Communication and radio

VHF allows you to link boat to boat, boat to coastal stations (CROSS, semaphores, harbormasters' offices), receive weather reports, and send safety and distress messages even without a network, with the garmin inreach mini for example... Depending on the portable or fixed model, transmission power and antenna height limit range. Since 01/07/2017,the new division 240 requires the presence of a fixed VHF on board for any navigation beyond 6mn from a shelter, and now requires a fixed VHF + a portable VHF for navigation beyond 60mn.To find out more, consult our technical guide to VHF boats

With an AIS transceiver, you'll be visible on the water, and you'll be able to see nearby boats also equipped with an AIS transponder. The AIS transponder can be in BlackBox form, like the raymarine AIS 650, or integrated into the radio for greater convenience, like the VHF RT1050 AIS.