VHF Channels

VHF channelsInternational

International Marine VHF Channels and Frequencies

CH No.	TX Freq	RX Freq (MHz)	Single Freq (MHz)	Use
01	156.050	160.650		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
02	156.100	160.700		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
03	156.150	160.750		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
04	156.200	156.800		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
05	156.250	156.850		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
06	156.300	156.300	x	Intership. Coordinated search and rescue and ship stations working frequency
07	156.350	160.950		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
08	156.400	156.400	x	Intership. Preferred intership channel
09	156.450	156.450	x	Intership, Port operations and Ship movement.
10	156.500	156.500	x	Intership, Port operations and Ship movement. SAR, Pollution incidents, MSI broadcasts coordinated with HMCG.
11	156.550	156.550	x	Port operations and Ship movement.
12	156.600	156.600	x	Port operations and Ship movement.
13	156.650	156.650	x	Intership navigation safety (Bridge-to-bridge). International navigation safety channel. May also be used for ship movement, port operations and limited coast stations.
14	156.700	156.700	x	Port operations and Ship movement.
15	156.750	156.750	x	On-board communications. 1 watt maximum power.
16	156.800	156.800	x	International Distress, Safety and Calling.
17	156.850	156.850	x	On–board communications. 1 watt maximum power.
18	156.900	161.500		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
19	156.950	161.550		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
1019	156.950	156.950	x	Port operations and Ship movement.
2019	161.550	161.550	x	Port operations and Ship movement. Channel is limited to coast stations only unless otherwise permitted by UK regulation.
20	157.000	161.600		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
1020	157.000	157.000	x	Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
2020	161.600	161.600	x	Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement. Channel is limited to coast stations only unless otherwise permitted by UK regulation.
21	157.050	161.650		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement. Available for VDSMS
22	157.100	161.700		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement. Available for VDSMS
23	157.150	161.750		Safety. HNCG — SAR and MSI broadcasts.
24	157.200	161.800		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement. Available for VDSMS
1024	157.200	157.200	x	For future use
2024	161.800	161.800	x	For future use
25	157.250	161.850		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement. Available for VDSMS
1025	157.250	157.250	x	For future use
2025	161.850	161.850	x	For future use
26	157.300	161.900		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement. Available for VDSMS
1026	157.300	157.300	x	For future use
2026	161.900	161.900	x	For future use
27	157.350	161.950		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement. Available for testing of new AIS applications.
1027	157.350	157.350	x	Port operations and Ship movement.
2027	161.950	161.950	x	Application specific message (ASM1)
28	157.400	162.000		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement. Available for testing of new AIS applications.
1028	157.400	157.400	x	Port operations and Ship movement.
2028	162.00	162.00	x	Application specific message (ASM2)
60	156.025	160.625		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
61	156.075	160.675		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
62	156.125	160.725		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
63	156.175	160.775		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
64	156.225	160.825		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
65	156.275	160.875		UK National Coastwatch.
66	156.325	160.925		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
67	156.375	156.375	x	Intership, Port operations and Ship movement. HMCG — SAR and Safety.
68	156.425	156.425	x	Port operations and Ship movement.
69	156.475	156.475	x	Intership, Port operations and Ship movement.
71	156.575	156.575	x	Port operations and Ship movement.
72	156.625	156.625	x	Intership. Preferred intership channel.
73	156.675	156.675	x	Intership, Port operations and Ship movement. HMCG — SAR and MSI broadcasts.
74	156.725	156.725	x	Port operations and Ship movement.
75	156.775	156.775	x	Intership Navigation related communications only with 1 watt maximum power.
76	156.825	156.825	x	Intership Navigation related communications only with 1 watt maximum power.
77	156.875	156.875	x	Intership. Preferred intership channel.
78	156.925	161.525		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
1078	156.925	156.925	x	Port operations and Ship movement.
2078	161.525	161.525	x	Port operations and Ship movement. Channel is limited to coast stations only unless otherwise permitted by UK regulation.
79	156.975	161.575		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement.
1079	156.975	156.975	x	Port operations and Ship movement.
2079	161.575	161.575	x	Port operations and Ship movement. Channel is limited to coast stations only unless otherwise permitted by UK regulation.
80	157.025	161.625		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement. Also marinas and yacht clubs UK only. Available for VDSMS.
81	157.075	161.675		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement. Available for VDSMS
82	157.125	161.725		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement. Available for VDSMS
83	157.175	161.775		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement. Available for VDSMS
84	157.225	161.825		Port operations and Ship movement. HMCG — SAR and MSI broadcasts.
1084	157.225	157.225	x	For future use
2084	161.825	161.825	x	For future use
85	157.275	161.875		Public correspondence, Port operations and Ship movement. Available for VDSMS
1085	157.275	157.275	x	For future use
2085	161.875	161.875	x	For future use
86	157.325	161.925		Port operations and Ship movement. HMCG — SAR and MSI broadcasts.
1086	157.325	157.325	x	For future use
2086	161.925	161.925	x	For future use
87	157.375	157.375	x	Port operations and Ship movement. Available for testing of new AIS applications.
88	157.425	157.425	x	Port operations and Ship movement. Available for testing of new AIS applications.

