Boating Basics: On the Water with Your Vessel

VHF Radio

You should always monitor weather developments. One way is to tune into the frequencies listed below on a VHF radio. A VHF radio is also useful if you need to summon help due to a boating emergency.

VHF Frequencies Broadcasting NOAA Weather Reports

162.400 MHz
162.425 MHz
162.450 MHz
162.475 MHz
162.500 MHz
162.525 MHz
162.550 MHz

Recreational boaters are given access to the VHF channels shown in the table below:

Channel #	Purpose of Channel
6	Intership safety communications only
9	Communications between vessels (commercial and recreational), and ship to coast
13	Strictly for navigation purposes by vessels at bridges, locks, and harbors
16	Distress and safety calls to USCG and others, and to initiate calls to other vessels
22	USCG broadcasts of severe weather warnings and other safety warnings
24 - 28	Public telephone calls (to marine operator)
68, 69, and 71	Recreational vessel radio channel and ship to shore

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission

Get Started

Boating Basics

It's the Law!

Florida Info

Printable PDF Version
of Handbook

< Back to Previous Page

Table of Contents

Go to Next Page >

Online boating safety handbook last modified: April 22, 2008
Email concerning this boat safety handbook.