Appendix C VHF Channels

Appendix C VHF Channels

International marine VHF channels and frequencies.

Be aware that:

• Intership channels are for communications between ship stations. Intership
  communications should be restricted to channels 6, 8, 72 and 77. If these are not
  available, the other channels marked for Intership may be used.
• Channel 70 is used exclusively for Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and is not available for
  regular voice communications.
   

Note:

1. Channel 06 may also be used for communications between ship stations and aircraft
   engaged in coordinated search and rescue operations. Ship stations should avoid harmful
   interference to such communications on channel 06 as well as to communications between
   aircraft stations, ice breakers and assisted ships during ice seasons.
2. The implemented International voice plan omits 24/25/26/84/85/86, and uses 1027/1028
   rather than 27/28 for analogue voice.
3. Within the European Maritime Area and in Canada, channels 10, 67 and 73 may also be
   used by the individual administrations concerned for communication between ship
   stations, aircraft stations and participating land stations engaged in coordinated search
   and rescue and anti-pollution operations in local areas. Channel 10 or 73 (depending on
   location) are also used for the broadcast of Marine Safety Information by the Maritime and
   Coast Guard Agency in the UK only.
4. Channel 13 is designated for use on a worldwide basis as a navigation safety
   communication channel, primarily for intership navigation safety communications.
5. Channels 15 and 17 may also be used for on-board communications provided the effective
   radiated power does not exceed 1 Watt.
6. The use of channels 75 and 76 should be restricted to navigation related communications
   only and all precautions should be taken to avoid harmful interference to channel 16.
   Transmit power is limited to 1 Watt.
    

Private Channels (Europe only)

The national channels listed above have been allocated for the specific use within the countries listed. To use these channels, you must have the appropriate licence.

US Marine VHF Channels and Frequencies

Note:

Some of the channel numbers have recently changed. For completeness, both old and new numbers are shown in the table below.

Be aware that:

• Recreational boaters normally use channels listed as Non-commercial: 68, 69, 71, 72 1078.
• Channel 70 is used exclusively for DSC and is not available for regular voice communications.
• Channels 75 and 76 are reserved as guards bands for channel 16 and are not available for regular voice communications.

Note:

1. Four digit channels indicate simplex use of the ship station transmit side of an international semi-duplex channel. Operations are different from that of international operations on that channel.
2. Channel 13 should be used to contact a ship when there is danger of collision. All ships of length 20 metres or greater are required to guard VHF channel 13, in addition to VHF channel 16, when operating within US territorial waters.
3. Channel 15 is receive only.
4. Channel 16 is used for calling other stations or for distress calls.
5. Channel 17 and channel 77 have a fixed power output of 1 watt.
6. Channel 13 and channel 67 have an initial power output of 1 watt. User can temporarily override this restrictions to transmit at high power.
7. VDSMS (VHF Digital Small Message Services). Transmissions of short digital messages in accordance with RTCM Standard 12301.1 is allowed.

WX (Weather) Channels (North America only)

Canadian marine VHF channels and frequencies

Note:

Some of the channel numbers have recently changed. For completeness, both old and new numbers are shown in the table below.

Area of operation:

• AC — Atlantic Coast, Gulf and St. Lawrence River up to and including Montreal.
• BCC — British Columbia Coast (Pacific Coast).
• EC — East Coast: includes NL, AC, GL and Eastern Arctic areas.
• GL — Great Lakes: includes St. Lawrence above Montreal.
• NL — Newfoundland and Labrador.
• WC — West Coast: includes BCC, Western Arctic and Athabasca-Mackenzie Watershed areas.
• INLD BC — Inland waters of BC and the Yukon.
• INLD PRA — Inland waters of MB, SK and AB.

Note:

1. Four digit channels indicate simplex use of the ship station transmit side of an international semi-duplex channel. Operations are different from that of international operations on that channel.
2. Channel 16 is used for calling other stations or for distress calls.
3. Channel 70 is used exclusively for Digital Selective Calling and is not available for regular voice communications.