Many recreational boaters hardly use their VHF radio, while good communication on the water is important for safety. The safety campaign Sailing Together! is therefore launching a new VHF Radio Chart: a practical and waterproof foldable chart that helps skippers use the VHF radio safely and correctly.
The first copy of the VHF Radio Chart was presented to Iris Reuselaars, director of Shipping Traffic and Water Management at Rijkswaterstaat. Good communication is essential for safety on and around the water, she says. That’s why we are pleased with this VHF radio chart. It is a practical tool that makes it easier for skippers to use the VHF radio properly.
Safely on the Water
Good VHF radio usage, especially on busy waterways, contributes to safety on the water. Therefore, skippers with a VHF radio on board are required to turn it on and listen. In practice, this does not always happen: on many recreational vessels, the VHF radio remains off or is hardly used.
When basic knowledge wanes, there often arises a barrier to actively using the VHF radio, says Leon Hoogsteen, campaign leader of Sailing Together! . This chart summarizes the basic information compactly and provides tips for good VHF radio usage. This makes using the VHF radio more accessible.
Availability of the VHF Radio Chart
The VHF Radio Chart will be available from June 6, 2025, and will be distributed by the stewards of Rijkswaterstaat at locks in the Netherlands. Additionally, the chart will be available through the CBR, various water sports associations, and nautical educators. The chart was also developed in collaboration with the educator NNVO.