1. Operators must hold a Restricted Certificate of Competency in Radiotelephony

(Information from the Department of Communications, Marine V.H.F. Section. )

2. V.H.F. transmission is line of sight, that is, one aerial should see the other.

Normal communication to/from inflatables is 2.5 to 4 nautical miles.

3. Channel 16 (CH16) is the International Distress, Safety and Calling frequency.

4.

DISTRESS:?MAYDAY? (spoken 3 times) when imminent danger to people or vessel.
URGENCY:

threatening. (?Pan Pan Medico? for medical assistance).

?PAN PAN? (spoken 3 times) when in need of assistance, but not life
SAFETY:

important information to vessels.

Distress and Urgency are given on CH.16; Safety given on a working channel.

5.

*Call on CH.16. When contact is made,move to agreed channel to speak further.

This channel should not be local station in use.

*Speak slowly and clearly.

6.

(a) Your call sign (e.g. Name of vessel).

(b) Location (include local landmarks).

(c) Nature of problem and assistance required.

(d) Number of personnel involved.

(e) Information of any location change.

7. Silence must be observed by all other users during transmissions.

8. Radio silence is observed by all stations on CH.16 for 3 minutes past every hour and half-hour,

except in an emergency.

9.

?SECURITE? (spoken 3 times) for navigational hazards,weather warnings, or otherTO OPERATE: *Hold upright approximately 4? away from mouth.IN EMERGENCY: Give the following;IT IS FORBIDDEN:

• To use bad language.
• To make unnecessary transmissions.
• To make false or incorrect distress, safety or I.D. signals.

10. A C.F.T. VHF cert will be issued for insertion into the logbook on producing proof of passing the

written Department of Communications examination.

USE OF V.H.F. RADIO