[Psml] MARYLAND DRN PROMOTES UNSAFE VHF USE

[Paul R. Soucy]

Lets don't forget what the federal rules require if one has a VHF radio on 
board.  Please see the following from Federal Rules:

Radio Listening Watch

Vessels not required to carry a radio (e.g. recreational vessels less than 
65.6 feet/20 meters in length), but which voluntarily carry a radio, must 
maintain a watch on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) whenever the radio is operating 
and not being used to communicate. Such vessels may alternatively maintain a 
watch on VHF channel 9 (156.450 MHz), the boater calling channel.

So folks if you have a VHF radio monitor channel 16.  You may and the word 
is may, maintain a watch on channel 9.  When we teach VHF radio operations, 
we state if you have a VHF radio you must use it and you must monitor 
channel 16, but use another channel for boat to boat communications.

The real question is who has precedence, the state or federal rules?

Paul Soucy, AP
SEO, Long Bay