What action should a ship station take prior to transmitting routine communications?

Prior to transmitting routine communications, a ship station should ensure that there are no ongoing transmissions on the selected frequency. This is crucial because it prevents interference with other communications that may be occurring. Monitoring the channel for activity helps to ascertain whether the frequency is clear, which is essential for maintaining efficient and effective communication practices. By verifying that there are no ongoing broadcasts, the ship station can confidently transmit its message without disrupting any other users on the frequency.

While monitoring for a set duration or changing frequencies might be practices some operators consider, these actions do not specifically confirm whether the channel is currently in use. Reducing output power would not address the potential for interference either; the primary concern is ensuring that no one else is transmitting, so all parties can communicate clearly and without disruption.