Please be aware that:

Intership channels are for communications between ship stations. Intership communications should be restricted to channels 6, 8, 72 and 77. If these are not available, the other channels marked for Intership may be used.
Channel 70 is used exclusively for Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and is not available for regular voice communications.

Note

Channel 06 may also be used for communications between ship stations and aircraft engaged in coordinated search and rescue operations. Ship stations should avoid harmful interference to such communications on channel 06 as well as to communications between aircraft stations, ice breakers and assisted ships during ice seasons.
Within the European Maritime Area and in Canada, channels 10, 67 and 73 may also be used by the individual administrations concerned for communication between ship stations, aircraft stations and participating land stations engaged in coordinated search and rescue and anti-pollution operations in local areas. Channel 10 or 73 (depending on location) are also used for the broadcast of Marine Safety Information by the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency in the UK only.
Channel 13 is designated for use on a worldwide basis as a navigation safety communication channel, primarily for intership navigation safety communications.
Channels 15 and 17 may also be used for on-board communications provided the effective radiated power does not exceed 1 Watt.
The use of channels 75 and 76 should be restricted to navigation related communications only and all precautions should be taken to avoid harmful interference to channel 16. Transmit power is limited to 1 Watt.

VHF channelPrivate (Europe)

Private Channels (Europe only)

Country	Channel Designations	TX Freq	RX Freq	Channel Use
Belgium	96	162.425	162.425	Marina
Denmark	L1	155.500	155.500	Pleasure
Denmark	L2	155.525	155.525	Pleasure
Finland, Norway & Sweden	L1	155.500	155.500	Pleasure
Finland, Norway & Sweden	L2	155.525	155.525	Pleasure
Finland, Norway & Sweden	L3	155.650	155.650	Pleasure
Holland (Netherlands)	31	157.550	162.150	Marina
Holland (Netherlands)	37	157.850	157.850	Leisure
Denmark, Finland, Norway & Sweden	F1	155.625	155.625	Fishing
Denmark, Finland, Norway & Sweden	F2	155.775	155.775	Fishing
Denmark, Finland, Norway & Sweden	F3	155.825	155.825	Fishing
United Kingdom	M1	157.850	157.850	Marina
United Kingdom	M2	161.425	161.425	Marina

The national channels listed above have been allocated for the specific use within the countries listed. To use these channels you must have the appropriate license.

VHF channelsUnited States

US Marine VHF Channels and Frequencies

Note

Some of the channel numbers have recently changed. For completeness, both old and new numbers are shown in the table below.

