Only those vessels that are SOLAS Required. (300 tons and up), and not
Tugboats of any size, no matter how big the barge is.

Not entirely true. What a vessel (including tugs) is required to carry is
also determined by what waters they will be operating in and service they
will be performing. The ocean going tugs I've been on were all GMDSS
equipped. Perhaps there are exceptions to this, I don't know. I drive
ships for a living, I usually don't memorize what the equipment requirements
are for every class of vessel out there. If I need to know about details
like this, I look them up in a book.

At any rate, my answer was in response to a question about equipping a
cruising yacht and I consequently made a number of generalizations soas to
keep my answer fairly brief. I don't see what these details have to do with
the original poster's question.

Getting back on track he

I'd also like to voice my agreement with the other posters that have
recommended having both marine and ham SSB radios on board. If you can
afford to do this, it is a very smart thing to do. A ham radio by no means
replaces a marine SSB, but it's often nice to have.

I think it's worth repeating that neither of these radios replace the need
to carry a 406 EPIRB aboard. I wouldn't leave port without one.

--
Paul

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