RT Distress, Urgency and Safety– VHF CH 16 is available exclusively for RT Distress, Urgency, and Safety. After DSC priority calls, only the information important for all stations can be transmitted on this channel. All SOLAS ships are obliged to monitor it constantly, and for smaller ships it is strongly recommended. It is never to be used for chatting, etc.! NOTE: Since 1999 channel 16 has not been a calling channel. A ship should use DSC for calling another ship, CG or CRS.
DSC Distress, Urgency, Safety and Routine Alerting – VHF CH 70 is available exclusively for DSC Distress Alerts and Urgency, Safety and Routine calls only. This channel must not be used for RT communications, and this is actually prevented by the communication equipment itself.
Inter-ship – used for radio communication between ships at sea. When a ship calls another ship through DSC, the calling ship should advise the called ship of the working channel for RT communication. This channel should be simplex. VHF CH 13 should be used only for safety of navigation.
Public correspondence - CRS (Coast Radio Stations) - to interface between boats at sea with the main shore based telecommunications networks; to provide facilities for testing VHF radios; to transmit weather forecasts, broadcasts and navigational warnings and for coordinating SAR; to coordinate Maritime or Medical Advice or Assistance; to receive boat voyage reports on leaving or entering port and ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), and so on and so forth. NOTE: When a ship calls CRS with DSC, it is recommended that they send their position too. For RT communication a ship should use a channel allocated by CRS (normally duplex).
CG (Coast Guards) - may provide the same facilities as CRS, with the exception of interfacing with main shore based telecommunications networks, in coastal regions where there is no established CRS. When a ship calls CG with DSC, it is recommended to send its position. For RT communication a ship should use the channel given by CG (which could be simplex or duplex).
Port Operations – provide radio communication services in harbour with port operators, pilot vessels, tugs, pilot stations and all associated VTMS (Vessel Traffic Management Services). When a ship calls another station with DSC, it is recommended they send their position. For RT communication a ship should use a channel given by the called station. (usually simplex).
On Board Communication – used for onboard radio communications using handheld VHF. (only simplex channels, but not VHF CH 16)
Boat Marinas – provide availability of moorings, recommendations for sailing into port and harbour facilities and so forth. UK marinas use VHF CH 80 channel. Dedicated VHF channels are available for particular geographical areas, for example CH M (157.850 MHz) and CH M2 (161.425 MHz) are “private” channels that have been allocated by the UK government specifically for use by marinas, yacht clubs and pleasure craft. In the Adriatic Sea, channel 17 is used for this type of communication.
MSI (Maritime Safety Information) – this includes weather forecasts and broadcasts, navigational warnings and SAR information. Normally transmitted by RT to all stations by either shore-based CRS or CG on working channels either at regular published times or indicated by initial alerting by DSC on VHF CH 70. For instance, when sailing in the East Central part of the Adriatic Sea, the Split Harbour Master’s Office broadcasts a continuous taped-voice giving weather information for the coastal waters of Croatia in Croatian, English, Italian and German on VHF CH 67. These broadcasts are made throughout the year and are repeated approximately every 10 minutes with the tapes being updated at 0700 hrs, 1300 hrs and 1900 hrs LT (Local Time). The information broadcast includes a brief situation report, 24 hour short forecast and a barometric pressure report.
SAR (Search And Rescue) - used for search and rescue and anti-pollution operations. VHF CH 67 has been allocated in the UK not only for inter-ship working but also for CG SAR, as necessary. If necessary, the CG can also designate any other channel. VHF CH 06 is designated to be used for communication with aircraft in the event of SAR action. NOTE: In case of SAR action, those channels should not be used for reasons other than for distress communication.
DSC Distress, Urgency, Safety and Routine Alerting – VHF CH 70 is available exclusively for DSC Distress Alerts and Urgency, Safety and Routine calls only. This channel must not be used for RT communications, and this is actually prevented by the communication equipment itself.
Inter-ship – used for radio communication between ships at sea. When a ship calls another ship through DSC, the calling ship should advise the called ship of the working channel for RT communication. This channel should be simplex. VHF CH 13 should be used only for safety of navigation.
Public correspondence - CRS (Coast Radio Stations) - to interface between boats at sea with the main shore based telecommunications networks; to provide facilities for testing VHF radios; to transmit weather forecasts, broadcasts and navigational warnings and for coordinating SAR; to coordinate Maritime or Medical Advice or Assistance; to receive boat voyage reports on leaving or entering port and ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), and so on and so forth. NOTE: When a ship calls CRS with DSC, it is recommended that they send their position too. For RT communication a ship should use a channel allocated by CRS (normally duplex).
CG (Coast Guards) - may provide the same facilities as CRS, with the exception of interfacing with main shore based telecommunications networks, in coastal regions where there is no established CRS. When a ship calls CG with DSC, it is recommended to send its position. For RT communication a ship should use the channel given by CG (which could be simplex or duplex).
Port Operations – provide radio communication services in harbour with port operators, pilot vessels, tugs, pilot stations and all associated VTMS (Vessel Traffic Management Services). When a ship calls another station with DSC, it is recommended they send their position. For RT communication a ship should use a channel given by the called station. (usually simplex).
On Board Communication – used for onboard radio communications using handheld VHF. (only simplex channels, but not VHF CH 16)
Boat Marinas – provide availability of moorings, recommendations for sailing into port and harbour facilities and so forth. UK marinas use VHF CH 80 channel. Dedicated VHF channels are available for particular geographical areas, for example CH M (157.850 MHz) and CH M2 (161.425 MHz) are “private” channels that have been allocated by the UK government specifically for use by marinas, yacht clubs and pleasure craft. In the Adriatic Sea, channel 17 is used for this type of communication.
MSI (Maritime Safety Information) – this includes weather forecasts and broadcasts, navigational warnings and SAR information. Normally transmitted by RT to all stations by either shore-based CRS or CG on working channels either at regular published times or indicated by initial alerting by DSC on VHF CH 70. For instance, when sailing in the East Central part of the Adriatic Sea, the Split Harbour Master’s Office broadcasts a continuous taped-voice giving weather information for the coastal waters of Croatia in Croatian, English, Italian and German on VHF CH 67. These broadcasts are made throughout the year and are repeated approximately every 10 minutes with the tapes being updated at 0700 hrs, 1300 hrs and 1900 hrs LT (Local Time). The information broadcast includes a brief situation report, 24 hour short forecast and a barometric pressure report.
SAR (Search And Rescue) - used for search and rescue and anti-pollution operations. VHF CH 67 has been allocated in the UK not only for inter-ship working but also for CG SAR, as necessary. If necessary, the CG can also designate any other channel. VHF CH 06 is designated to be used for communication with aircraft in the event of SAR action. NOTE: In case of SAR action, those channels should not be used for reasons other than for distress communication.
Last modified: Saturday, 25 April 2020, 7:50 PM