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(state which) to a well-known landmark such as a navigation aid or geographic feature
such as an island or harbor entry.
4. Explain the nature of your distress (sinking, collision, aground, fire, heart attack, life-
threatening injury, etc.).
5. State the kind of assistance your desire (pumps, medical aid, etc.).
6. Report the number of persons aboard and condition of any injured.
7. Estimate the present seaworthiness and condition of your vessel.
8. Give your vessel’s description: length, design (power or sail), color and other distinguishing
marks. The total transmission should not exceed 1 minute.
9. End the message by saying “OVER.” Release the microphone button and listen.
10. If there is no answer, repeat the above procedure. If there is still no response, try another
channel.
18.7 CALLING ANOTHER VESSEL (CHANNEL 16 OR 9)
Channel 16 may be used for initial contact (hailing) with another vessel.
However, its most important use is for emergency and distress messages. This channel
must be monitored at all times except when actually using another channel.
It is monitored by the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards and by other vessels. Use of channel
16 for hailing must be limited to initial contact only. Calling should not exceed 30 seconds,
but may be repeated 3 times at 2-minute intervals. In areas of heavy radio traffic, congestion
on channel 16 resulting from its use as a hailing channel can be reduced significantly in U.S.
waters by using channel 9 as the initial contact (hailing) channel for non-emergency
communications. Here, also, calling time should not exceed 30 seconds but may be
repeated 3 times at 2-minute intervals.
Prior to making contact with another vessel, refer to the channel charts in this manual, and
select an appropriate channel for communications after initial contact. For example,
Channels 68 and 69 are some of the channels available to non-commercial (recreational)
boaters. Monitor your desired channel in advance to make sure you will not be interrupting
other traffic, and then go back to either channel 16 or 9 for your initial contact.
When the hailing channel (16 or 9) is clear, state the name of the other vessel you wish to
call and then “This is” followed by the name of your vessel and your Station License (Call
Sign). When the other vessel returns your call, immediately request another channel by
saying “Go to,” the number of the other channel, and “Over.” Then switch to the new channel.
When the new channel is not busy, call the other vessel.
After a transmission, say “Over,” and release the microphone’s push-to-talk (PTT) switch.
When all communication with the other vessel is completed, end the last transmission by
stating your Call Sign and the word “Out.” Note that it is not necessary to state your Call Sign
with each transmission, only at the beginning and end of the contact.
Remember to return to Channel 16 when not using another channel. Some radios
automatically monitor Channel 16 even when set to other channels or when scanning.
18.8 MAKING TELEPHONE CALLS
To make a radiotelephone call, use a channel designated for this purpose. The fastest way
to learn which channels are used for radiotelephone traffic is to ask at a local marina.
Channels available for such traffic are designated Public Correspondence channels on the
channel charts in this manual. Some examples for USA use are Channels 24, 25, 26, 27,
