VHF Channel 16 is strictly reserved as the International Hailing and Distress channel for all mariners around the world. It is to be used only for Emergency (Mayday), Urgency (Pan-Pan), and Safety (Securite) calls, or to hail other vessels before switching to a different working frequency. Many country's Coast Guards will monitor the use of this channel to ensure it is being used solely for these purposes. Unfortunately, parts of the world do not have the same assets to properly monitor this channel. Here is an example of what we often listen to non-stop on the bridge during night hours. This is common everywhere from the Suez Canal on our way to India. I think some mariners are working too long on ships at one time...

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