Why You Need a Working Marine Radio Onboard

All kinds of emergencies happen regularly onAmerica’s waterways. With millions of recreational and commercial boaters in varying degrees of health, boating skill and equipment shape on our waters, this is to be expected.

When emergencies do happen, having a functioning marine radio onboard can make the crucial difference.

Today’s marine radios are compact, reliable, relatively inexpensive, and with the new Digital Selective Calling marine radios, built to get emergency help to the distressed boater with pinpoint location accuracy. In an emergency the DSC radio will send an automated digital distress alert consisting of your identification and position (if the radio is connected to a GPS or Loran unit) to other DSC equipped vessels and rescue facilities.

Rescue 21 is the Coast Guard system that will provide the mayday response capability described above. For more details on the Rescue 21 System and its availability in your area visit http://www.uscg.mil/rescue21.

In any case, make sure your boat has a working marine radio, and that you test it regularly to make sure it works well. That way, when you need to call for help, maybe as a Good Samaritan yourself, you will be able to make connect with those who can help.