Who has the exclusive use of your radio?

The master or the person designated by the master has the exclusive use of your radio because the master is responsible for the overall operation and safety of the vessel. This includes managing communications, which are critical in ensuring that all navigational and safety information is relayed promptly and accurately. The master can designate another crew member to handle the radio, ensuring that communications are managed effectively without interference. This structured approach helps maintain protocol during emergencies or important navigational communications.

In contrast, while a crew member on watch may operate the radio, they do not have exclusive use of it; their duty is to assist with communications as instructed. The first mate typically supports the master and may have certain responsibilities, but the right to exclusively use the radio rests with the master. Similarly, though a radio operator might be the technician managing radio communications onboard, they also operate under the master's authority, rather than having exclusive control over the radio communications on the vessel.