Marine VHF Radio Use
A compilation of open source information by maddenMaritime.
What is a marine VHF radio?
Marine VHF radio refers to the radio frequency range between 156.0 and
162.025 MHz, inclusive. In the official language of the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) the band is called the VHF maritime mobile band.
Marine radio equipment is installed on all large ships and most seagoing small craft.
It is also used, with slightly different regulation, on rivers and lakes. It is used for a
wide variety of purposes, including summoning rescue services and communicating
with harbours, locks, bridges and marinas, and operates in the very high
frequency (VHF) range, between 156 and 162.025 MHz.
These radios are primarily line-of-sight, but ranges of up to 25-30 miles are
relatively routine.
Channels / Frequencies
Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) - Distress, safety and calling
Channel 13 (156.650 MHz) - Intership navigation (bridge-to-bridge). Must monitor
in U.S. territorial waters.
Channel 67 (156.375 MHz) – Mississippi River as described in Bridge-to-Bridge
Radiotelephone Regulations (33 CFR 26)
Channel 70 (156.525 MHz) - Digital Selective Calling
U.S. frequencies are simplex, which means that the radio will transmit and receive
on the same frequencies.
International frequencies are duplex, which means that the radio will transmit and
receive on different frequencies (as per ITU channels).
Radio Controls
Volume : Adjust to a comfortable level to ensure pertinent radio traffic can be
heard, yet does not interfere with other watchstanding duties.
Squelch : Used to suppress channel noise when the radio is not receiving a
transmission. To adjust, turn down until background noise is heard and then turn
up until the background noise is silenced. In the event distant radio traffic
interferes, the squelch can be increase slightly. The user is cautioned not to increase
squelch excessively, as this may prevent necessary radio calls from being heard.
High/Low : Switches radio transmissions between 1 watt of power and 25 watts of
power. 1 watt should be used for calls to stations within 6-8 miles, whereas 25
watts might be used for more distant stations.
USA/INTL : Switches between U.S. channels (simplex) and international channels
(duplex).
Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
Global Maritime Distress & Safety System
VHF maritime channel 70 (156.525 MHz) is authorized exclusively for distress,
safety and calling purposes using digital selective calling (DSC) techniques. No other
uses are permitted.
Channel 70 is used to send distress alerts, safety announcements and for calling
purposes under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Many
vessels are now equipped with DSC capability and are using channel 70 for this
purpose. It is essential that this channel be protected.
Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)
Maritime Mobile Service Identities (MMSIs) are nine digit numbers used by
maritime digital selective calling (DSC), automatic identification systems (AIS) and
certain other equipment to uniquely identify a ship or a coast radio station. MMSIs
are regulated and managed internationally by the International
Telecommunications Union in Geneva, Switzerland, just as radio call signs are
regulated. The MMSI format and use is documented in Article 19 of the ITU Radio
Regulations and ITU-R Recommendation M.585-6, available from the ITU.
MMSI Format
Maritime Identification Digits (MID)
MIDs are three digit identifiers ranging from 201 to 775 denoting the administration
(country) or geographical area of the administration responsible for the ship station
so identified. See the ITU Table of Maritime Identification Digits.
Ships
All ship MMSIs use the format M1 I2D3X4X5X6X7X8X9 where in the first three digits
represent the Maritime Identification Digits (MID) and X is any figure from 0 to 9.
(Hint: Ships transmitting with an MMSI not starting with the digits 201-775 are
likely doing so improperly, and may be subject to FCC or USCG enforcement action)
MMSI are used when utilizing DSC functions to call individual vessels.
Types of Calls
Routine
Procedure for routine VHF call to another vessel or shore station:
1. Tune your radio to channel 16 or the designated channel for the shore
station (i.e. Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)) you will be contacting.
2. Name of vessel or shore station spoken three times.
3. The words "THIS IS <your vessel>", spoken three times.
4. The word "OVER"
Standby the radio for a response. If no response is heard in 30-60 seconds, repeat
your call. If no response is heard after 3 attempts, wait at least 2 minutes before
trying again.
