Garmin VHF 725 - Manual (Page 17)

11
GETTING
STARTED
Maritime
Radio Services
Operation
The four groups you will have occasion to use are the U.S.A.
Regular Band of 52 channels, the Canadian Band of 56 channels, the
International Band of 55 channels, and the Weather Band of 10
channels. Some of these are receive (listen) only, such as the weather
channels.
The emergency channel 16 is restricted to hailing of other vessels,
distress calls and safety purposes only. Known as the Hail and Distress
Channel, it is used to contact nearby vessels and in emergencies
where there is threat to life or property.
The calling or hailing channel 9 is used for establishing contact
with another vessel as an alternate to channel 16. As channel 16 is
often used so frequently that hailing vessels is not practical in some
high traffic areas. Contact is made using channel 9 and then switched
to another regular channel for exchange of information.
Maritime radio users are required to monitor channel 16, it is also
advisable to monitor channel 9 and a weather channel as well. To
facilitate these requirements, the VHF 725 is equipped with Tri-Watch
and Weather Alert features that allow you to engage in regular
channel communications and monitor both the emergency channel
and the alternate calling channel while also being alerted of severe
weather conditions.
Appendix C on pages 28 and 29 of this manual provides a listing
of channels and the use of each, including those which are for
receiving broadcast messages only.