How to Use an Emergency Radio on a Boat

Whether you're using your boat for sport, such as racing or fishing, or you're taking your boat out on the water for a day of sun and relaxation, you want to have an enjoyable time. But if an emergency arises, being prepared by knowing ahead of time how to use an emergency radio to call for help. It may just save your life.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Know your state's guidelines and stock your boat with the proper supplies. Before you put your boat into the water, many states require you to participate in a boater's safety course. If you're not required to take this course, find out what your state requires as far as life jackets, emergency rafts, fire extinguishers and emergency radio access.

2. Install an emergency radio. A VHF (very high frequency) marine radio is the one recommended for use on boats. Make a list of the important channels and place it in an area of the boat where it will not be subject to the weather or water. Be sure to include on your list Channel 16, which is the channel to use when making your first contact with other stations, to make distress calls or to communicate an emergency with the Coast Guard.

3. Learn the proper procedure for reporting an emergency. Resort only to dispatching a "mayday" call when there is imminent risk of loss of property or life. Relay your "mayday" call by stating the name of your vessel three times, your location (longitude and latitude coordinates, if possible), your emergency and the number of passengers on board.

4. Wait for a response to your initial emergency call. The procedure to continue with using your emergency radio is to wait for a response. If a minute of time lapses with no response to your first call for help, repeat your message from Step 3.

5. Determine your emergency needs. If the time arises that you need to use your VHF marine radio in a real-life emergency, remain calm and assess the situation. For problems that may not constitute a "life or death" emergency, switch from Channel 16 to a different channel and seek guidance or proceed back to dry land.

6. Follow the procedures in Steps 3 and 4 to report an immediate emergency using the emergency radio on your boat.

Tips & Warnings

• To make sure your emergency radio is working properly, you can request a "radio check" on Channels 9 or 68. Never ask for a "radio check" on Channel 16.
• If you hear an emergency broadcast from another boat, stay off the radio. Write down what you hear concerning their emergency in case you need to relay that message to the Coast Guard or responding rescue agency.

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