When the shore station or other vessel responds, suggest a working channel in
order to keep channel 16 clear.
For example:
MV NIGHTHAWK, MV NIGHTHAWK, MV NIGHTHAWK
THIS IS MV SEA GULL, MV SEA GULL, MV SEA GULL
OVER
SEA GULL, THIS IS NIGHTHAWK
OVER
NIGHTHAWK, THIS IS SEA GULL.
SWITCH AND ANSWER CHANNEL 77
OVER
SEA GULL, THIS IS NIGHTHAWK
SWITCHING TO 77
OVER
Both vessels would then switch to channel 77 and conduct their business.
Safety of Navigation (Securité)
Securité calls are used to communicate safety of navigation information and
meteorological warnings. Frequently used within a harbor or confined waterway,
they are a good way of maintaining situational awareness of what other vessels are
doing.
For example:
SECURITÉ, SECURITÉ, SECURITÉ
THIS IS MV SEA GULL INBOUND BALTIMORE APPROACHING THE KEY BRIDGE
BOUND FOR DUNDALK MARINE TERMINAL
ANY CONCERNED TRAFFIC, THIS IS MV SEA GULL
Urgency (Pan-Pan)
The urgency call pan-pan derives from French. In French, panne (/pɑːn/, "pahn") is
"broken": a breakdown or a mechanical failure. In English, it is also
sometimes pronounced as /pæn/ ("pan"). It is used when the safety of the ship or
person is in jeopardy.
A three-letter backronym, "possible assistance needed" or "pay attention now" is
derived from "pan". It is used in maritime and aeronautical radio communications
courses as a mnemonic to radio and communications operators, specifically to
reaffirm the important difference between mayday and pan-pan emergency
communications.
For example:
PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN
THIS IS MV SEA GULL INBOUND BALTIMORE APPROACHING THE KEY BRIDGE
WE HAVE A MAN OVERBOARD AND ARE MANEUVERING TO RECOVER.
ANY AVAILABLE TRAFFIC PLEASE STANDBY TO ASSIST AND REMAIN CLEAR
WHILE VESSEL IS MANEUVERING.
THIS IS MV SEA GULL
Distress (Mayday)
You may only have seconds to send a distress call. Here's what you should do:
Procedure for VHF Channel 16 MAYDAY:
1. If you have a VHF marine radio, tune it to channel 16. Unless you know you
are outside VHF range of shore and ships, call on channel 16 first.
2. Distress signal "MAYDAY", spoken three times.
3. The words "THIS IS", spoken once.
4. Name of vessel in distress (spoken three times) and call sign or boat
registration number, spoken once.
5. Repeat "MAYDAY" and name of vessel, spoken once.
6. Give position of vessel by latitude or longitude or by bearing (true or
magnetic, state which) and distance to a well-known landmark such as a
navigational aid or small island, or in any terms which will assist a
responding station in locating the vessel in distress. Include any information
on vessel movement such as course, speed and destination.
7. Nature of distress (sinking, fire etc.).
8. Kind of assistance desired.
9. Number of persons onboard.
10. Any other information which might facilitate rescue, such as length or
tonnage of vessel, number of persons needing medical attention, color hull,
cabin, masks, etc.
11. The word "OVER"
Stay by the radio if possible. Even after the message has been received, the Coast
Guard can find you more quickly if you can transmit a signal on which a rescue boat
or aircraft can home.
For example:
MAYDAY-MAYDAY-MAYDAY
THIS IS BLUE DUCK-BLUE DUCK-BLUE DUCK WA1234 MAYDAY THIS IS BLUE
DUCK
CAPE HENRY LIGHT BEARS 185 DEGREES MAGNETIC-DISTANCE 2 MILES
STRUCK SUBMERGED OBJECT
NEED PUMPS-MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND TOW
THREE ADULTS, TWO CHILDREN ONBOARD
ONE PERSON COMPOUND FRACTURE OF ARM
ESTIMATE CAN REMAIN AFLOAT TWO HOURS
BLUE DUCK IS THIRTY TWO FOOT CABIN CRUISER-WHITE HULL-BLUE DECK
HOUSE
OVER
Repeat at intervals until an answer is received.
