Shipping Enthusiasts can enhance the enjoyment of their hobby by tuning into Marine Radio Transmissions.

Listening to marine broadcasts can be a useful way of getting advance notice that an interesting vessel is about to arrive or depart. Invaluable for the photographer.

In all Ship to Shore radio messages Channel 16 is used as the calling channel and then a switch is made to a working channel, usually one of the other frequencies shown as used for that port. Companies also use Marine Radio at ports during loading operations and onboard vessels. In such cases Channel 16 is not used.

The frequencies are grouped by location. In each group, the principal port for that area is listed first. The remainder follow alphabetically.

You should note that the amount of radio traffic at each port is directly proportional to the amount of traffic being handled. You are going to hear more when listening at Liverpool or Dublin than you are at Glasson Dock!

This frequency guide contains frequencies for the Irish Sea between a line from Belfast to Stranraer and Arklow to Holyhead.

Reports of any inaccuracies/changes and additional frequencies would also be welcome. 

It is intended to increase the scope of these listings during autumn / winter 2005.

Notes on listening to Marine Radio Transmissions [ click here ]

Those interested in Cruise Ship Radio Frequencies should visit Bill Dunn's site [ click here ]

updated 25/11/05

updated 27/11/05