Before Crossing Any Bar
Contact the USCG bar station on VHF Channel 16 for current bar conditions. Monitor Channel 16 continuously while underway. Weather and bar conditions can change rapidly.
Coast Guard & Safety Channels
Essential channels for Coast Guard communication and marine safety. All mariners must monitor VHF 16 when underway.
156.800 MHz
Distress, Safety & Calling
International distress and calling channel. Monitor at all times when underway. Use to make initial contact with Coast Guard.
157.100 MHz
Coast Guard Working
USCG marine information broadcasts and working channel. Switch here after initial contact on Ch 16.
156.650 MHz
Bridge-to-Bridge
Navigation safety, ship-to-ship communication. Required for vessels over 20m.
156.300 MHz
Ship-to-Ship Safety
Inter-ship safety communications.
156.450 MHz
Secondary Calling
Boater calling channel. Use to hail other recreational vessels before switching to a working channel.
162.400-162.550 MHz
NOAA Weather
Continuous weather broadcasts. Listen before crossing for marine forecasts.
Marina & Recreational Channels
Non-commercial working channels commonly used by marinas, yacht clubs, and recreational boaters. These channels are used for marina operations, slip assignments, and coordinating with other vessels.
156.425 MHz
Marina / Recreational
Non-commercial working channel. Commonly used by marinas and recreational boaters.
156.475 MHz
Marina / Recreational
Non-commercial working channel for marina operations and recreational use.
156.575 MHz
Marina / Recreational
Non-commercial working channel. Popular for yacht clubs and marinas.
156.625 MHz
Ship-to-Ship
Non-commercial inter-ship channel. Good for coordinating with other recreational vessels.
156.925 MHz
Marina / Recreational
Non-commercial working channel for marinas.
156.975 MHz
Marina / Recreational
Non-commercial working channel for marinas and boat clubs.
157.025 MHz
Marina / Recreational
Non-commercial working channel for marinas.
Port Operations Channels
Channels used by port authorities and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS). Check local requirements before entering commercial ports.
156.600 MHz
Port Operations
Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) in some ports. Check local requirements.
156.700 MHz
Port Operations
Port operations and vessel traffic management in major ports.
157.000 MHz
Port Operations
Port operations channel used by some harbors.
156.675 MHz
Port Operations
Port operations for smaller harbors and yacht basins.
Regional Harbor & Marina Channels
Specific VHF channels for harbors and marinas in each region. Always hail on VHF 16 first if unsure of the local working channel.
| Location | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia River Bar | VHF 16/22A | Station Cape Disappointment |
| Grays Harbor | VHF 16/22A | Station Westport |
| Westport Marina | VHF 16/66A | Marina operations |
| Willapa Bay | VHF 16/22A | Monitor Ch 16 |
| Location | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tillamook Bay | VHF 16/22A | Station Tillamook Bay |
| Yaquina Bay | VHF 16/22A | Station Yaquina Bay |
| Newport Marina | VHF 16/09 | Port of Newport |
| Coos Bay | VHF 16/22A | Station Coos Bay |
| Charleston Marina | VHF 16 | Port of Coos Bay |
| Umpqua River | VHF 16/22A | Station Umpqua River |
| Winchester Bay Marina | VHF 16 | Salmon Harbor |
| Siuslaw River | VHF 16/22A | Monitor Ch 16 |
| Florence Marina | VHF 16 | Port of Siuslaw |
| Depoe Bay | VHF 16 | Small harbor, monitor Ch 16 |
| Garibaldi Marina | VHF 16 | Port of Garibaldi |
| Location | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Humboldt Bay | VHF 16/22A | Station Humboldt Bay |
| Eureka Marina | VHF 16/09 | Woodley Island Marina |
| Crescent City | VHF 16/22A | Monitor Ch 16 |
| Crescent City Harbor | VHF 16/09 | Harbor District |
Bar Station Quick Reference
All USCG bar stations monitor VHF 16 and 22A. Call on 16 first, then switch to 22A when directed.
| Bar Station | Phone | Radio Channels |
|---|---|---|
| California | ||
| Crescent City Harbor | 707-465-6470 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Humboldt Bay | 707-443-2212 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Morro Bay | 805-772-2167 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Noyo River | 707-964-6611 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Oregon | ||
| Chetco River | 206-815-7126 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Coos Bay | 206-815-7227 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Coquille River | 541-756-9220 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Depoe Bay | 206-815-6881 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Rogue River | 541-247-7219 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Siuslaw River | 206-815-6720 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Tillamook Bay | 206-815-6708 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Umpqua River | 206-815-7188 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Yaquina Bay | 206-815-7130 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Washington | ||
| Cape Disappointment | 206-815-6678 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Grays Harbor | 206-815-6661 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
| Quillayute River | 206-815-6960 | VHF 16 (156.800), VHF 22A (157.100) |
Radio Procedure for Bar Crossing
1 Before Departure
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio (WX channels) for marine forecast. Call the bar station phone number for current conditions. File a float plan with someone ashore.
2 Contacting the Bar Station
Call on VHF 16: "[Station Name] Bar, this is [Vessel Name], request bar report." Wait for response. The station will either respond on 16 or ask you to switch to 22A.
3 During Crossing
Monitor VHF 16 continuously. Announce your crossing if requested by the bar station. Keep radio contact in case conditions change or you need assistance.
4 Emergency
MAYDAY on VHF 16 for life-threatening emergencies. PAN-PAN for urgent situations that are not immediately life-threatening.