MARINE WEATHER: Channels WX1, WX2 and WX3 - The National Weather Service provides regular marine weather forecasts on these channels. Channel assignments vary by geographic region.

NONCOMMERCIAL: Channels 09, 68, 69, 71, 72, 78 - These are the radio channels that should be used by recreational boats. Channels 09, 68, 69, 71, and 78 can be used for intership and ship to shore communications. Channel 72 is reserved for ship to ship contacts.

COMMERCIAL: Intership and Ship to Shore Channels 01, 07, 09, 10, 11, 18, 19, 63, 79 and 80. Intership only Channels are 08, 67 and 88 - Commercial channels are intended for use by boats engaged in commercial activities like cruise ships and oil tankers. If you have a chance to monitor these channels at a busy seaport, it can be entertaining.

PORT OPERATIONS: Channels 01, 05, 12, 14, 63, 65, 66, 73, 74, 77 - Port operations include ship movements, lightering and communications with ship pilots and tug boats. Pilots and assist tugs prefer to use channel 12 or 77.

NOT FOR PUBLIC USE: Channels 15, 17, 21, 23, 81, 82, 83 - Use of these channels is restricted to governmental agencies. The Coast Guard for instance uses channel 21 for its ship to shore communications.

DIGITAL SELECTIVE CALLING: (DSC) Channel 70 - DSC equipped radios allow registered vessels to contacted directly, much like having a personal telephone number. DSC calls are non-voice communications.

MARINE OPERATOR: Channels 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 - Public correspondence or marine operator channels offer boaters a connection to the telephone system. Rates are high and use has largely been supplanted by cellular phones.