experience on the water, need some input

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by Sweetwater

Vessels not required to carry a marine radio (e.g. recreational vessels less than 20m length), but which voluntarily carry a radio, must maintain a watch on channel 16 (156.800 MHz) whenever the radio is operating and not being used to communicate. Such vessels may alternatively maintain a watch on VHF channel 9 (156.450 MHz), the boater calling channel. Note however that urgent marine information broadcasts, such as storm warnings, are announced on channel 9 only in First CG District waters (northern New Jersey, New York and New England).

Source: FCC 47 CFR 80.310

thanks, very interesting. it states "whenever the radio is operating" but what if you dont turn it on?