If you hear a distress call...
If you hear a distress message from a vessel and it is not answered, then you must
answer. If you are reasonably sure that the distressed vessel is not in your vicinity,
you should wait a short time for others to acknowledge.
Watchkeeping
RADIO WATCHKEEPING REGULATIONS
Regulations Requiring Monitoring and Listening to VHF Marine Radios
A charter boat whose radio was not tuned to the proper channel missed a severe
storm warning. By the time the captain learned of the storm, it was too late to return
to shore. The ship sank and a couple of persons died. A yacht in trouble off the west
coast of Mexico and far from help saw a passenger ship. What should have been a
quick rescue could have turned to disaster when the passenger ship (improperly)
had its radio off. The yacht was able to attract the ship's attention, however, and was
rescued. Misunderstanding of passing intentions by approaching vessels and near
collisions have repeatedly been averted by working radios tuned to the proper
channel.
Who regulates whom?
Three U.S. government agencies, the Federal Communications Commission, the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the U.S. Coast
Guard; and two international organizations, the International Telecommunications
Union and the International Maritime Organization; have each established marine
radio watch keeping regulations. Regulations on radio watch keeping exist for all
boats and ships --commercial, recreational, government and military, domestic and
foreign-- carrying marine radios.
International Telecommunications Union (ITU). ITU regulates all use of radio
spectrum by any person or vessel outside U.S. waters. ITU rules affecting radio,
which have treaty status in the U.S. and most other nations, are published in the ITU
Radio Regulations. The ITU has established three VHF marine radio channels
recognized worldwide for safety purposes:
• Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) - Distress, safety and calling
• Channel 13 (156.650 MHz) - Intership navigation (bridge-to-bridge)
• Channel 70 (156.525 MHz) - Digital Selective Calling
International Maritime Organization (IMO). IMO regulates the outfitting and
operation of most vessels engaged on international voyages, except warships. Most
IMO radio regulations affect all passenger ships and other ships of 300 gross
tonnage and upward. IMO rules affecting radio are promulgated in the Safety of Life
at Sea (SOLAS) Convention which has been ratified in the U.S.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - the FCC regulates all sales,
marketing, and, use of radios in the U.S., including those onboard any recreational,
commercial, state and local government, and foreign vessel in U.S. territorial waters.
These regulations are contained in Title 47, Code of Federal Regulations.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) - NTIA
regulates all use of radio onboard any federal government vessel, including military
vessels. NTIA rules do not apply outside the federal government.
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) - The USCG regulates carriage of radio on most
commercial vessels, foreign vessels in U.S. waters, survival craft, and vessels subject
to the Bridge-to-Bridge Act (generally all vessels over 20m length) and operating in
a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) area.
Radio Watchkeeping Regulations
In general, any vessel equipped with a VHF marine radiotelephone (whether
voluntarily or required to) must maintain a watch on channel 16 (156.800
MHz) whenever the radiotelephone is not being used to communicate.
Source: FCC 47 CFR §§ 80.148, 80.310, NTIA Manual [Link].c(2)(e), ITU RR 31.17,
33.18, AP13 §25.2
In addition, every power-driven vessel of 20 meters or over in length or of 100 tons
and upwards carrying one or more passengers for hire, or a towing vessel of 26 feet
or over in length, as well, as every dredge and floating plant operating near a
channel or fairway, must also maintain a watch on channel 13 (156.650 MHz) --
channel 67 (156.375 MHz) if operating on the lower Mississippi River-- ; while
navigating on U.S. waters (which include the territorial sea, internal waters that are
subject to tidal influence, and, those not subject to tidal influence but that are used
or are determined to be capable of being used for substantial interstate or foreign
commerce). Sequential monitoring techniques (scanners) alone cannot be used to
meet this requirement; two radios (including portable radios, i.e. handhelds) or one
radio with two receivers, are required. These vessels must also maintain a watch on
the designated Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) frequency, in lieu of maintaining watch
on channel 16, while transiting within a VTS area. See 33 CFR §§ 2.36, 26, and 161;
