VHF marine radio channels for recreational boaters

It’s important that boaters use the correct channel when communicating on a VHF (very high frequency) marine band radio. Here are VHF-FM non-commercial channels recreational boaters may use in specific situations. Federal Communications Commission regulations require boaters having VHF radios to maintain a watch on either channel 9 or channel 16, whenever the radio is turned on and not communicating with another station. All non-emergency traffic should be communicated on another channel (not channels 9 or 16).

Please note, channel numbers previously designated by a two-digital channel number ending with the letter A are now recognized internationally by a four-digit channel number beginning with a “10.” For example, channel 22A is now 1022.

VHF-FM Channels 9 and 16

The FCC established VHF-FM channel 9 as a supplementary calling channel for noncommercial vessels (recreational boaters) at the request of the U.S. Coast Guard. A ship or shore unit wishing to call a boater would do so on channel 9, and anyone (boaters included) wishing to call a commercial ship or shore activity would continue to do so on channel 16. Recreational boaters would continue to call the Coast Guard and any commercial facility on channel 16. The purpose of the FCC regulation was to relieve congestion on VHF channel 16, the distress, safety and calling frequency. Since the Coast Guard generally does not have the capability of announcing an urgent marine information broadcast or weather warning on channel 9, use of channel 9 is optional. The Coast Guard recommends boaters normally keep tuned to and use channel 16 in those waters unless otherwise notified by the Coast Guard.