(New) CH No.	(Old) CH No.	TX Freq (MHz)	RX Freq (MHz)	Single Freq	Use
1001	01A	156.050	156.050	x	Port operations and commercial, VTS. Available only in New Orleans / Lower Mississippi area.
1005	05A	156.250	156.250	x	Port operations or VTS in the Houston, New Orleans and Seattle areas.
06	06	156.300	156.300	x	Intership Safety.
1007	07A	156.350	156.350	x	Commercial. VDSMS.
08	08	156.400	156.400	x	Commercial (Intership only). VDSMS.
09	09	156.450	156.450	x	Boater calling. Commercial and Non-commercial. VDSMS.
10	10	156.500	156.500	x	Commercial. VDSMS.
11	11	156.550	156.550	x	Commercial. VTS in selected areas. VDSMS.
12	12	156.600	156.600	x	Port operations. VTS in selected areas.
13	13	156.650	156.650	x	Intership navigation safety (Bridge-to-bridge). Ships >20 metres in length maintain a listening watch on this channel in US waters.
14	14	156.700	156.700	x	Port operations. VTS in selected areas.
15	15	-	156.750	x	Environmental (Receive only). Used by Class ‘C’ EPIRBs.
16	16	156.800	156.800	x	International Distress, Safety and Calling. Ships required to carry radio, USCG, and most coast stations maintain a listening watch on this channel.
17	17	156.850	156.850	x	State Control.
1018	18A	156.900	156.900	x	Commercial. VDSMS.
1019	19A	156.950	156.950	x	Commercial. VDSMS.
20	20	157.000	161.600		Port operations (duplex).
1020	20A	157.000	157.000	x	Port operations.
1021	21A	157.050	157.050	x	US Coast Guard only.
1022	22A	157.100	157.100	x	Coast Guard Liaison and Maritime Safety Information Broadcasts. Broadcasts announced on channel 16.
1023	23A	157.150	157.150	x	US Coast Guard only.
24	24	157.200	161.800		Public correspondence (Marine operator).
25	25	157.250	161.850		Public correspondence (Marine operator).
26	26	157.300	161.900		Public correspondence (Marine operator).
27	27	157.350	161.950		Public correspondence (Marine operator).
28	28	157.400	162.000		Public correspondence (Marine operator).
1063	63A	156.175	156.175	x	Port operations and commercial VTS, Available only in New Orleans / Lower Mississippi area.
1065	65A	156.275	156.275	x	Port operations.
1066	66A	156.325	156.325	x	Port operations.
67	67	156.375	156.375	x	Commercial. Used for bridge-to-bridge communications in lower Mississippi river (Intership only).
68	68	156.425	156.425	x	Non-commercial. VDSMS.
69	69	156.475	156.475	x	Non-commercial. VDSMS.
71	71	156.575	156.575	x	Non-commercial. VDSMS.
72	72	156.625	156.625	x	Non-commercial (Intership only). VDSMS.
73	73	156.675	156.675	x	Port operations.
74	74	156.725	156.725	x	Port operations.
77	77	156.875	156.875	x	Port operations (Intership only).
1078	78A	156.925	156.925	x	Non-commercial. VDSMS.
1079	79A	156.975	156.975	x	Commercial. Non-commercial in Great Lakes only). VDSMS.
1080	80A	157.025	157.025	x	Commercial. Non-commercial in Great Lakes only). VDSMS.
1081	81A	157.075	157.075	x	US Government only — Environmental protection operations.
1082	82A	157.125	157.125	x	US Government only.
1083	83A	157.175	157.175	x	US Coast Guard only.
84	84	157.225	161.825		Public correspondence (Marine operator). VDSMS.
85	85	157.275	161.875		Public correspondence (Marine operator). VDSMS.
86	86	157.325	161.925		Public correspondence (Marine operator). VDSMS.
87	87	157.375	161.975		Public correspondence (Marine operator). VDSMS.
88	88	157.425	157.425		Commercial, Intership only. VDSMS.

