Which statement is NOT true regarding the requirements of survival craft portable two way VHF radiotelephone equipment?

• A. Operation on Channel 13
• B. It is portable and battery-powered
• C. It is certified for maritime use
• D. It must be capable of distress channel operation

Answer: (A)

Survival craft portable two-way VHF radios are meant to be used in emergencies, so they must be truly portable and self-contained with their own power source, be certified for maritime use, and be able to operate on the distress channel to call for help. The important distress channel is Channel 16, which all mariners monitor for emergencies and urgent calls. Channel 13, while used for bridge-to-bridge communications to coordinate navigation, is not the channel designated for distress, so requiring operation specifically on Channel 13 isn’t a proper safety requirement for this equipment. The combination of portability, independent power, maritime certification, and access to the distress channel ensures the radio can function effectively in a lifeboat or liferaft in an emergency.