NATIONAL COASTWATCH
CALL US ON VHF CHANNEL 65


Channel 65 is the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) dedicated VHF channel. Here's how to use it effectively:


Call the NCI station by name on CH 65 - the correct call sign for an NCI station is its name followed by NCI (e.g. Padstow NCI)

Generic calls to 'NCI' or 'National Coastwatch' may get responses from several stations. This is a duplex channel so you will not be able to hear other vessels calling on it. NCI stations cannot be contacted by DSC.


Calls to 'NCI' or National Coastwatch on channel 16 should be picked up by the Coastguard. NCI watchkeepers are not normally allowed to transmit on channel 16


In exceptional circumstances (e.g. where the caller has been unable to contact the Coastguard) the watchkeeper will tell you to 'standby', contact the Coastguard by phone and follow their instructions.


In an emergency, if a vessel contacts NCI with a problem, the watchkeeper will continue to communicate with it on channel 65,and immediately tell the Coastguard using the 999 service and follow their instructions.


NB the correct procedure is to issue a DSC Distress or Urgency alert followed by a MAYDAY or PAN PAN message on Channel 16