REFERENCE TABLES
NOTE: This radio does not support AIS channels.
Channel Descriptions and What They Mean
The table below lists the display name or channel description used in the following
tables and what each description means.
Channel name/description
Used for
DISTRESS SAFETY AND CALLING
primarily emergency messages and distress calls
INTERSHIP SAFETY
safety messages from one ship to another, or from a
ship to Coast Guard aircraft
NON-COMMERCIAL (recreational or
voluntary ships only)
messages about the needs of the ship, including
fishing reports, rendezvous, scheduling repairs and
berthing information
COMMERCIAL (working ships only) messages about the needs of the ship or the business
the ship is engaged in
PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE/
MARINE OPERATOR
calls to the marine operator at a public coast station.
Marine operators can connect you to the telephone
network so you can make and receive calls. (There is
usually a charge for this service.)
PORT OPERATIONS/VTS (vessel
traffic system)
messages about the movement and safety of ships in
or near ports, locks or waterways. In certain major
ports, some channels may be restricted to specific
types of port operations messages.
NAVIGATIONAL/BRIDGE TO BRIDGE
messages about ship navigation, for example, passing
or meeting other ships, maneuvering through locks, or
navigating around drawbridges. Messages must be
short!
STATE CONTROL
messages about government regulation and control,
boating activities, or assistance to ships; also used to
talk to ships and coast stations operated by state or
local governments
DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING
DSC signals only (no voice communications allowed
at any time)
VHF585 RADIO
1-800-BOATING
49