Please be aware that:

Recreational boaters normally use channels listed as Non-commercial: 68, 69, 71, 72 1078.
Channel 70 is used exclusively for DSC and is not available for regular voice communications.
Channels 75 and 76 are reserved as guards bands for channel 16 and are not available for regular voice communications.

Note

Four digit channels indicate simplex use of the ship station transmit side of an international semi-duplex channel. Operations are different from that of international operations on that channel.
Channel 13 should be used to contact a ship when there is danger of collision. All ships of length 20 metres or greater are required to guard VHF channel 13, in addition to VHF channel 16, when operating within US territorial waters.
Channel 15 is receive only.
Channel 16 is used for calling other stations or for distress calls.
Channel 17 and channel 77 have a fixed power output of 1 watt.
Channel 13 and channel 67 have an initial power output of 1 watt. User can temporarily override this restrictions to transmit at high power.
VDSMS (VHF Digital Small Message Services). Transmissions of short digital messages in accordance with RTCM Standard 12301.1 is allowed.

VHF channelsWeather (North America)

WX Channels (North America only)

Weather Channel	Frequency in MHz
WX1	162.550
WX2	162.400
WX3	162.475
WX4	162.425
WX5	162.450
WX6	162.500
WX7	162.525
WX8	161.650
WX9	161.775
WX10	163.275

VHF channelsCanada

Canadian Marine VHF Channels and Frequencies

Note

Some of the channel numbers have recently changed. For completeness, both old and new numbers are shown in the table below.

