Legal Requirements regarding VHF Radio
Who makes and who enforces the laws and regulations?
Without getting into the 'legalese' the summarized answer is:
| • | The NTIA regulates the use of all radios on all federal government vessels in U.S. Ports and waters. |
| • | The U.S. Coast Guard enforces the radio requirement rules in U.S. waters. |
| • | The ITU regulates the use of radio in International waters. |
| • | The IMO further regulates the use of vessels over 300 tons in International waters. |
If you wish to read all the fine print, please click here.
What rules affect you?
IMPORTANT:Please read this carefully - there are some points of which many boaters are not aware.
| • | In the U.S. you do not need a license to operate a VHF radio, an EPIRB, Radar, or Citizen's Band Radio. An amateur radio license is required to use a Ham radio. Single-side band, satellite communication and telegraphy must be licensed. |
| • | If you sail your vessel in International or foreign waters, a ship's license is required and, additionally each person operating the VHF radio is required to have an 'individual license.' |
| • | If you own a DSC VHF Radio, you must have your assigned nine digit MMSI number programmed into the radio before you may use it. |
| • | You may NOT use a VHF radio, handheld or otherwise from land without a special license. |
| • | You are required while underway to monitor channel 16 if you have a VHF radio on board. |
| • | You are required to relay distress messages as specified in the FCC rules. |
| • | This is not intended as complete coverage of all of the regulations, only as a 'heads up' on the major things of which you need to be aware. It is your responsibility as a VHF radio owner or operator to become familiar with all of the regulations which apply to you. |
VHF Radio Legal Stuff
| Type of Message | Appropriate Channel |
|
DISTRESS SAFETY AND CALLING - Use this channel to get the attention of another station (calling) or in emergencies (distress and safety). |
16 |
|
INTERSHIP SAFETY - Use this channel for ship-to-ship safety messages and for search and rescue messages to ships and aircraft of the Coast Guard. |
6 |
|
COAST GUARD LIAISON - Use this channel to talk to the Coast Guard (but first make contact on Channel 16). |
22 |
|
NONCOMMERCIAL - Working channels for voluntary boats. Messages must be about the needs of the ship. Typical uses include fishing reports, rendezvous,scheduling repairs and berthing information. Use Channels 67 and 72 only for ship-to-ship messages. |
96, 679,68, 69, 718, 72, 78, 794, 804 |
|
COMMERCIAL - Working channels for working ships only. Messages must be about business or the needs of the ship. Use channels 8, 67, 72 and 88A only for ship-to-ship messages. |
15, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 635, 677, 79, 80, 88A1 |
|
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE (MARINE OPERATOR) - Use these channels to call the marine operator at a public coast station. By contacting a public coast station, you can make and receive calls from telephones on shore. Except for distress calls, public coast stations usually charge for this service. |
24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 84, 85, 86 |
|
PORT OPERATIONS - These channels are used in directing the movement of ships in or near ports, locks or waterways. Messages must be about the operational handling movement and safety of ships. In certain major ports, Channels 11,12 and are not available for general port operations messages. Use channel 20 only for ship-to-coast messages. Channel 77 is limited to intership communications to and from pilots |
15, 53, 12, 14, 20, 635, 65, 66, 73, 74, 7510,7610, 77 |
|
NAVIGATIONAL - (Also known as the bridge-to-bridge channel.) This channel is available to all ships. Messages must be about ship navigation, for example, passing or meeting other ships. You must keep your messages short. Your power output must not be more than one watt. This is also the main working channel at most locks and drawbridges. |
13, 67 |
|
MARITIME CONTROL - This channel may be used to talk to ships and coast stations operated by state or local governments. Messages must pertain to regulation and control, boating activities, or assistance to ships. |
17 |
|
DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING - Use this channel for distress and safety calling and for general purpose calling using only digital selective calling techniques. |
70 |
|
WEATHER - On these channels you may receive weather broadcasts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These channels are only for receiving. You cannot transmit on them. |
Wx-1 162.55 Wx-2 162.4 Wx-3 162.475 |
Appropriate Channels to use in various circumstances.
The table below was copied directly from the FCC Website.
| • | The FCC regulates all use of all radios on all vessels (except federal government) in U.S. ports and waters. |
1. Not available in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, or the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its approaches.
2. Only for use In the Great Lakes, St Lawrence Seaway, and Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its approaches.
3. Available only In the Houston and New Orleans areas.
4. Available only in the Great Lakes.
5. Available only In the New Orleans area.
6. Available for Intership, ship, and coast general purpose calling by noncommercial ships.
7. Available only In the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
8. Available for port operations communications only within the U.S. Coast Guard designated VTS radio protection area of Seattle (Puget Sound). Normal output must not exceed 1 watt.
9. Available for navigational communications only in the Mississippi River/Southwest Pass/Gulf outlet area.
10. Available for navigation-related port operations or ship movement only. Output power limited to 1 watt
2. Only for use In the Great Lakes, St Lawrence Seaway, and Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca and its approaches.
3. Available only In the Houston and New Orleans areas.
4. Available only in the Great Lakes.
5. Available only In the New Orleans area.
6. Available for Intership, ship, and coast general purpose calling by noncommercial ships.
7. Available only In the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
8. Available for port operations communications only within the U.S. Coast Guard designated VTS radio protection area of Seattle (Puget Sound). Normal output must not exceed 1 watt.
9. Available for navigational communications only in the Mississippi River/Southwest Pass/Gulf outlet area.
10. Available for navigation-related port operations or ship movement only. Output power limited to 1 watt
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Notice: While we make every effort to ensure that the information provided on this website is accurate, we can not be held responsible for any mishaps which may occur as a result of your using information found in this website without verification through other, more authoritative sources such as the U.S. Coast Guard. |
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