Bruce in Alaska wrote:

ANY vessel, over 20 Meters in length, or over 100 Tons and carring one
or more Passengers for Hire, and in US Waters, is REQUIRED to have VHF
Channel 13 monitored, 24/7 by the Person On Watch and responcible for
the Navigation of that Vessel, by the Bridge to Bridge Radiotelephone
Act or SubPart U of Part 90 CFR 47. Failure to Respond, that results in
an Inquiry will cost that person, at a minimum a License Suspention,
and a Revocation if a serious incident occured.

Vessels that are in a VTS Traffic System, may suspend a Listen Watch
on Marine Ch 16, if they are in communication with the VTS Center, but
they MUST still maintain the Marine Ch 13 Watch, WHENEVER the vessel is
underway.

Most vessels monitor Marine Ch 13, while underway, even if they aren't
so required, just so they can keep up with what is happening around them.

Most commercial vessels will have two VHF Radios active while underway.
One on Marine 16, and one on Marine 13, and they will use the radio that
is on Marine 16 for routine communications on other Marine Radio Channels
as required for operational communications, and then return to Marine
Ch 16, when not activly communicating on another working channel.


Bruce in alaska

These are, of course, American rules. In Canada everyone monitors 16 or
the local Vessel Traffic Management channel. But, they do listen and
respond when called, as required by law.

I also agree with the handheld crowd. I try to always have one in my
pocket for both routine comms and in case I fall off!

As far as whistles are concerned, those little tiny compressed air horns
that are so annoying can be heard a long way and also fit in a pocket.

Gary