Stop 17: Radio Room

The radio room was the communications center of the ship. Radio operators constant communication with other vessels and land (coastal) stations, sending and receiving bulletins and weather reports, details on cargo and convoys, and sending message traffic.

In many situations at sea, the radio operator was the only link between a ship in distress and emergency assistance from other ships or land based rescuers. Many radio operators went down with their ships while they were sending SOS signals or giving position reports to guide other ships trying to locate survivors. In New York a monument is located in Battery Park dedicated to those radio officers who gave their lives in maritime distress emergencies. These radio operators made the Radio Officer vocation one of honor and skill.

To keep up with the activities of the Marine Radio Historical Society go to http://radiomarine.org