VHF radio — Nantucket channels
static referenceHow to use the radio hereWatchkeeping, setup, checks, MAYDAY and arrival
9Recreational hailingHail other pleasure craft here (USCG District 1 practice), then switch to a working channel. Voice radio checks belong here too — the USCG does not answer them.
11Nantucket Boat BasinDockmaster and the fuel dock — call passing Brant Point for a slip assignment.
13Bridge-to-bridgeFerry and commercial traffic coordinate passing here (1 W, short range). Monitor it in the dredged entrance channel — the car ferries and fast cats cannot maneuver around you.
14HarbormasterTown Pier slips, water fill-up, and the free pump-out boat Head Hunter.
16Distress & hailing guardMonitored 24 h by USCG Station Brant Point and the Harbormaster. Distress and initial contact only — move traffic off immediately.
22AUSCG broadcastsMarine Safety Information and weather warnings, announced first on 16. Radio must be in USA mode — in INT mode channel 22 listens on the wrong frequency and stays silent.
66ANantucket Yacht ClubDockage and club launch.
68Nantucket Moorings & LaunchRental-mooring assignment (hail approaching Brant Point Light, Jul–Aug 8 AM–4 PM) and the launch/water-taxi.
69Great Harbor Yacht ClubDockmaster and launch.
70DSC — no voiceDigital distress button traffic only. Test your set silently: DSC test call to USCG group MMSI 003669999 returns an automatic acknowledgment.
78AMadaket MarineHither Creek dockage, fuel, and repairs — the only yard on the west end. Thin, shifting entrance; watch the sounder.
WX1NOAA weather radioKEC73 (Hyannis) on 162.550 MHz — continuous forecasts for Nantucket and the Sound.
Working a call: hail on 9 (16 only in distress), agree a working channel, switch. In fog, the entrance channel belongs to 13 and your ears.
Hand-compiled, verified 2026-07-13 · channels and hours change — confirm on arrival · not a substitute for a proper watch