What is the primary purpose of VHF survival radios?

The primary purpose of VHF survival radios is emergency communication during distress. These radios are specifically designed to operate on VHF frequencies, allowing mariners to send out distress signals and communicate with nearby vessels and search and rescue organizations in emergency situations. In life-threatening scenarios, the ability to quickly alert others and provide location information is critical for facilitating a swift response, potentially saving lives.

While communication with other vessel crews is an important function of VHF radios, it is not their primary purpose in survival scenarios. Navigation assistance and weather report transmission are also capabilities associated with marine radio use, but they do not address immediate survival needs in an emergency. The focus of a survival radio is to ensure that individuals can reach out for help when their safety is at risk.