VHF Radio Basics: What Every BC Boater Should Learn First

A VHF marine radio is a two-way communication system used on Canadian coastal waters to contact nearby vessels and the Coast Guard, even when cell service fails. It remains the most reliable way for BC boaters to send or receive help in emergencies.

British Columbia’s coastline has a way of reminding you how small you are. The narrow fjords, the low morning fog rolling through the Gulf Islands, the long quiet runs along remote inlets where the cellphone bars drop to zero – they all push boaters back toward the tools that have kept people safe here for decades. One of those tools is the VHF marine radio. And while the gear on modern boats keeps evolving, this one still sits at the centre of safe travel on the West Coast.

We’ve crossed these waters enough times to know that staying connected with other skippers and the Coast Guard still matters, even if the channels sound a little more digital than they did years ago.

What Is a VHF Marine Radio and Why It’s Better Than a Phone

A VHF marine radio is a two-way radio designed for maritime communication. It operates on the marine band and broadcasts over water with far more reliability than a cellphone ever could.

On most of the BC coast, you lose cell service the moment a ridge rises between you and the nearest tower. A VHF signal travels differently – it heads outward across open water and reaches anyone listening within range. So, when someone asks why is VHF radio best to call for help, the clearest answer is this: the call doesn’t just reach one person. It reaches every vessel nearby, plus the Canadian Coast Guard, who monitor the distress channel 24/7.

A modern VHF marine radio also supports Digital Selective Calling (DSC). If the radio is connected to GPS and you’ve programmed your MMSI, the red distress button can send your position automatically. No fumbling for coordinates during a panic moment.

A phone might work on a quiet summer day near Nanaimo. But out in Hakai Pass, Sechelt Inlet, or the Central Coast? A VHF radio is your lifeline.

The Licensing Side: ROC-M and When You Need More

Here’s where many new boaters get surprised. In Canada, you need the Restricted Operator Certificate – Maritime (ROC-M) to use a VHF radio. The course covers things like radio procedures, the phonetic alphabet, DSC basics, and how the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System fits into Canadian waters.

The Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons continue to handle training and examinations. Their materials make it clear: using a VHF without the certificate is a violation of federal regulations. It’s not hard to get the certification, but it matters.

A second licence – the Maritime Mobile Radio Station Licence – comes into play if you sail into the United States or other foreign waters. That licence assigns an official callsign to your vessel.

A quick note for anyone studying up: your PCOC (boating licence) has nothing to do with your ability to use a radio. ROC-M and PCOC are separate.

A lot of new skippers mix up the ROC-M with the regular boat licence in BC – the Pleasure Craft Operator Card. The PCOC is your boat licence in British Columbia, but it doesn’t give you permission to touch a VHF radio.

Key VHF Channels for BC Boaters

If there’s one section that gets people’s attention, it’s this one. The BC coast has a few quirks when it comes to channels, shaped by geography and traffic patterns.

Key channels to know

Channel 16 – This is the distress, safety, and calling channel. You must monitor or scan it while underway. When someone asks which VHF radio channel for distress call, it’s always Channel 16.
Channel 70 – DSC only. No voice allowed.
06 – A common working channel between vessels.
66A – Often used by marinas.
68, 72, 73 – General working channels for recreational boaters.
22A and 83A – When the Coast Guard asks you to switch, it’s usually to one of these.
11, 12, 71, 74 – Vessel traffic channels. Ferries, tugs, and commercial operators rely on these heavily.

Channels you shouldn’t touch

Some channels around 65A, 04A, 61A, 62A, 81A, 82A and others are restricted to authorized stations, Coast Guard operations, or pollution response. Using one accidentally won’t end well if traffic services are in the middle of coordinating something serious.

This is where having a printed channel cheat sheet on your helm makes life easier.

Getting Your Radio Ready Before You Leave the Dock

BC’s long passages mean your VHF setup should be ready every time you push off. Fixed-mount radios give you more power and range, while portable VHF radio units come in handy for dinghy runs or as a backup.

To make your system useful during a real emergency, link the radio to your GPS or chartplotter so the DSC distress button sends your position accurately. Many handheld VHF radio models in Canada now include built-in GPS, which helps if you’re off the boat or working on deck.

Settings matter too:

Set squelch so background static disappears but weak signals still come through
Choose low power (1W) for close-range calls, high power (25W) for longer distances
Double-check your channel mode – Canadian vs US vs International

Transport Canada’s 2025 Ship Safety Bulletin warned that some newer radios automatically hide channels required in Canada unless you choose Canadian mode. That catches people off guard every season.

