BlueSeas

United Kingdom VHF Marine Radio Frequencies

U. K. VHF Frequencies and Usage

In the United Kingdom there are approximately 57 VHF channels available plus the private channels M and M2 for use by marinas and yacht clubs and the private channel 00 which is for HMCG use only. 2 additional channels are dedicated to the Automatic Identification System services. The U. K. uses the "International Frequency" plan.

Like virtually all other countries throughout the world, the United Kingdom has dedicated many of these channels to specific uses.

SAR Operations

Channel 6
Under International Treaty, this channel is used for communications between ships and aircraft for coordinating search and rescue operations.

Channel 10
In addition to SAR operations, this channel is used during pollution incidents. It is also used for the broadcast of Marine Safety Information in the UK.

Channel 67
SAR operations and for safety communications with HM Coastguard.

Channel 73
SAR operations and the broadcast of Marine Safety Information in the UK.

Communications Between Ship Stations (Intership)

Inter-ship channels are for communications between ship stations. Inter-ship communications should be limited to Channels 6, 8, 72 and 77. Masters are urged to ensure that all ship-to-ship communications in the waters of the United Kingdom are confined to these channels

Port Operations and Ship Movement

The U. K. has set aside, by international treaty, specific channels which are assigned to a user. It is important not to use these channels for other purposes if they have been assigned locally or if they have not been set aside for inter-ship working.

Public Correspondence

These channels, set aside by international agreement, are for making calls to the public telephone network. Calls made on these channels are often referred to as "link calls."

Marina Channels

Channels set aside by the United Kingdom administration, for matters relating to mooring, berthing and race control. There are three marina channels:

  1. Channel "M" (157.850 MHz
  2. Channel "M2" (161.425 MHz)
  3. Channel "80" (157.025/161.625)

Channels M and M2 are UK channels and should only be used in UK territorial waters. Their on-board use is covered by a Ship Radio License. However, equipment that is only capable of operating on these frequencies is usually licensed under a Coastal Station Radio License and it is not necessary for the operator to hold an operator's certificate.

Weather and Marine Safety Information (MSI)

Weather and navigation safety information is broadcast on channels 23, 84, and 86. Broadcasts are made every 3 hours beginning at 0710 Local, with an announcement made on channel 16 prior to the broadcast. Strong Wind Warnings are issued on receipt from the Meteorological Office if the wind in an inshore forecast area is expected to exceed force 6 and it was not forecast in the previous Inshore Forecast. MSI is also broadcast on channels 10 and 73.

While in the waters of the United Kingdom, the use of any marine VHF radio must be under the control of an operator holding an appropriate license issued by the country in which the vessel is registered.

List of U. K. VHF Frequencies and Usage

United Kingdom VHF Frequencies and Usage
Channel Number Ship Transmit MHz Ship Receive MHz Simplex Duplex Use Notes
00 156.000 156.000 X   HM Coast Guard Use Only. Private
01 156.050 160.650   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
02 156.100 160.700   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
03 156.150 160.750   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
04 156.200 160.800   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
05 156.250 160.850   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
06 156.300 156.300 X   Intership SAR Communications - Ships and Aircraft.
2006 160.900 160.900 X   Restricted Experimental Use Only.
07 156.350 160.950   X Public Correspondence  
08 156.400 156.400 X   Intership Ship to Ship Primary Working Channel.
09 156.450 156.450 X   Intership, Port Operations Ship to Ship Secondary Working Channel. Is often used by ship pilots.
10 156.500 156.500 X   Intership, Port Operations SAR, Pollution Incidents, MSI Broadcasts. Coordinated with HMCG.
11 156.550 156.550 X   Port Operations  
12 156.600 156.600 X   Port Operations  
13 156.650 156.650 X International Navigation Safety Channel Intership, Port Operations May also be used for ship movement, port operations, and. limited coast stations.
14 156.700 156.700 X   Port Operations  
15 156.750 156.750 X   Intership, Port Operations Ship to Ship secondary working channel. May also be used for on-board communications. 1 Watt Output.
16 156.800 156.800 X International Distress, Safety and Calling Channel.
17 156.850 156.850 X   Intership, Port Operations Ship to Ship secondary working channel. May also be used for on-board communications. 1 Watt Output.
18 156.900 161.500   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
19 156.950 161.550   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
1019 156.950 156.950 X   Port Operations and Ship Movements  
2019 161.550 161.550 X   Port Operations and Ship Movements Limited to Coast Stations only except with prior UK approval.
20 157.000 161.600   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
1020 157.000 157.000 X   Port Operations and Ship Movements  
2020 161.600 161.600 X   Port Operations and Ship Movements Limited to Coast Stations only except with prior UK approval.
21 157.050 161.650   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence Available for VDSMS.
22 157.100 161.700   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence Available for VDSMS.
23 157.150 161.750   X Safety HMCG / SAR / Marine Safety Broadcasts
24 157.200 161.800   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence Available for VDSMS.
25 157.250 161.850   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence Available for VDSMS.
26 157.300 161.900   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence Available for VDSMS.
27 157.350 161.950   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence Available for testing of new AIS applications.
28 157.400 162.000   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence Available for testing of new AIS applications.
37 (M1) 157.850 157.850 X   U. K. Marinas and Yacht Clubs Private
60 156.025 160.625   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
61 156.075 160.675   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
62 156.125 160.725   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
63 156.175 160.775   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
64 156.225 160.825   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
65 156.275 160.875   X National Coastwatch System  
66 156.325 160.925   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
67 156.375 156.375 X   Intership, Port Operations HMCG / SAR
68 156.425 156.425 X   Port Operations  
69 156.475 156.475 X   Intership, Port Operations  
70 156.525 156.525 X International "DSC" Distress, Safety, and Calling Channel - No Voice Communications Authorized.
71 156.575 156.575 X   Port Operations  
72 156.625 156.625 X   Intership Ship to Ship Primary Working Channel.
73 156.675 156.675 X   Intership, Port Operations HMCG / SAR
74 156.725 156.725 X   Port Operations  
75 156.775 156.775 X   Intership Navigation related communications only.
76 156.825 156.825 X   Intership Navigation related communications only.
77 156.875 156.875 X   Intership Ship to Ship Primary Working Channel.
78 156.925 161.525   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
1078 156.925 156.925 X   Port Operations and Ship Movements  
2078 161.525 161.525 X   Port Operations and Ship Movements Limited to Coast Stations only except with prior UK approval.
79 156.975 161.575   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence  
1079 156.975 156.975 X   Port Operations and Ship Movements  
2079 161.575 161.575 X   Port Operations and Ship Movements Limited to Coast Stations only except with prior UK approval.
80 157.025 161.625   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence U. K. Marinas. Available for VDSMS.
81 157.075 161.675   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence Available for VDSMS.
82 157.125 161.725   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence Available for VDSMS.
83 157.175 161.775   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence Available for VDSMS.
84 157.225 161.825   X Port Operations HMCG / SAR / Marine Safety Broadcasts
85 157.275 161.875   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence Available for VDSMS.
86 157.325 161.925   X Port Operations, Public Correspondence HMCG / SAR / Marine Safety Broadcasts
87 157.375 157.375 X   Port Operations Available for testing of new AIS applications.
88 157.425 157.425 X   Port Operations Available for testing of new AIS applications.
M2 161.425 161.425 X   U. K. Yacht Clubs Private
 
AIS1 161.975 161.975 X   Automatic Identification System
AIS2 162.025 162.025 X   Automatic Identification System

The complete list can be downloaded in zipped PDF format United Kingdom VHF Frequency Chart.

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