Maritime & Shipping vocabulary · Radio Communication & SMCP
VHF
Meaning in maritime & shipping, with examples
/ˌviː eɪtʃ ˈef/abbreviationCore term
In maritime & shipping, VHF means: Very High Frequency: the short-range marine radio band that ships use to talk to each other, to pilots, ports and VTS, and to send distress, urgency and safety calls.
In Turkish: VHF telsiz, telsiz
How it is used
Seafarers say 'call them on VHF', 'listen on channel 16' and 'switch to channel 12'. Bridge VHF sets have DSC for automatic distress alerts, and handheld VHFs are used during mooring and in survival craft.
Example sentences
Call the pilot station on VHF channel 12 one hour before arrival.
The forward station lost contact on the handheld VHF during mooring.
Common collocations
call on VHF
VHF channel
handheld VHF
VHF DSC
VHF working channel
Related terms
channel 16The international VHF frequency (156.8 MHz) reserved for distress, urgency and safety calls and for first contact between stations. Ships at sea keep listening on it at all times.
SMCPIMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases: a standard set of English phrases and rules for ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore and on-board communication, designed to avoid misunderstandings.
GMDSSGlobal Maritime Distress and Safety System: the international system of radio and satellite equipment and procedures that lets ships send distress alerts and receive safety information anywhere at sea.
maydayThe international radio distress signal, spoken three times, used when a ship, aircraft or person is in grave and imminent danger and needs immediate help.
