Marine Radio

This course is for the recreational boater and the professional ship’s captain commercial qualifications!

This course sells out because recreational boaters using a VHF need this qualification as do the commercial ships captain.

Marine radios are essential safety equipment for communicating with other boats, marine rescue groups and to receive navigational warnings and weather updates. There are three types of marine radios:

·         27MHz has a very limited range and, although better than no radio, you should check that a limited coast station is in your immediate vicinity before relying on this equipment for your safety. They can be difficult to operate without training and practice.

·         VHF is the preferred radio for short range communications. All large vessels and smaller boats monitor Channel 16. Weather information is regularly broadcast on channel 67. Channel 16 is for emergencies or initial calls and should not be used for routine messages or chat. They can be difficult to operate without training and practice.

·         HF radios have a greater communication range if travelling long distances from shore although they are reliant on atmospheric conditions and to some extent on hull material. They can be difficult to operate without training and practice.