Effective Communication For Safety

The importance of a VHF radio cannot be understated. It is an important piece for safety and it goes a long way in ensuring that there is an adequate communication channel between you and the relevant authorities while you’re on your boat.

Preemptive measures are important and must be constantly considered to ensure that all is in order and everyone is safe. The radio provides a safe and secure channel to the marine authorities. It’s an effective way through which you can reach out when there is a need to.

This can be in times of emergency or when you need some form of help. Regardless, the VHF radio is an important piece that forms a part of your boat and must be constantly present in your boat.

Before you sail, you must ensure that you check the radio and make sure it’s working right. You can familiarise yourself with the radio by reading the manual that comes with it. The manual clearly details all that you need to know about the use of the radio.

It also explains the controls and how you can reach out in times of emergency. After understanding the radio, you can begin to sail. You might think that the radio is unneeded.

However, this isn’t so. Emergencies happen every time and boating is no exception. More so, you could get lost while boating, either by losing your way or being unable to read the map to get back to the route you know. Either way, in times like this, you can reach out using the VHF radio. Here is the basic step to using the radio.

Using The VHF Radio

Start by putting the radio on through the knob. Keep turning the knob till the static no longer makes the sound. Once it stops, tune the radio to channel 16, which is the channel that the marine authorities monitor.

Ensure you perform a check to be certain that the radio is working right. You can do this using other channels except channel 16 so that you don’t cause a false alarm. Test the radio and be sure the other person hears you from their end. This is to ensure that the radio is in good condition and useful for you.

Be a good listener. It is important that you first listen to the radio to check if there is an existing communication. This is to make sure you do not interrupt if there is one.

Put the radio to watt-power and get the microphone set. By keying the microphone, it makes it ready for use. Always ensure you radio-check 3 times by stating your name and location the 3 times.

After calling and checking in, you’ll have to wait for a response to be sure someone heard your call. Remember that for communication establishment, the channel frequency to call for VHF is channel 16. Once communication is established, you can carry on with what you need to report if there is one. You can also use the radio with other channels, as well as other boats.