Connecticut VHF Procedures Explained

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Connecticut VHF Procedures Explained

Although not required in recreational boats under 65.5 feet long, a Very High Frequency (VHF) Marine Radio allows instant communication between your boat and other boats, marinas, bridges, and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). It is the primary means of communication on coastal waters and has many characteristics which make it preferable to a cell phone, CB Radio, or other means of communication. Most VHF Marine Radios also have instant access to NOAA weather forecasts, 24 hours a day.

Do I need a license?

Recreational boater traveling within the United States do not need a license for a VHF Marine Radio.

If I have a radio do I have to listen to it all the time?

When the radio is on, you must maintain a watch on VHF Channel 16. In USCG District I waters (northern New Jersey to Canada), urgent marine information broadcasts, such as storm warnings, are announced on Channel 16. Read more about Connecticut VHF Procedures Explained on the states site.

(NOTE: These instructions are based on USCG District 1 in which Channel 9 is the designated hailing channel.)

What about in an emergency situation like mayday?

“MAYDAY” is to be used ONLY in an emergency in which the boat and/or persons on board are in imminent danger of sinking or major injury or death. You may only have seconds to send a distress call. Here’s what you do. Transmit in this order:

  1. Tune your radio to Channel 16.
  2. Distress signal “MAYDAY“, (spoken three times).
  3. The words “THIS IS“, spoken once.
  4. Name of vessel in distress (spoken three times).
  5. Give position of vessel by latitude or longitude or by bearing (true or magnetic, state which) and distance to a well-known landmark such as a navigational aid or small island, or in any terms which will assist a responding station in locating the vessel in distress. Include any information on vessel movement such as course, speed and destination.
  6. Provide nature of distress (sinking, fire etc.).
  7. Indicate number of persons onboard.
  8. Provide kind of assistance desired.
  9. Any other information which might facilitate rescue, such as length or tonnage of vessel, number of persons needing medical attention, color hull, cabin, masts, etc.
  10. The word “OVER“.

Stay by the radio if possible. Even after the message has been received, the USCG can find you more quickly if you can transmit a signal on which a rescue boat or aircraft can home in on.

An Example of a Mayday Call
  • “MAYDAY – MAYDAY – MAYDAY – THIS IS BLUE DUCK – BLUE DUCK – BLUE DUCK – CAPE HENRY LIGHT BEARS 185 DEGREES MAGNETIC – DISTANCE 2 MILES STRUCK SUBMERGED OBJECT NEED PUMPS – MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND TOW. THREE ADULTS, TWO CHILDREN ONBOARD. ONE PERSON COMPOUND FRACTURE OF ARM. ESTIMATE CAN REMAIN AFLOAT TWO HOURS. THIRTY TWO FOOT CABIN CRUISER – WHITE HULL – BLUE DECK HOUSE OVER”.
  • Repeat at intervals until an answer is received.
  • For a potentially dangerous situation, which may or may not end up in a “MAYDAY”, use “PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN” (pronounced pahn pahn). It is used when the safety of a vessel or person is in jeopardy.
  • For important announcements that you want others to pay attention to, say “SECURITAY” (the French pronunciation of “Security”). For example to report a submerged log in a particular vicinity.