hey pat:
not sure how "accessible" a marine radio would need to be since they are 
channel designated and not frequency adjustable for the most part.
So, the thing would be to find a unit with some kind of keypad entry from 
the microphone, or front of the radio on an HT, so you could enter a channel 
number in, then count clicks on the dial, or with up/down buttons.
I know most marine radios i've seen have a priority button that will put the 
radio to the emergency channel with a single button press...which would mean 
you could always have that point of reference to count up or down from.
Of course, there are an awful lot of marine channels, so having the ability 
to enter channel numbers directly would be a bonus.
Otherwise, something like the wouxun d1P could be programmed with all the 
marine frequencies and used in memory mode...and you would have spoken 
channel numbers and direct entry to jump to specific channels.

73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Patrick Tice" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 2:14 PM
Subject: Accessible Marine VHF radio


> Hello, Listers -
>
> A fellow who is studying for his ham license asked me about blind 
> accessible
> VHF marine radios. I couldn't find anything in the blind-hams archives, 
> but
> I guess that's not surprising considering it's a ham radio forum, Still,
> these days manufacturers are building radios that share features across 
> the
> various models, and I know some of you must be interested in
> sailing/boating, so...  If anyone has any idea where to look, please pass 
> it
> on to me.
>
> Thanks!
>
> 73 - Pat
>
> Regards,
>
> Patrick Tice
> [log in to unmask]