Everyday Use: How to Make a Normal Call

Daily VHF use is simple once you see it done a few times. The usual flow is:

Hail the other vessel on Channel 16
State your vessel name and the name of who you’re calling
Agree on a working channel
Switch and continue there

A few “radio manners” help everyone: keep messages short, listen before transmitting, and never treat Channel 16 as a place for casual chatting. And because someone always asks – no, you can’t talk on Channel 70.

When Things Go Wrong: Mayday, Pan-Pan, and DSC

This is where a VHF radio becomes more than just a communication tool. It becomes the fastest way to get help.

When to call Mayday

Use Mayday when someone is in immediate danger: fire, sinking, serious medical emergency.

A basic script looks like this:

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is [boat name repeated three times]. Our position is [lat/long or description]. We are [describe emergency]. We have [number of people] on board. We require assistance.

When to call Pan-Pan

Pan-Pan covers urgent situations that aren’t life-threatening yet. Engine failure in rough weather. A minor injury that needs medical advice. Things that could escalate.

Using the DSC button

If your MMSI is programmed and your radio connected to GPS, the red DSC button sends a digital alert with your identity and position. As Transport Canada notes, this feature significantly speeds up response times. And yes, printing a tiny card with the Mayday script and taping it near the helm still helps in 2025. Memory fades when stress rises.

Common Mistakes BC Boaters Should Avoid

After years of watching radio traffic along the coast, a few issues come up repeatedly.

The MMSI isn’t programmed
No GPS connection, so the DSC position stays blank
Talking quickly when nervous
Using Channel 16 for chatter
Not having the ROC-M
Assuming a phone will work everywhere
Leaving the radio in International mode during the VDES transition
Forgetting to check volume or squelch before departure

Small steps prevent big headaches.

A Simple Buying Guide for BC Waters

Picking a VHF radio doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The fixed-mount version offers stronger range and DSC, so most cruising boats rely on it as the primary system. A handheld VHF radio becomes your go-anywhere backup – helpful for kayaks, dinghies, or if you ever need to leave the boat unexpectedly.

Look for these features:

DSC capability
Built-in GPS or NMEA input
Access to Weatheradio (WX channels)
Waterproofing, buoyant design for handhelds

Extra perks like AIS receivers, NMEA 2000 networks, or remote microphones give you more flexibility, but they’re optional for most small boats.

VDES and Channel Changes by 2030

Transport Canada’s 2025 bulletin highlights an important shift. The global move toward the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) means some channels – 24, 25, 26, 84, 85, 86 – will be set aside for digital-only use starting January 1, 2030.

A few manufacturers have already removed these from International mode, which is why some vessels get surprised when entering Canadian waters. Until the transition is complete, those channels still matter for voice communication here. So yes, check your mode settings from time to time.

The Coast Guard has flagged this as a growing issue, urging boaters to review user manuals and confirm their radios still access required channels.

VHF Checklist for BC Trips

A short, practical list you can keep near the helm.

Legal & Certification

Do you have your ROC-M radio operator certificate?
Do you understand when a VHF licence is required in Canada?
Do you know why VHF radio is considered the best for help on BC waters?

Radio Setup

Is your radio in Canadian mode?
Is your MMSI programmed?
Is your GPS linked for DSC distress calls?
Is your radio on Channel 16 or scanning it?

Gear & Range

Do you know the range of your radio (handheld vs 25W vs 50W)?
If buying, do you know what features matter for BC cruising?

Before You Depart

Do you have a working-channel list handy?
Squelch set and power level checked?
Distress script posted near the radio?
Backup handheld VHF charged and ready?

If we’ve learned anything from years on the BC coast, it’s that a VHF radio is one of the few things that still connects everyone out there – sailors, kayakers, tugs, fishermen, ferry captains, and the Coast Guard crews who watch Channel 16 day and night. The gear keeps changing, but the purpose hasn’t. And as long as these waters stay vast and wild, VHF will stay at the heart of how we look out for each other.

The site formerly hosted the BC Boaters Net, a volunteer amateur radio service for West Coast mariners. We are not associated with Boaters Net or any West Coast radio organization. The content you’ll find here is created by our own review team, using practical experience, field observations, and current Canadian data to help BC boaters make informed decisions.