(New) CH No.	(Old) CH No.	TX Freq (MHz)	RX Freq (MHz)	Single Freq	Areas of operation	Use
01	01	156.050	160.650		BCC	Public correspondence.
02	02	156.100	160.700		BCC	Public correspondence.
03	03	156.150	160.750		BCC	Public correspondence.
1004	04A	156.200	156.200	x	BCC, EC	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial and Safety DFO / Canadian Coast Guard only in BCC area. Commercial fishing in EC area.
1005	05A	156.250	156.250	x	AC, BCC, EC, GL, NL, INLD BC, WC	Ship movement.
06	06	156.300	156.300	x	All areas	Intership, Commercial, Non-Commercial and Safety Maybe used for search and rescue communications between ships and aircraft.
1007	07A	156.350	156.350	x	AC, BCC, EC, GL, NL, INLD BC, WC	Intership, Ship/Shore and Commercial.
08	08	156.400	156.400	x	EC, INLD BC, WC	Intership, Commercial and Safety. Also assigned for Intership in the Lake Winnipeg area.
09	09	156.450	156.450	x	AC, INLD PRA, BCC	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-commercial, Safety and Ship movement. Commercial — BCC area. May be used to communicate with aircraft and helicopters in predominantly maritime support operations.
10	10	156.500	156.500	x	AC, BCC, GL	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-commercial, Safety and Ship movement. Commercial — BCC area. May also be used for communications with aircraft engaged in coordinated search and rescue and antipollution operations.
11	11	156.550	156.550	x	AC, BCC, GL	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-commercial and Ship movement. VTS — BCC area. Also used for pilotage purposes.
12	12	156.600	156.600	x	AC, BCC, GL, WC	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-commercial and Ship movement. VTS — BCC area. Port operations and pilot information and messages.
13	13	156.650	156.650	x	AC, BCC, EC, GL, NL, INLD BC, WC	Intership, Commercial, Non-commercial and Ship movement. VTS — BCC area. Bridge-to-bridge navigational traffic.
14	14	156.700	156.700	x	AC, BCC, GL	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-commercial and Ship movement. VTS — BCC area. Port operations and pilot information and messages.
15	15	156.750	156.750	x	AC, BCC, EC, GL, NL, INLD BC, WC	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-commercial and Ship movement. Port operations and Ship movement — BCC area. All operations limited to 1 watt maximum power. May also be used for on-board communications.
16	16	156.800	156.800	x	All areas	International distress, safety and calling.
17	17	156.850	156.850	x	AC, BCC, EC, GL, NL, INLD BC, WC	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-commercial and Ship movement. Port operaitons and Ship movement — BCC area. All operations limited to 1 watt maximum power. May also be used for on-board communications.
1018	18A	156.900	156.900	x	AC, BCC, EC, GL, NL, INLD BC, WC	Intership, Ship/Shore and Commercial. Towing — BCC area.
1019	19A	156.950	156.950	x	All areas	Intership and Ship/Shore. DFO / Canadian Coast Guard. Pacific Pilots — BCC area.
20	20	157.00	161.600		AC, BCC, EC, GL, NL, INLD BC, WC	Ship/Shore, Safety and Ship movement. Port operations only with 1 watt maximum power.
1021	21A	157.050	157.050	x	All areas	Intership and Ship/Shore. DFO / Canadian Coast Guard only.
2021	21B	-	161.650	x	All areas	Safety Continuous Marine Broadcast (CMB) service.
1022	22A	157.100	157.100	x	All areas	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial and Non-commercial. For communications between Canadian Coast Guard and non-Canadian Coast Guard stations only.
23	23	157.150	161.750		BCC, INLD BC	Ship/Shore and Public correspondence.
2023	-	-	161.750	x	GL	Safety Continuous Marine Broadcast (CMB) service.
24	24	157.200	161.800		All areas	Ship/Shore and Public correspondence.
25	25	157.250	161.850		BCC	Ship/Shore and Public correspondence.
2025	25B	-	161.850	x	AC	Safety Continuous Marine Broadcast (CMB) service.
26	26	157.300	161.900		All areas	Safety and Public correspondence.
27	27	157.350	161.950		AC, BCC, GL	Ship/Shore and Public correspondence.
28	28	157.400	162.00		BCC	Ship/Shore, Safety and Public correspondence.
2028	28B	-	162.000	x	AC, GL	Safety Continuous Marine Broadcast (CMB) service.
60	60	156.025	160.625		BCC	Ship/Shore and Public correspondence.
1061	61A	156.075	156.075	x	BCC	Intership, Ship/Shore and Commercial DFO / Canadian Coast Guard only in BCC area. Commercial fishing only in EC area.
1062	62A	156.125	156.125	x	BCC, EC	Intership, Ship/Shore and Commercial DFO / Canadian Coast Guard only in BCC area. Commercial fishing only in EC area.
1063		156.175	156.175	x	BCC	Intership, Ship/Shore and Commercial. Tow boats — BCC area.
64	64	156.225	160.825		BCC	Ship/Shore and Public correspondence.
1064	64A	156.225	156.225	x	EC	Intership, Ship/Shore and Commercial Commercial fishing only.
