Which is true concerning a required watch on VHF Ch-16?

Monitoring VHF Channel 16 is critical for maritime safety, and each statement captures important aspects of the regulations.

Having a continuous watch on VHF Channel 16 is essential while at sea since it is the international distress, safety, and calling frequency. This requirement underscores the importance of maintaining communication to ensure the safety of vessels and their crew. The first statement highlights the general necessity for a vessel to maintain a watch on this channel unless operating in a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) system or specific circumstances dictate otherwise.

When vessels are operating in A1 sea areas, the requirement for a watch on VHF Channel 16 may be relaxed in situations where the vessel is under the Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act and within a VTS system, provided that they are monitoring both VHF Channel 13 and the appropriate VTS channel. This allows for effective communication while still adhering to safety protocols.

In the context of areas A2, A3, and A4, it is also established that a watch on VHF Channel 16 remains compulsory, underscoring the importance of maintaining a channel for distress communications and international coordination in more remote sea areas.

Thus, all these scenarios collectively reinforce the critical nature of maintaining a listening watch on V