National Safe Boating Week -- Day 1: Marine-Band Radio, Signaling Devices and Float Plans

CLEVELAND - In recognition of the first day of National Safe Boating Week, the Ninth Coast Guard District would like to remind the boating public of the importance of having a marine-band radio and signaling devices on board, as well as the filing of a float plan prior to getting underway.

The Coast Guard, state and local marine response units monitor VHF channel 16, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

A marine band radio is the best way to contact the Coast Guard or marine response agencies if you are in distress on the water. When a Mayday is sent out via VHF-FM radio it is a broadcast, not just a one-to-one party distress call; any nearby boaters can hear the distress call and offer immediate assistance.  Channel 16 is the Coast Guard distress channel and should be used for emergencies only. 

● Marine band radio is preferred over cell phones, because cell phone signals do not provide an accurate location of a distressed caller.  For example, dialing 911 on a cell phone in Lake Huron on the U.S.side can reach a Canadian cell tower and vice versa.

● Marine band radios can be fixed or hand-held.  They are inexpensive, but are worth their weight in gold when used to contact the Coast Guard or marine response agencies.

Signaling Devices are another means of alerting the Coast Guard, local marine patrol or nearby boaters that you are in distress.

● Day and night visible flares, a signal mirror, and/or a whistle, air horn or sound producing device should be used to alert others that you are in distress.

A float plan should be completed and left with someone who is not going with the recreational boaters.  A float plan is a lifesaving device on paper and provides emergency responders with valuable information of they need to search for a distressed boater.

To learn about regulations and additional marine band radio information, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/SAFETY/fedreqs/equ_radio.htm.

Information on signaling devices can be found at http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fedreqs/equ_vds.htm

Information on a float plan, and how to obtain a blank float plan, can be found at http://www.floatplancentral.org/

CLICK HERE to hear Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Tim Lieb, of Coast Guard Station Cleveland Harbor, talk about the importance of distress signals. 

CLICK HERE to hear BM2 Lieb talk about the value of filing a float plan.

CLICK HERE to hear BM2 Lieb talk about the value of using VHF Channel 16.

For media inquiries, additional information or to arrange an interview with a Coast Guard member concerning distress signals, float plans or VHF Channel 16, contact your local Coast Guard unit or the Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office at (216) 902-6020.

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