Is it Illegal to not have your VHF radio turned on?

[bowman316]

They say you have to monitor channel 16 if you have a marine radio on board. But you don't have to have a radio on board.
So IF you DO have a radio on board, are you supposed to have it turned on when ever you are out on the boat?
I hardly ever turn mine on at all, just to save the battery.

I guess techinally that is ilegal. But then if i didn't have a radio at all, I would still be legal.

I think most people hardly ever turn on their radios.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Is it Illegal to not have your VHF radio turned on?

Many lives have been saved because if the VHF and the standby system. If you have a bad leak or a fire you have a few seconds to ask for help. In the receive mode it draws very little current. You may save some one some day.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Is it Illegal to not have your VHF radio turned on?

No you do not have to turn it on.
However if is on and not in use you are required to monitor channel 16.
No licence required anymore but still required to follow the rules.
A VHF Marine Radio uses very little power except then transmitting.
In some areas I feel it is a major saftey device.
However if no one turn on their radio except when they need to use it then there would be no reason to use it as no one is listening.
The saftey comes form everyone montoring Channel 16.