Sea Tow offering free automated VHF checks

Sea Tow Services International announced that the Montauk (N.Y.) Marine Basin is now a Sea Tow automated radio check host station.

Boaters in Long Island's Montauk Harbor and the surrounding areas of Block Island Sound can take advantage of the free service by calling channel 26 on their VHF radio.

Sea Tow's automated radio check, provided in association with MariTEL, lets boaters check to see whether their VHF is in proper working order. To use the service, tune the radio to the local automated channel, key the microphone and request a radio check. There will be an automated response, and the call will be played back, confirming that the radio is operational.

Sea Tow said the service also aids the Coast Guard by reducing non-emergency communications on channel 16.

"We are happy to be able to provide the free automated radio check service to local boaters and all other mariners passing through the area," Carl Darenberg, president of the Montauk Marine Basin, said in a statement. "A working VHF radio is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment on any boat."

Click here to find the dedicated automated radio check channel in a particular area.