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Marine VHF Lingo and Channels
Communication Techniques Via VHF Marine Radio
- Adjust the “squelch” control to the lowest possible setting without hearing static or white noise in the background.
- Push the button on the microphone to send your message. Press and hold the transmit button and speak in a clear, slow voice.
- Due to the potential for static in the background, you may need to spell out words in order to be understood clearly.
- Once finished with your message, State "Over" which means you are standing by and waiting for a response. The ONLY time you will use "Over and Out" is when you no longer want to communicate and you will NOT be standing buy and waiting for a response.
Tools to Download
When communicating with the USCG they would like you to follow this proceedure: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:0da17d4a-0d12-4296-8929-083d6b7645d2
Common VHF Terminology to Know
Use this guide for learning the phonetic alphabet in order to spell out names and words quickly and clearly:
- A: Alpha
- B: Bravo
- C: Charlie
- D: Delta
- E: Echo
- F: Foxtrot
- G: Golf
- H: Hotel
- I: India
- J: Juliet
- K: Kilo
- L: Lima
- M: Mike
- N: November
- O: Oscar
- P: Papa
- Q: Quebec
- R: Romeo
- S: Sierra
- T: Tango
- U: Uniform
- V: Victor
- W: Whiskey
- X: X-ray
- Y: Yankee
- Z: Zulu
Other important terms include a variation of emergency procedure words, which can alert all in the area to the seriousness of your situation with minimal talking required. Here is a list of words you should memorize and use in case of emergency:
- Mayday, Mayday, Mayday: A boat or crew is in grave danger, including a life-threatening emergency or possibility of losing the watercraft.
- Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan: A boat or crew requires urgent assistance, such as a serious mechanical breakdown that is urgent but not life-threatening. This term handles such a wide range of difficulties, so be sure to add more information following the use of this term.
- Sécurité, Sécurité, Sécurité: Important safety information follows after this word — it could be important information for another vessel’s safety. This covers a wide range of issues such as hazards to avoid, coast guard safety broadcasts, traffic alerts, etc.
