a0 After we make contact with another radio\/person we must switch to a working channel to carry out the conversation.<\/p>\n
Working channels available to us [pleasure vessels] are 68, 69, 70, and 71.\u00a0 On these channels we can conduct boating information only.\u00a0 A conversation such as \u201cJoe order us a pizza and let\u2019s go to the ball game tonight\u201d is not an acceptable message as this does not directly relate to boating.\u00a0 Also be aware channel 71 is sometimes used by Vessel Assist and tugs helping in ship movement.<\/p>\n
A very useful channel is 14.\u00a0 This is Vessel Traffic Service [VTS] for San Francisco bay inland.\u00a0 Channel 12 is for VTS off shore.\u00a0 This is useful to us for the tracking of commercial traffic movement.\u00a0 Most all commercial vessels are required to check in with VTS prior to movement and as they pass certain waypoints.\u00a0 With knowledge of vessel movement we can better access traffic that may be crossing our path and determining hazards.<\/p>\n
An example for the use of channel 14 is when crossing the slot in fog.\u00a0\u00a0 If you\u00a0 monitor 14 you will know if passenger ferries or ships are sharing the fog with you.<\/p>\n
Channel 13 is used to communicate \u201cbridge to bridge\u201d .\u00a0 This refers to ship\u2019s bridge and not highway drawbridges. [ Some highway draw bridges monitor 13.]\u00a0 This is useful if you need to communicate with a commercial vessel.\u00a0 Use of this channel should\u00a0 NOT be taken lightly and used ONLY in the event of an emergency or hazard to you or the other vessel.\u00a0 Communications must be professional and concise.<\/p>\n
An example of the use of 13 is if you lose power in a ship\u2019s channel and there is commercial traffic bearing down on you, you could contact the Master on 13 to advise them of the situation.<\/p>\n
Keep in mind that all communications on channels 13, 14, and 16 and some others are being recorded.<\/p>\n
Submitted by Tradewinds Instructor Bill Yawn<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With approximately 59 VHF marine channels available to us there is often confusion as to what channels are to be used.\u00a0 Hopefully this tip will clear some of the fog. If the vessel has a VHF marine radio we are … Continue reading