1
English
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)
us Marine Channels and Frequencies
Ch No.
RX Freq
TX Freq
Status
Name on display
1A*
156.0500
156.0500
Simplex
Vessel traffic system/
Commercial
5A
156.2500
156.2500
Simplex
Vessel traffic system/
Commercial
6
156.3000
156.3000
Simplex
Inter-ship safety
7A
156.3500
156.3500
Simplex
Commercial
8
156.4000
156.4000
Simplex
Commercial
9
156.4500
156.4500
Simplex
Non commercial
10
156.5000
156.5000
Simplex
Commercial
11
156.5500
156.5500
Simplex
Vessel traffic system
12
156.6000
156.6000
Simplex
Vessel traffic system