Thursday, March 18th, 2010, 6:31 am EDT
Hand Held Marine Radios

MARINE RADIO OPERATION

What is Prohibited?

  • False distress or emergency messages.

  • Messages containing obscene, indecent, or profane words or meaning.

  • General calls, signals, or messages, except in an emergency.

  • Radio checks not addressed to a specific vessel.

  • When your ship is on land (for example, while the ship is on a trailer).

Types of Calls:

  • Mayday: Used in an emergency when life is threatened and you are in grave or imminent danger and require immediate assistance.

  • Pan Pan: Used to transmit a very urgent message concerning the safety of the ship.

  • Security: Used to alert for a message on the safety of navigation or weather.

How do I make a Call?

  1. Maintain your watch. Whenever your radio is turned on (and not being used for messages), keep it tuned to Channel 16.

  2. Always use low power (one watt) first. If the station being called is having trouble hearing you, you may switch to higher power.

  3. Calling other vessels. Call other vessels on Channel 16. You may call on ship-to-ship channels when you know that the ship is listening on both a ship-to-ship channel and Channel 16.

  4. Limits on calling. You must not call the same station for more than 30 seconds at a time. If you do not get a reply, wait at least two minutes before calling again. After three calling periods, wait at least 15 minutes before calling again.

  5. Change channels. After contacting another station on Channel 16, change immediately to a channel which is available for the type of message you want to send.

  6. Station identification. Identify in English, your station by your FCC call sign or vessel name at the beginning and end of each message.

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