The US Coast Guard issued a safety alert stating that an automatic channel switching feature found on certain models of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipped VHF marine radios may create an unintended hazard by automatically switching from a working channel to Channel 16 when the radio receives a DSC distress alert, distress alert acknowledgement, or other DSC call where a VHF channel number has been designated. The Coast Guard strongly recommends disabling the automatic channel switching feature when maintaining a listening watch, communicating on the designated bridge-to-bridge radiotelephone, or monitoring the vessel traffic services (VTS) channel. The Coast Guard also strongly recommends that radio operators and other users ensure that the radio is on the proper channel when communicating or maintaining a listening watch. Safety Alert 02-10 (4/13/10). http://tinyurl.com/y4ppk3y