VHF Marine Radio Procedures

In La Paz

The La Paz Port Captain has assigned VHF  channel 22a to Club Cruceros and the cruising  fleet as the local hailing channel.

After  contacting your party switch to another  channel for conversation. While out in the  islands or away from La Paz continue to switch  to another channel after hailing as the signal  travels.

Avoid conversations on these channels:

• 09 Pemex
• 10 Mexican Navy
• 11 Mexican Navy
• 14 La Paz Port Captain
• 16 International Hailing Channel
• 22a La Paz Cruiser Hailing Channel
• 72 Local Fishermen
• 74 La Paz Ferry Terminal
• 83 Immigration
• 88 Customs
• 24-28 Duplex
• 84-86 Duplex

Duplex channels may be used  if the party being called has  duplex capabilities. 

To Hail Another Vessel

• First find a clear "switch to" channel
• Call the vessel name twice on VHF Channel 22A (22A is for hailing only while in La Paz)
• State your vessel name once
• When the hailed party answers inform them of the predetermined clear "switch to" channel
• The hailed party then repeats the "switch to" channel
• Both parties change to the clear "switch to" channel for their conversation
• Wait two minutes before calling again if you received no response

VHF Notes

• The hailing vessel is responsible to choose and state a predetermined clear switch to channel
• Picking, trying, or offering several channels is poor radio etiquette, disrespectful to your fellow Mariner, and against FCC and SCT Regulations
• Calling a station and requesting that they pick a channel is also poor etiquette
• Moving up or down only one channel in a marina or crowded harbor will almost always cause interference, especially on high power, and sometimes even on low power
• Hold the mic away from your mouth for a clearer transmission

Emergency Call (Mayday)

• Mayday is spoken 3 times
• Your vessel name is then spoken 3 times followed by
• Mayday
• Your vessel position
• Nature of your distress
• The type of assistance you require
• Your vessel description
• Over

Urgency Call (Pan-Pan)

• Pan-Pan is spoken 3 times
• State All Stations
• State your Vessel Name 3 times
• State the urgent problem
• Vessel Position and Description
• Over