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Your VHF radio can be your best friend in an emergency. Make sure you understand how to operate it correctly. Learn the channel assignments so that you do not have to think about this if an emergency occurs. Instruct guests, family members and fellow boaters how to use your radio in an emergency. Unlike a cell phone, the VHF radio may be able to summon help from nearby boaters as well as the authorities.

The Do's

Do monitor channel 16 whenever the radio is on, unless you are using the radio on another channel. Channel 16 is the distress, safety and general calling frequency. This is the one the Coast Guard monitors.

Do listen for about 30 seconds to make sure the channel is clear before you transmit.

Do identify your vessel by it's name at the beginning and end of your transmission,

Do use channel 16 (or 9 sometimes) for hailing. After contact is made immediately switch to a mutually agreed working
channel to continue your communications.

Do use the low power setting on your transmitter if possible. This will usually work just as well as high power and may allow others beyond your immediate range to use the channel.

Do speak slowly and clearly about one inch from the microphone. There is no need to shout and this may garble your transmission.

Do keep all communications as short as possible.

The Don'ts

Don't use profanity or use the radio for insults. It is a criminal offense to transmit obscene, profane or indecent words, language or meaning. No matter how provoked.

Don't chat on channel 16.

Don't monopolize any channel with long conversations or idle chatter.

Don't call the Coast Guard requesting a radio check, it's prohibited.

Don't allow children to use the radio as a plaything.
However, it is a good idea to train children, when they are old enough, on the correct use of the radio. It may happen in an emergency that the child may be the only person aboard able to use the radio. Think about that.

Don't send a "Mayday" call unless there is immediate danger to life or property.

Don't use a marine VHF radio for transmitting on land. Not even a portable one: It's illegal.

CHANNELS AVAILABLE FOR RECREATIONAL BOATERS

CHANNEL PURPOSE
16 Distress, Safety, Calling
9 Calling, marinas etc. In Florida channel 9 is also used for bridge communications.
68,69,71,72,78 Recreational use, working channels
24-28, 84-87 Marine Telephone Operator
13 Locks, Canals, Bridges, Pilots (Use channel 9 in Florida)
70 Digital Selective Calling. No voice, not available on most VHF radios.

Understand the difference in priority of emergency calls

The Distress Signal - MAYDAY
A MAYDAY call is to ask for assistance if there is immediate danger to life or property. A MAYDAY call has priority over all other radio calls. Use it only for life-threatening medical emergencies or if your boat is sinking or on fire.

The Urgency Signal - PAN-PAN (Pronounce this pahn-pahn)
Use this call when there is a threat to the safety of a person or boat, but the threat is not as serious as the in a MAYDAY call. Examples of PAN-PAN calls are: loss of a person overboard, running out of fuel, losing your way in a fog, getting entangled in fishing gear, or being unable to control or operate your vessel.

Safety Signal - SECURITY (Pronounce this say-cure-it-tay)
Use this call for navigation safety messages. You will hear it used before weather alerts, warnings of navigational hazards, and operation signals (such as when a boat is backing out of a slip or approaching a blind bend). You may use this call to report a hazard such as a partially sunken object in a busy channel.

Remember that things can get hectic in an emergency. It is a good idea to post a form near to your radio with the emergency call spelled out to remind the radio operator of the necessary message content.

Distress Communications Form

1. Make sure your radio is turned ON

2. Select channel 16

3. Press the microphone button, hold it close to your lips without touching them and say
    MAYDAY --- MAYDAY --- MAYDAY

4. Say
"This is________________, ________________, _________________
                 your boats name          your boats name          your boats name
5. Say
MAYDAY, _________________
                      your boats name

6. Tell where you are. (What navigational aids or landmarks are nearby. GPS location etc.)

7. State the nature of your emergency.

8. Give the number of people aboard and their condition if injured.

9. Estimate the present seaworthiness of the boat.

10. Briefly describe the boat.
"___________________________" Registration number
"___________________________" Size of boat
"_________________" Type of boat "________________" Color
"____________" Masts "_________________" Power "________________" Construction

Add anything else that will help someone find you.

11. Say:
"Listening on channel 16"

12. Say:
"This is _____________________, over."
                    your boats name

13. Release the microphone button and listen.

Make sure the volume control is about halfway to maximum
Make sure the squelch control is set to minimum.
Someone should answer immediately. If not go back to step 3 and repeat the call.

DO NOT PANIC. STAY CALM AND MAKE SURE THE RADIOTELEPHONE IS WORKING.

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