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Bill,

The primary use of a VHF radio on very small boats is to communicate with the USCG or law enforcement. If you are in sight of land your hand held unit and it's rubber ducky antenna should be adequate for monitoring channel 16 and for contacting officials for help. Although the old salts may disagree, I believe a cell phone is also a very viable backup for your handheld VHF.

Are you able to receive Notices to Mariners and other calls from the USCG on your hand held?