Marine Radio 101

Marine Radio 101
HMBYC Women’s Sailing Seminar
February 24, 2012
Is a radio required?
Although a marine VHF radio is not
required for small recreational
boats….
It SHOULD be considered an
essential piece of equipment.
Make sure at least one of your guests
can also use the radio in case of
emergency.
Cell Phone vs Marine Radio
A marine radio:
Allows instant communication between
your boat and other boats, the harbor
and USCG.
It is the primary means of
communication on the water.
Most VHF marine radios also have
instant access to NOAA weather
forecasts, 24 hours a day.
VHF Channels
Channel 9: The primary calling channel. Establish
contact on this channel and move to a “working
channel” as soon as possible.
Channel 16: Emergency and distress calls only.
Channels 68, 69, 71, 72, 78A: “Working
Channels.” The only channels available to noncommercial vessels for ship-to-ship and ship-toshore communications.
Other channels are restricted to specific uses.
Definition of Distress
Distress is defined as a situation
where you or your boat are
threatened by grave danger with loss
of life or of the watercraft being
imminent. Running out of fuel, a dead
battery or other mechanical problems
are not distress situations.
When Sailing in the Harbor
9 = Radio check
69 = Yacht Club
74 = Pillar Point Harbor Master
16 = Emergency and distress
Hailing a Station
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Call the name of the station three times.
The words "THIS IS", is only spoken once.
Name of your vessel and call sign (if you have a
station license) or boat registration number, spoken
once.
The word "OVER".
Then you wait for the station being called to answer.
Their answer should be in the same manner as your
call.
Once answered you should suggest going to a
working channel to carry on your conversation.
The word "OVER".
Wait for reply or confirmation from the station being
called, switch to the working channel and repeat the
process.
Recommendations
Always listen before you transmit to make sure
you are not "stepping" on someone.
Use plain English on the VHF. Do not use codes
or “CB talk”.
Foul language and false distress signals are
illegal. You can be prosecuted for either.
Limit your conversations to 5 minutes or less.
There may be other people who want to use the
channel.
Remember that everything you say can be heard
by anyone who has a VHF radio.
Calls for Assistance
SECURITAY (securité – it means safety or to pay attention). A
safety message or warning related to the lowest level of danger.
For example, you are towing someone and have restricted
maneuverability and you want all others to avoid you or to let
you know if there's a potential issue.
PAN PAN (panne, “breakdown”). A message concerning a danger
to a person or ship at the next level of danger.
For example, you have grounded and believe you may be
taking on water slowly or are a hazard to navigation.
MAYDAY (venez m'aider, come to help me). A message of extreme
urgency at the highest level of danger. (MAYDAY is used on voice
channels for the same uses as SOS on Morse channels.)
Life or property is in immediate danger -- your ship is going
down, you've lost someone overboard, your vessel is being
smashed on rocks, etc
How Does the Radio Operate?
Make sure you are on the correct channel.
Adjust squelch control as low as possible without
hearing static or white noise.
Push the button on the microphone to transmit
(send).
Speak in a normal voice.
Take your finger OFF the button to hear the other
person.