1065	65A	156.275	156.275	x	All areas	Inership, Ship/Shore, Safety, Commercial and Non-commercial. Search and rescue and antipollution operations on the Great Lakes. Towing on the Pacific coast. Port operations only in the St. Lawrence river area with 1 watt maximum power. Intership in INLD PRA area.
1066	66A	156.325	156.325	x	AC, BCC, EC, GL, NL, INLD BC, WC	Intership, Ship/Shore, Safety, Commercial and Non-commercial. Port operations only in the St. Lawrence river / Great Lakes areas with 1 watt maximum power. 1 watt marine channel in BCC area.
67	67	156.375	156.375	x	All areas	Intership Ship/Shore, Safety, Commercial and Non-commercial. May also be used for communications with aircraft engaged in coordinated search and rescue and antipollution operations. Commercial fishing only in EC and INLD PRA areas. Pleasure craft — BCC area.
68	68	156.425	156.425	x	All areas	Intership, Ship/Shore and Non-commercial. For marinas, yacht clubs and pleasure craft.
69	69	156.475	156.475	x	AC, BCC, EC, GL, NL, INLD BC, WC	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial and Non-commercial. Commercial fishing only — EC area. Pleasure craft — BCC area.
71	71	156.575	156.575	x	AC, BCC, EC, GL, NL, INLD BC, WC	Intership, Ship/Shore, Safety, Commercial,, Non-commercial and Ship movement. Ship movement — BCC area. Marinas and yacht clubs — EC area and on Lake Winnipeg.
72	72	156.625	156.625	x	BCC, EC	Intership, Commercial and Non-commercial May be used to communicate with aircraft and helicopters in predominantly maritime support operations. Pleasure craft — BCC area.
73	73	156.675	156.675	x	All areas	Intership, Ship/Shore, Safety, Commercial and Non-commercial. May also be used for communications with aircraft engaged in coordinated search and rescue and antipollution operations. Commercial fishing only in EC and INLD PRA areas.
74	74	156.725	156.725	x	BCC, EC	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-commercial and Ship movement. VTS and Ship movement — BCC area.
75		156.775	156.775	x	All areas	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial and Ship movement. Simplex port operation, ship movement and navigation related communication only. 1 watt maximum power.
76		156.825	156.825	x	All areas	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial and Ship movement. Simplex port operation, ship movement and navigation related communication only. 1 watt maximum power.
77	77	156.875	156.875	x	AC, BCC, EC, GL, NL, INLD BC, WC	Intership, Ship/Shore, Safety and Ship movement. Pilotage BCC area, 25 watts. Port operations only in the St. Lawrence River/Great Lakes areas with 1 watt maximum power.
1078	78A	156.925	156.925	x	BCC, EC	Intership, Ship/Shore and Commercial. Fishing industry — BCC area.
1079	79A	156.975	156.975	x	BCC, EC	Intership, Ship/Shore and Commercial. Fishing industry — BCC area.
1080	80A	157.025	157.025	x	BCC, EC	Intership, Ship/Shore and Non-commercial. Whale watching — BCC area.
1081	81A	157.075	157.075	x	AC, BCC, EC, GL, NL, INLD BC, WC	Intership, Ship/Shore and Safety. DFO / Canadian Coast Guard use only.
1082	82A	157.125	157.125	x	AC, BCC, EC, GL, NL, INLD BC, WC	Intership and Ship/Shore. DFO / Canadian Coast Guard use only.
1083	83A	157.175	157.175	x	BCC, EC	Intership and Ship/Shore DFO / Canadian Coast Guard and other government agencies.
2083	83B	-	161.775	x	AC, BCC, GL	Safety Continuous Marine Broadcast (CMB) service.
84	84	157.225	161.825		BCC	Ship/Shore and Public correspondence.
85	85	157.275	161.875		AC, BCC, GL ,NL	Ship/Shore and Public correspondence.
86	86	157.325	161.925		BCC	Ship/Shore and Public correspondence.
87	87	157.375	157.375	x	AC, BCC, GL, NL	Intership, Non-commercial and Ship movement. Port operation and ship movement — EC area. Pleasure craft — BCC area.
88	88	157.425	157.425	x	AC, BCC, GL, NL	Intership, Commercial and Ship movement. Port operation and ship movement — BCC area.

Area of operation:

AC — Atlantic Coast, Gulf and St. Lawrence River up to and including Montreal.
BCC — British Columbia Coast (Pacific Coast).
EC — East Coast: includes NL, AC, GL and Eastern Arctic areas.
GL — Great Lakes: includes St. Lawrence above Montreal.
NL — Newfoundland and Labrador.
WC — West Coast: includes BCC, Western Arctic and Athabasca-Mackenzie Watershed areas.
INLD BC — Inland waters of BC and the Yukon
INLD PRA — Inland waters of MB, SK and AB

Note

Four digit channels indicate simplex use of the ship station transmit side of an international semi-duplex channel. Operations are different from that of international operations on that channel.
Channel 16 is used for calling other stations or for distress calls.
Channel 70 is used exclusively for Digital Selective Calling and is not available for regular voice communications.