Coast Guard pushes VHF channel 9

The Coast Guard is increasing efforts to establish VHF Channel 9, rather than Channel 16, as the standard hailing channel for recreational vessels. Most recently, the Coast Guard Ninth District, which covers the Great Lakes, has been advising operators of recreational vessels to use Channel 9 except in emergency, since the Coast Guard does not monitor this channel. The Channel 9 option was reportedly begun in waters off Massachusetts, and the practice has proven successful at reducing noise on 16 without compromising safety, according to the Coast Guard.

By Ocean Navigator