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VFH Radio Essentials
VHF Radio is invaluable tool for mariners. VHF Radio makes it possible for mariners to request emergency assistance from local Coast Guard teams and other boats, transmit warning messages such as alarming weather conditions or encounters with hazardous obstacles, and carry out other important peer to peer communication.
There are various aspects of VHF Radio that users are required to understand prior to attempting to operate one. In order to operate VHF radio, users must have Restricted Operator's (Maritime) certification. Find out how to get certified here.
Channel Assignments
Table of Transmitting Frequencies for the Band 156-174 MHz in the Maritime Mobile Service for Pacific Waters
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VHF 156 - 162MHz
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Channel
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Assignment
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5A
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Vessel Traffic Service - Seattle - Strait of Juan de Fuca west of Victoria.
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6
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Intership Safety
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9
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Intership & Ship-Shore - All Vessels
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11
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Vessel Traffic Service - Victoria - Strait of Juan de Fuca east of Victoria; Haro Strait; Boundary Passage; Gulf Islands; Strait of Georgia.
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12
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Vessel Traffic Service - Vancouver - Vancouver and Howe Sound
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13
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Bridge-to-bridge (hail ships)
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15
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1 Watt only, EPIRB buoy
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16
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Distress, Emergency, Safety Calling - ONLY
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17
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1 Watt only, Pilotage
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22
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Coast Guard Liaison
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66A
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Calling B.C. Marinas
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67
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Intership & Ship-Shore - All Vessels
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68
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Intership & Ship-Shore - Pleasure Vessels & Marinas South of Courtenay
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69
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Intership & Ship-Shore - Pleasure Vessels
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71
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Vessel Traffic Service - Comox - Northern Strait of Georgia, Discovery Passage, Queen Charlotte Strait, Prince Rupert -Dixon Entrance, Prince Rupert Harbour, and southern Queen Charlotte Sound.
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72
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Intership - All Vessels
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73
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Intership & Ship-Shore - All Vessels & Marinas Campbell River and North
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74
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Vessel Traffic Service - Victoria - Fraser River and Tofino - West Vancouver Island
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83A
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Calling Coast Guard
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Distress Calls
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MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY
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Top Level Emergency
Usage: Immediate threat to life and property.
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY
This is... (Vessel Name, Call Sign)
(Vessel Name, Call Sign)
(Vessel Name, Call Sign)
Our position is... (Latitude/Longitude, relative position to Buoy)
The problem is... (Describe what has happened)
I require... (Describe the assistance you need)
There are (number of) people on board
They are... (OK/injured/ill/overboard)
(Include any other information that will assist the rescue)
Over
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MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY
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Top Level Emergency Relay Message
Usage: Immediate threat to another person's life or property.
MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY
This is... (Your Vessel Name, Call Sign)
(Your Vessel Name, Call Sign)
(Your Vessel Name, Call Sign)
Position is... (Relay Latitude/Longitude, relative position to Buoy)
Problem is... (Relay what has happened)
I require... (Relay the assistance needed)
There are (number of) people on board
They are... (OK/injured/ill/overboard)
(Include any other information that station in crisis added to assist the rescue)
Over
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PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN
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Very Urgent Message
Usage: Urgent, but not immediate, threat to life or property. For example, engine breakdown.
PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN
Specific Station (or) All Stations
Specific Station (or) All Stations
Specific Station (or) All Stations
This is... (Vessel Name, Call Sign)
(Vessel Name, Call Sign)
(Vessel Name, Call Sign)
Our position is... (Latitude/Longitude, relative position to Buoy)
The problem is... (Describe what has happened)
I require... (Describe the assistance you need)
There are (number of) people on board
They are... (OK/injured/ill/overboard)
(Include any other information that will assist the rescue)
Over
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SECURITE, SECURITE, SECURITE
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Safety Message
Usage: Maneuvering instructions.
SECURITE, SECURITE, SECURITE
Specific Station (or) All Stations
Specific Station (or) All Stations
Specific Station (or) All Stations
This is... (Vessel Name, Call Sign)
(Vessel Name, Call Sign)
(Vessel Name, Call Sign)
Safety Message... (Describe the safety message)
Out
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SELONCE
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Urgent Request for Radio Silence
Usage (Request For Radio Silence):
MAYDAY
All Stations
All Stations
All Stations
SELONCE MAYDAY
SELONCE MAYDAY
SELONCE MAYDAY
This is... (Your Station Name/Vessel Name)
(Your Station Name/Vessel Name)
(current Universal Time (UTC))
(Reason for radio silence)
Out
Usage (Lifting Radio Silence):
MAYDAY
All Stations
All Stations
All Stations
This is... (Your Station Name/Vessel Name)
(Your Station Name/Vessel Name)
(current Universal Time (UTC))
(Reason for radio silence)
SELONCE FENE
Out
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Terminology
Common Words
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Word
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Meaning
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Acknowledge
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Let me know that you've received and understood the message.
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Correction
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An error has been made in this transmission. The correct version is...
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Go Ahead
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Proceed with your message
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Over
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My transmission has ended and I expect a response from you.
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Out
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This conversation has ended and no response is expected.
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Read Back
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After I have given 'Over', repeat all this message back to me exactly as received.
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Roger
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I have received all of your last transmission.
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Received Number
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Receipt of your message number (...) is acknowledged.
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Stand By
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Wait to hear from me again.
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Verify
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Check with the originator and send the correct version.
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Words Twice
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As a request - Please send each word twice. As information I will send each word twice.
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Phonetic Alphabet
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A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
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G
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Alpha
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Bravo
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Charlie
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Delta
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Echo
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Foxtrot
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Golf
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H
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I
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J
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K
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L
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M
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N
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Hotel
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India
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Juliet
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Kilo
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Lima
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Mike
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November
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O
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P
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Q
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R
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S
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T
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U
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Oscar
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Papa
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Quebec
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Romeo
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Sierra
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Tango
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Uniform
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V
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W
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X
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Y
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Z
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Victor
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Whiskey
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X-Ray
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Yankee
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Zulu
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Radio Etiquette
Profane language is prohibited.
VHF Channel 16 is for Calling and Distress ONLY. Do not use this channel to chat with other vessels!
Follow local and international channel assignment, transmission rules and regulations.
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Sat, September 04, 2010
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