VHF Radio Channel Quick Reference

• Bridges & Locks = Channel 9 or Channel 13
• Channel Avoidance or Passing = Channel 13
• Coast Guard Reserved = Channel 22A
• Commercial Use Only = Channel 1, Channel 7, Channel 11, Channel 18, Channel 19, Channel 63, Channel 67, Channel 79 or Channel 80
• Emergency = Channel 16
• Digital (Not Voice) = Channel 70
• Hailing = Channel 16
• Hailing Large Ships = Channel 13 or Channel 16
• Radio Checks = Channel 9
• Radio Traffic = Channel 68, Channel 69, Channel 71, Channel 72 or Channel 78A

Note

• Bridge and lock channel hails vary by state.
• Hail on Channel 16 then immediately switch to a traffic channel.
• Ships tend to use Channel 13.