Marine VHF Radio Channels
Key US marine VHF channels: 16 for distress, 9 for calling, 13 for bridge-to-bridge, 22A for the Coast Guard, plus working and DSC channels and license rules.
Marine VHF is the radio service for boats. If you live, work or evacuate by water, it is the fastest way to reach the Coast Guard and nearby vessels, and every boat underway is expected to monitor channel 16.
It is not a land-based prepper radio: transmitting from shore on marine channels requires a coast station license, which individuals generally cannot obtain for personal use.
Key US marine VHF channels
| Channel | Frequency (MHz) | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 156.800 | Distress, safety and calling. Monitored by the Coast Guard |
| 9 | 156.450 | Boater calling channel (recreational), secondary to 16 |
| 13 | 156.650 | Bridge-to-bridge navigation safety, 1 W |
| 22A | 157.100 | Coast Guard liaison and maritime safety information broadcasts |
| 6 | 156.300 | Intership safety, search and rescue coordination |
| 12 | 156.600 | Port operations and vessel traffic service (some ports) |
| 14 | 156.700 | Port operations and vessel traffic service (some ports) |
| 68 | 156.425 | Non-commercial (recreational) working channel |
| 69 | 156.475 | Non-commercial working channel |
| 71 | 156.575 | Non-commercial working channel |
| 72 | 156.625 | Non-commercial working channel, ship-to-ship only |
| 78A | 156.925 | Non-commercial working channel |
| 70 | 156.525 | Digital selective calling (DSC) only, no voice |
Licensing and rules
- In the US, recreational boats under 20 meters (65.6 ft) that stay in domestic waters do not need an FCC ship station license for a VHF radio. Boats traveling to foreign ports do, and the operator needs a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit.
- To use the DSC distress button you need an MMSI number programmed into the radio; domestic users can get one free from BoatUS, Sea Tow or the US Power Squadrons.
- Fixed marine radios are limited to 25 watts (most handhelds run 5–6 W); use 1 W low power for short-range calls.
Practical tips
- Distress call: "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY", your vessel name, position, nature of the emergency and number of people aboard, on channel 16.
- Hail on 16 or 9, then move to a working channel such as 68 or 69 to talk.
- Most marine radios also receive the NOAA weather channels.
Frequently asked questions
What is the marine emergency channel?
Channel 16 (156.800 MHz), the international distress, safety and calling channel. The US Coast Guard monitors it continuously.
Can I use a marine VHF radio on land?
Generally no. Transmitting from land on marine channels requires a coast station license, which is not issued for personal emergency use. Use GMRS, ham or CB on land instead.