I agree, VHF has become very much like the CB for the unlicensed users.

I predicted this would happen when they dropped the license requirement in
the early '90s.

While I was living aboard at anchor in SD Bay in '93-'94, I monitored the
VHF because I didn't have a cell phone and in an emergency, my family could
reach me via the marine operator. With the VHF constantly on and scanning 16
and a number of other ship to ship and working channels, I could hear all
forms of abuses. One evening I happened to over hear US Navy "parking lot
security patrols" using, not only Marine VHF, but channel 16 to report their
patrol status.. In this instance, there happened to be a Navy Capt. aboard
his personal boat and he contacted the command watch officer responsible for
allowing this mis-use of Marine VHF.

Now I hear of a local pizza place on the waterfront (in Seabeck, WA) that
monitor and operates on Marine VHF, to take your pizza order and has it
delivered via boat. This is a case where the Cell Phone should be used.


--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions