Channel 9 and 16 are used to hail others most guys talk on 68. 69,71,72,and 78 are also available. Make sure you are aware of the rules. The coast gaurd gets real uptight when people talk on channels reserved for other uses. The scanner works out well. It can be pretty entertaining sometimes.

Heres the cg page with the allowable uses: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/vhf.htm
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The drift is always greener on the other side.