Free Marine VHF Check Call Expanding, Seeks Hosts

MarineLink.com December 17, 2013

VHF whip antenna: Image in public domain

Sea Tow Services International, Inc., a leading professional marine assistance provider in the USA, says that the number of stations transmitting its free Automated Radio Check service in coastal and inland boating areas across the U.S. has risen to over 130 locations. Claimed to be the first and only service of its kind, Sea Tow continues to seek new host stations in its mission to expand this vital boating safety service.   

Automated Radio Check, which is provided by Sea Tow in association with MariTEL, lets boaters quickly and easily check that their vessel’s VHF radio is working. They simply tune the radio to the local Automated Radio Check channel, key the mike, and ask for a radio check. They will hear an automated response and their request is played back to them, allowing them to confirm that the radio is operational and to assess transmission strength, a crucial safety check. In this way, Sea Tow Automated Radio Check also aids the U.S. Coast Guard by reducing non-emergency communications on VHF Channel 16. 

The newest Sea Tow Automated Radio Check stations include: Oceanside, CA; New Orleans, LA; Baltimore, MD; Suttons Bay, MI; Traverse City, MI; Leeland, MI; Northport, MI; Rainy River, MN; Red Wing, MN; Stillwater, MN; Bayport, MN; Pamlico Sound, NC; Supply, NC; Southport, NC; Coles Point, VA; Lake Washington, WA; Friday Harbor, WA; Prescott, WI; Milwaukee, WI, and Pepin, WI.   

Sea Tow actively is looking for volunteers to host new Automated Radio Check stations in areas that currently are not covered by the service. Any business can apply; all that’s needed is a place to mount an antenna. Automated Radio Check transmitting stations require only a controller box programmed with proprietary software developed by Sea Tow and MariTEL, a VHF radio, and a 30-foot antenna

“An Automated Radio Check station could be a boat dealership, a boatyard, a bait and tackle shop or even a waterfront hotel or restaurant,” Jim Foley said, ARC Program Manager. “Our ‘wish list’ for additional Automated Radio Check locations includes the Great Lakes region, San Francisco Bay Area and the Pacific Northwest.” For more details, potential Sea Tow Automated Radio Check hosts are invited to e-mail [email protected] or call 631-876-5077. 