Basic Marine Radio Procedure for UK Sailors

Why Your Radio Is More Than a Gadget

On the UK coast, your VHF radio is not a backup to your mobile phone. It is your primary link to the shore, to other vessels, and to the Coastguard. Mobile signals vanish in many bays, behind headlands, and well offshore. A steady radio watch on channel 16, combined with a working DSC controller and your MMSI programmed in, is what turns a worrying situation into a manageable one. You do not need to be a professional skipper to use it well. You simply need to know the right channel, the right words, and the right moment. This is practical seamanship, and like any skill, it improves with a little practice.

The Channels You'll Actually Use

Most UK coastal sailing is covered by a handful of channels. Keep them clear in your mind, or write them on a laminated card near the chart table.

• Channel 16 – distress, safety, and calling. The Coastguard keeps a listening watch here. Use it to make initial contact, then move to a working channel.
• Channel 67 – small craft safety and routine ship-to-ship. Often used by marinas, harbour masters, and sailing clubs for everyday traffic.
• Channel 06 – inter-ship. Ideal for chatting with a buddy boat without cluttering 16.
• Channel 80 – marinas, locks, and bridges. Many UK marinas and harbour authorities use this for berthing requests.
• Channel 12 – port operations. Large commercial ports and some harbour authorities use this for vessel traffic services.
• M1 and M2 – marina channels. Some marinas use these instead of 80, so check your pilot book or call on 16 first.

Keep a dual watch on 16 and your local working channel. That way you hear a Mayday relay or a marina calling you back without missing either.

Mayday: When Life Is at Immediate Risk

Mayday is for grave and imminent danger. You are sinking, on fire, or someone is in the water and the situation is life-threatening. If you have a DSC radio, lift the red cover and press the distress button. Then transmit the voice call on channel 16. Speak slowly and clearly.

“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is [boat name], [boat name], [boat name]. MMSI [your number]. Position [latitude and longitude, or bearing and distance from a known point]. Nature of distress [e.g., taking on water]. Number of persons on board [number]. Any other information [e.g., we are abandoning to liferaft]. Over.”

Release the microphone button, listen, and wait for an acknowledgement. If no one replies after a short pause, repeat the call. If you hear a Mayday from another vessel and the Coastguard does not respond, you may need to relay it. Use the same format but say “Mayday Relay” before the rest. Never hesitate to call Mayday if you believe life is at risk. The Coastguard would far rather answer a false alarm than miss a real one.

Pan-Pan and Securite: Urgency and Safety

Pan-Pan is for urgent situations that are not immediately life-threatening. Your engine has failed and you are drifting towards a rocky shore. You have a medical problem that needs advice but not an immediate rescue. You are dismasted but stable. The procedure mirrors Mayday, but the urgency is lower.

“Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan. This is [boat name], [boat name], [boat name]. MMSI [number]. Position [location]. Nature of urgency [e.g., engine failure, drifting]. Number of persons on board [number]. Assistance required [e.g., tow to nearest harbour]. Over.”

Securite is for safety information. A navigation hazard, a floating container, or a weather warning. “Securite, Securite, Securite. All stations, all stations, all stations. This is [boat name]. [Brief safety message]. Over.” Use it sparingly and only when the information helps others.

Routine Calls: Berths, Bridges, and Friends

Most radio traffic is routine. Calling a marina for a berth, asking a lock keeper for a slot, or checking your radio with a friend. The key is to be brief and use the correct channel. For a marina on channel 80: “X Marina, X Marina. This is [boat name], [boat name]. Request a visitor berth for the night. Over.” The marina will reply with a berth number and directions. For a radio check, call the Coastguard on channel 16, then move to 67: “Solent Coastguard, this is [boat name]. Request radio check on channel 67. Over.” They will confirm signal strength and readability. For a lock or bridge, use channel 80 and say: “X Lock, this is [boat name]. Request a pen down. Over.” Always end with “Over” when you expect a reply, and “Out” when the conversation is finished.

Practice, Etiquette, and a Few Golden Rules

Good radio procedure is mostly good manners and clear thinking. Hold the microphone two to three centimetres from your mouth and speak across it, not into it. Use low power when you are close, high power only when needed. Listen before you transmit. If you hear a distress call, stay silent unless you can help. Keep your battery charged and your aerial connections clean. Practise with a friend on channel 06 or 67 until the phrases feel natural. A laminated card with Mayday, Pan-Pan, and your local channels is worth its weight in gold. And remember: the Coastguard and marina staff are there to help. A calm, clear voice on the radio is often the first step towards a safe return to the waterside. You have got this.