Marine VHF Channels in the UK: Full Channel List and What Each One Is For
Marine VHF is the safety net of UK waters. It is how vessels call the Coastguard, talk to each other, contact harbours and book a berth for the night. Each channel has a defined job, and using the right one keeps the safety channels clear for the calls that matter. Here is a practical guide to the UK marine VHF channels, their frequencies and what they are used for.
Channel 16: Distress, Safety and Calling
Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) is the international distress, safety and calling channel. Every vessel with a VHF should keep a listening watch on it while at sea. Use it to make a distress (Mayday) or urgency (Pan-Pan) call, or to make initial contact with another station before moving to a working channel. Keep calls on 16 short.
Channel 70: Digital Selective Calling
Channel 70 (156.525 MHz) is reserved for Digital Selective Calling (DSC). It carries data only, never voice. A DSC distress alert sent at the press of a button transmits your MMSI and, if your radio is connected to GPS, your position.
Key UK Channels at a Glance
- Ch 16, 156.800 MHz: distress, safety and calling
- Ch 70, 156.525 MHz: DSC only, no voice
- Ch 67, 156.375 MHz: UK small craft safety channel, used by HM Coastguard to work with leisure vessels
- Ch 6, 156.300 MHz: intership, including search and rescue co-ordination
- Ch 8, 156.400 MHz: intership
- Ch 72, 156.625 MHz: intership
- Ch 77, 156.875 MHz: intership
- Ch 13, 156.650 MHz: navigation safety, bridge-to-bridge
- Ch 12, 156.600 MHz and Ch 14, 156.700 MHz: port operations, used by many UK harbours
- Ch 80, ship 157.025 MHz: UK marinas
- Ch M (37A), 157.850 MHz: UK marinas, yacht clubs and race committees
- Ch M2, 161.425 MHz: UK yacht clubs and race management
Harbour and port channels vary by location, so check your almanac or the harbour's own information before you arrive. For leisure craft, Channels 6, 8, 72 and 77 are the usual choices for boat-to-boat conversations.
Simplex and Duplex Channels
Most intership channels are simplex: both stations transmit and receive on the same frequency, so only one person can talk at a time. Some channels used by coast stations and marinas are duplex, with the ship transmitting on one frequency and the shore station on another. Your radio handles this automatically when you select the channel.
AIS Frequencies
The Automatic Identification System (AIS) uses two dedicated VHF frequencies: AIS 1 at 161.975 MHz and AIS 2 at 162.025 MHz. AIS can share a VHF antenna through a splitter, or use its own dedicated antenna such as the AIS54, a 4 dB AIS glass fibre antenna.
Range Depends on the Antenna
VHF is line of sight. A fixed set at full 25 W power will not reach further than its antenna can see. That makes antenna height, type and cable the biggest factors in how far you can be heard on Channel 16.
- Mount high. A masthead antenna on a sailing yacht can reach many times further than one at deck level.
- Choose the right gain. 3 dB antennas suit sailing yachts that heel; 6 dB antennas suit stable motorboats.
- Use good cable. Long, thin coax runs to the masthead lose a significant share of your signal.
The VHF73, a 3 dB VHF fibreglass antenna at 1.26 m, is a reliable choice for most leisure vessels. For rail or arch mounting, pair it with a stainless steel mast/rail mount.
Need help choosing a marine VHF or AIS antenna? Our team can advise on the right setup for your vessel: renair.co.uk/contact-us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What frequency is marine VHF Channel 16?
Channel 16 is 156.800 MHz. It is the international distress, safety and calling channel.
Can I talk on Channel 70?
No. Channel 70 is reserved for Digital Selective Calling data. Voice transmissions are not permitted on it.
Which channel does the UK Coastguard use for leisure craft?
HM Coastguard monitors Channel 16 and uses Channel 67 as the UK small craft safety channel for working with leisure vessels.
Which channels should I use to talk to other boats?
Channels 6, 8, 72 and 77 are the common intership channels for leisure craft in UK waters.
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