Marine Radios Question

[Sixshooter]

Okay guys and gals.

I've been reading up on the does and don'ts of the VHF Marine Radio Etiquette.

I also read that recently the Coast Guard and FCC have decieded that all recreational boaters Hail on channel 9.

Is this true, Is channel 16 no longer a hailing frequency but only for distress and emergency bulletings?

[Sixshooter]

Perhaps I answered my own question on the water this evening. There were people using both 9 and 16 to hail boats...And somebody thought it would be fun to que the mike and let everybody listen to his party going on in the back ground for about five minutes... Sounded like they were having a good time.

[SnowSledHead]

You are only supposed to use Ch 9. Ch 16 is only for a distress frequency now. the Coast Guard had it planned out since the mid '90's to switch to ch 9. Most of the people sit on their mic's while they drive and it key's up.

[Sixshooter]

Thank you for your reply...

[captdenny]

Marine radios are communication devices with several channels used for boat to boat or ship to shore messages. Hailing channel 9 was set up because 16 was getting too much idle chatter, both 16 and 9 should not be used to carry out the convestation. :) :)