Without question, reliable marine communications equates to safety in most boater’s minds. When things begin to go wrong, and believe me, eventually they probably will, the ability to communicate with those that can provide you with assistance is worth much more than the cost of a quality marine radio. As an added bonus, the capability to communicate with other vessels or with shore stations for those simple day to day issues that arise cannot be overvalued.
So wherever you cruise, whether it is a short day trip or a thousand mile offshore passage, the right equipment is out there. Marine VHF Radio’s for short range communications, HF Single Sideband’s for long range communications or Satellite systems that allow for worldwide coverage, the equipment necessary to get the job done is available for any size vessel or budget.
When it comes to marine radios, the two most common questions I hear are:
| Do I have to carry a radio on my boat? I have a cell phone!! | Duhhh... |
-and-
| Do I have to have a license to operate my boat’s radio? |
Ignoring the obvious safety implications, the quick and dirty answer to both questions is “for most U.S. recreational boaters probably not”. However, like all things in life their are exceptions; and for those that want to make absolutely sure of their status, you can follow these links:
Am I required to carry a marine radio on board my boat?
Do I need to have a license to operate my marine radio?