A detachable wireless transceiver module (306, 308) operable to
communicate with a marine radio wireless communication system (10) on
board a waterborne vessel (12) is disclosed. The module is designed to be
secured and operably connected to a handheld marine radio (250) in order
to provide local wireless communications capability thereto. The enhanced
handheld marine radio (250) is operable to communicate directly with one
or more fixed mount marine radios (18, 38) and/or wireless handsets (26,
46, 50, 52) via local wireless channels.