What is the proper procedure while using the standard emergency radio?

Using channel 16 to hail and channel 6 to talk is the correct procedure for emergency radio communication. Channel 16 is designated as the international distress frequency and is primarily used for distress alerts and hailing other vessels or coast stations. Once contact has been made on channel 16, it is standard practice to switch to another channel, such as channel 6, for further communications. This allows the emergency frequency to remain clear for other urgent scenarios that may arise, promoting safety and effective communication at sea.

Channel 6 is typically used for operational and routine communications once a connection has been established. This separation helps to ensure that emergency channels are not congested and can be accessed quickly by those in need.

In contrast, the other options do not follow the established protocols for radio communication. Using channel 16 for all communications would overwhelm that channel with non-distress traffic, which poses risks during an emergency. Using channel 6 solely for distress signals does not utilize the frequencies as intended, and relying on channel 9 for emergency communications is not aligned with standard practices, as channel 9 is not designated for distress or urgency but is often used for ship-to-ship communications.