A VHF radio is only as useful as your understanding of which channel to use and when. Here’s a plain-English rundown of the channels every UK boater actually needs to know.
Channel 16: distress, safety and calling
Channel 16 is the international distress, safety and calling channel, monitored by HM Coastguard and other vessels. It’s used to raise a Mayday, issue a Pan-Pan urgency call, or make initial contact with another vessel before switching to a working channel to continue the conversation. It should never be used for routine chat.
Channel 70: DSC distress alerting
Modern VHF sets with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) use Channel 70 to send an automated distress alert containing your vessel’s identity and, if connected to GPS, your exact position. Pressing the dedicated distress button sends this alert digitally before you speak on Channel 16, which is why a DSC set connected to GPS and registered with an MMSI number is worth having over a basic radio.
Working and local channels
- Channel 6 — intership safety communications, often used between vessels in company
- Channel 13 — bridge-to-bridge, used for navigational communication around larger vessels and bridges
- Channel 67 — HM Coastguard’s primary UK working channel for small craft safety traffic
- Channel 80 — commonly used by UK marinas for berthing and general communication
- Channel M / M2 — UK private leisure channels, often used within a marina or club
Exact working channel assignments can vary by marina and harbour authority — always check the specific channel for wherever you’re heading, usually listed on the harbour or marina’s website or in the almanac.
Do you need a licence to use one?
Yes. In the UK you need a Short Range Certificate (SRC) to legally operate a marine VHF radio, plus a ship radio licence for the vessel itself, which also issues your MMSI number for DSC. Both are straightforward to obtain through RYA-affiliated training centres.
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