Master Your VHF Radio: The Voice of Safety at Sea

Sailing Munich
4 days ago
4 min read

Your VHF radio is your most vital link to the outside world while on the water. It is the standard form of communication for marinas, the Coast Guard, and vessel-to-vessel contact. Unlike a cell phone, it is monitored, reliable, and designed for the specific environment of the open sea. However, using it effectively requires more than just pressing a button. It requires learning the language of the ocean.

To operate a marine radio with the precision of a professional skipper, you must understand the hardware, the etiquette, and the critical protocols for distress situations.

The Golden Rule: Always Be Listening

Your VHF is primarily a safety tool. Even if you do not intend to transmit, you should maintain a "Radio Watch" on Channel 16 (156.8MHz) while underway. This is the international hailing and distress frequency. By monitoring this channel, you receive weather alerts, navigational warnings, and potentially, a distress call from a fellow sailor who needs assistance.

Essential Radio Features

Before you transmit, you must understand the three key controls on your unit:

Squelch Control: This filter eliminates static noise. Turn the dial until the static stops, but do not go further, or you risk filtering out weak voice transmissions.
Transmission Power: Always start with the lowest setting (1 watt). This reduces interference for distant stations. Switch to high power (25 watts) only for distress calls or when communicating over long distances.
DSC (Digital Selective Calling): This is the "red button" on modern radios. When programmed with your vessel's MMSI number, pressing this sends an instant digital distress alert with your GPS coordinates to the Coast Guard and nearby vessels.

The NATO Phonetic Alphabet

Clarity is king on the radio. Static, wind, and engine noise can make similar-sounding letters (like 'B', 'D', 'P', and 'T') impossible to distinguish. To ensure your message is received, especially when spelling out boat names or coordinates, you must use the NATO Phonetic Alphabet:

A - Alpha
B - Bravo
C - Charlie
D - Delta
E - Echo
F - Foxtrot
G - Golf
H - Hotel
I - India
J - Juliet
K - Kilo
L - Lima
M - Mike
N - November
O - Oscar
P - Papa
Q - Quebec
R - Romeo
S - Sierra
T - Tango
U - Uniform
V - Victor
W - Whiskey
X - X-ray
Y - Yankee
Z - Zulu

Note regarding numbers: Digits should be spoken individually. The number 112 is spoken as "One-One-Two."

The Three Calls of Distress

There is a strict hierarchy of emergency calls. Misusing these can interfere with genuine rescue operations. You must know the difference between Mayday, Pan-Pan, and Securité.

1. MAYDAY (Grave and Imminent Danger) This is the highest level of distress. It is used only when there is an immediate threat to life or the vessel, such as sinking, fire, or a medical emergency where death is imminent.

Procedure: Spoken three times ("MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY").
Action: If you hear this and are not involved, cease transmission immediately and listen. You are required to assist if you are the nearest vessel and able to do so without endangering your own crew.

2. PAN-PAN (Urgency) Pronounced "Pahn-Pahn," this indicates an urgent situation that is not yet life-threatening. Examples include a demasted vessel not in immediate danger of sinking, engine failure in a shipping lane, or a medical issue that requires a doctor but is not cardiac arrest.

Procedure: Spoken three times ("PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN").

3. SECURITÉ (Safety) Pronounced "Say-Cure-E-Tay," this is a safety signal used to broadcast navigational warnings or meteorological information. You will often hear ferries use this when entering a narrow channel, or the Coast Guard using it to announce a drifting hazard or approaching storm.

Procedure: Spoken three times ("SECURITÉ, SECURITÉ, SECURITÉ").

Radio Etiquette and Prowords

To keep Channel 16 clear for emergencies, conversations must be brief and precise. Use standard "procedure words" (prowords) to avoid confusion.

"This is...": Used to identify your vessel.
"Roger": Message received and understood.
"Wilco": I will comply.
"Say Again": Please repeat your message.
"Over": I have finished speaking and am waiting for a reply.
"Out": I have finished speaking and no reply is expected.
Important: Never say "Over and Out." These are contradictory terms.

How to Hail Another Vessel

When calling a marina or another boat, follow the "times three" rule to ensure contact, then immediately switch to a working channel (non-emergency channel).

The Hailing Procedure:

Ensure you are on Channel 16 (or the marina's designated channel).
Say the name of the station you are calling three times.
Say "This is" followed by your boat name.
Say "Over."

Example:

You: "Lady Grey, Lady Grey, Lady Grey. This is Time Out. Over." Response: "Time Out, This is Lady Grey. Over." You: "Lady Grey. Switch to Channel 68. Over."

Once you switch to Channel 68, you can proceed with your conversation.

Mastering the VHF radio is about more than rules, it is about the discipline of good seamanship. When you speak on the radio, you are broadcasting your competence to every sailor in range. Speak clearly, keep it brief, and always respect the channel.

Fair winds,

Leonardo Cunha

Sailing Munich