47 CFR §§ 80.148, 80.308-309; NTIA: NTIA Manual Chapter [Link].
Digital Selective Calling
Ships, where so equipped, shall, while at sea, maintain an automatic digital selective
calling watch on the appropriate distress & safety calling frequencies [e.g. channel
70] in the frequency bands in which they are operating. If operating in a GMDSS Sea
Area A1 may discontinue their watch on channel 16. However, ships, where so
equipped, shall also maintain watch on the appropriate frequencies for the
automatic reception of transmissions of meteorological and navigational warnings
and other urgent information for ships.
Ship stations complying with these provisions should, where practicable, maintain a
watch on the frequency 156.650 MHz for communications related to the safety of
navigation.
If you hear a distress call...
If you hear a distress message from a vessel and it is not answered, then you must
answer. If you are reasonably sure that the distressed vessel is not in your vicinity,
you should wait a short time for others to acknowledge.
Identifying the Vessel Being Called
AIS (Automatic Identification System)
This VHF-based system allows vessels (so equipped) to be easily identified through
the use of chart plotters, ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System),
ECS (Electronic Chart System) or standalone AIS units. As the other vessel’s name,
call sign and MMSI are easily obtainable, radio calls can be made directly to that
vessel.
Visually
In daylight, using binoculars, the type and aspect of many vessels can be identified.
When calling an unknown vessel, it is normally best to mentally place yourself in the
position of the vessel you are calling. Describing what he/she would see when
looking at you will frequently elicit a faster response.
For example :
BLUE-HULLED TANKER, BLUE-HULLED TANKER, BLUE-HULLED TANKER
THIS IS MV SEA GULL, MV SEA GULL, MV SEA GULL
THE RED HULLED OFFSHORE SUPPORT VESSEL ON YOUR PORT BOW
OVER
At night, the aspect and general course of the other vessel can be determined by the
navigation lights. While this is helpful in identifying the other vessel, it may be
difficult to identify and contact a specific vessel when multiple vessels are in the
area.
Radar/ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid)
Using radar and ARPA to identify another vessel is quite useful. Through rapid
radar plotting or ARPA, the course and speed of the other vessel can be determined.
In addition, ARPA units will frequently determine the latitude and longitude of a
cursor position, thus allowing you to call a vessel by their position.
For example:
VESSEL IN POSITION LATITUDE 27 DEGREES 34 MINUTES NORTH, 125 DEGREES
12 MINUTES WEST ON COURSE 127 SPEED 14,
THIS IS MV SEA GULL, MV SEA GULL, MV SEA GULL
THE RED HULLED OFFSHORE SUPPORT VESSEL ON YOUR PORT BOW
OVER
Referenced to a Geographic Position or Aid to Navigation
Through a combination of visual and radar/ARPA identification, you might also call
a vessel by identifying its approximate position. Referencing a prominent landmark
or aid to navigation may catch their attention and elicit a response.
For example:
VESSEL APPROACHING AMBROSE LIGHT TOWER ON A COURSE OF 270 SPEED 16,
THIS IS MV SEA GULL, MV SEA GULL, MV SEA GULL
THE RED HULLED OFFSHORE SUPPORT VESSEL ON YOUR PORT BOW
OVER
OR
RED-HULLED TANKER SOUTHBOUND OFF MONTAUK POINT,
THIS IS MV SEA GULL, MV SEA GULL, MV SEA GULL
THE RED HULLED OFFSHORE SUPPORT VESSEL ON YOUR PORT BOW
OVER