Photo Credit: National Safe Boating Council

Different types of communications equipment work in different areas, so a boater should make sure the equipment they have will work where they are boating. A boater should carry at least two communication devices that will work when wet.

Technology Communication Devices

• VHF FM-DSC marine band radios lets a boater talk to other boaters, as well as to authorities on land. Digital Selective Calling is a method of alerting boaters in distress of their location.
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) transmit the boater’s location, enabling the boater to get help quickly if needed.
• Cellphone are only helpful if kept dry and when in range of a cell phone tower.

*Non-Technology Communication Devices

• Dye market (any color)
• Flares to wave, flash or signal SOS
• Flames on a vessel
• Flags with distress signals (black ball and square)
• Gun fired at intervals of 1 minute
• Sound producing device, such as a fog horn to make noise
• A boater may raise and lower their arms as an international recognized signal of distress

*Also see U.S. Department of Homeland Security/United States Coast Guard Navigation Rules, Rule 37, Distress Signals.

More Information

Communication Device Comparison

EPIRB vs. PLB

VHF Marine Radio Channels for Recreational Boaters

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