There have been some threads on Ham and GMRS, does anyone know about the marine band radios?  There are handhelds which have 5 watt output, and vehicle mount with 25 watt output.  Do you have to have a license? Do you have to have a boat?  What is the range for these things? Any other restrictions?  

You don't need a license.  You are only supposed to use them on the water, not on land.  Distance is partly based on a direct "line of site" between antennas, and the "shape" of your signal, determined by the type of antenna you select for your boat.  You don't want your life to depend on the distance a hand held will reach while you are standing in your boat.  Especially a boat that is rocking side to side in the wind.

Get your hands on a West Marine catalog.  Good basic info in there.  May be on the web site too.

If you looking for good two-way communication try the Nextel direct connect cell phone system. We have 3 state communication here in WV using the walkie-talkie feature.

The system has worked great for our company's employees that use them.

Sometime by early summer the direct connect system will be available for nationwide two-way coverage.  Neat high tech stuff.