The marine frequency band for VHF radio communication, extending between 156 MHz and 174 MHz, contains 57 individual VHF CH (channels) numbered consecutively from VHF CH 1 to VHF CH 28 and from VHF CH 60 to VHF CH 88. The individual frequencies for each channel and whether they operate as either SIMPLEX or DUPLEX mode (explained in following chapters) have been allocated by international agreement. There are exceptions, which have been allocated by the USA for example, where some channels in the international scheme are duplex but are simplex in the US version. Consequently marine VHF radios have a special US/USA function which enables appropriate transfer to the correct channels when working in United States coastlines.
VHF CH |
Simplex/Duplex |
The use of the Channel |
VHF CH |
Simplex/Duplex |
The use of the Channel |
01 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
60 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
02 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
61 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
03 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
62 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
04 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
63 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
05 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
64 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
06 |
S |
Inter-ship & Aero SAR |
65 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
07 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
66 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
08 |
S |
Inter-ship |
67 |
S |
Inter-ship & |
09 |
S |
Inter-ship |
68 |
S |
Port Operations |
10 |
S |
Inter-ship & |
69 |
S |
Inter-ship |
11 |
S |
Port Operations |
70 |
S |
DSC Distress, Urgency, Safety & Routine Alerting |
12 |
S |
Port Operations |
71 |
S |
Port Operations |
13 |
S |
Inter-ship Navigational Safety & Port Operations |
72 |
S |
Inter-ship |
14 |
S |
Port Operations |
73 |
S |
Inter-ship & |
15 |
S |
On Board Communications (Max Power 1 watt) |
74 |
S |
Port Operations |
16 |
S |
RT Distress, Urgency, Safety & Routine Calling |
75 |
S |
Restricted to navigation-related communication only
|
17 |
S |
On Board Communications (Max Power 1 watt) |
76 |
S |
Restricted to navigation-related communication only
|
18 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
77 |
S |
Inter-ship |
19 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
78 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
20 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
79 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
21 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
80 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
22 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
81 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
23 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
82 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
24 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
83 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
25 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
84 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
26 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
85 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
27 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
86 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
28 |
D |
Public Correspondence |
87 |
S |
Port Operations |
88 |
S |
Port Operations |
International scheme of VHF channels
Some channels indicated above may be used for particular applications dependending on the geographical area in which you are sailing.