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Chapter 13
Radio Equipment – VHF, DSC Two-way Communication
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT ^
Two-way communication capability is essential in an offshore emergency
situation. A marine VHF radiotelephone is mandatory on all passenger vessels
in a VHF coverage area. If your vessel operates outside a VHF coverage
area, you must have a reliable means of two-way radio communications with
a responsible person on shore.
In the Great Lakes Basin, a vessel with more than six passengers should
be equipped with two VHF radiotelephones, one of which may be portable.
If your vessel is engaged on a foreign voyage or a home-trade voyage
carrying more than six passengers, it should be equipped with a VHF DSC
radio installation.
VHF-DSC Radio
By August 1, 2003, ships of closed construction that are more than 8
m in length and ships carrying more than six passengers when engaged on
foreign or home-trade voyages must be equipped with a VHF-DSC Radio.
DSC means Digital Selective Calling. DSC radios are based on satellite
and digital technology and encoded with a unique nine-digit identification
number that allows for private calling. This unique number, called your
Maritime Mobile Service Identity Number (MMSI#), is much like a cellular
telephone number.
The advantage of DSC is its emergency communication capability. Mayday
calls are sent by simply touching the "DISTRESS" button on the
radio. The mayday message includes the vessel’s position (when connected
to a LORAN or GPS receiver) and the identity of the boat from its MMSI#.
The message repeats until acknowledged by another DSC radio. The recipient’s
DSC radio sounds an alert tone and displays the distressed vessel’s
coordinates and MMSI number on the radio readout.
RESTRICTED OPERATORS CERTIFICATE (ROC) ^
All VHF radio operators responsible for radio watch on compulsory fitted
vessels are required to hold, at minimum, a Restricted Operator Certificate
Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC). For more information, see Chapter
3, Vessel Crewing and Operator Certification.
RADIO STATION LICENCE AND CALL SIGN
^
Ships making or planning to make voyages to other countries, including
the United States, should apply for a Radio Station Licence and radio
call sign. This licence is renewable annually, for a fee. Ships operating
within Canadian waters are exempt from Industry Canada, Spectrum Management
(ICSM) licencing requirements.
Radio equipment fitted onboard Canadian ships must be type-approved by
ICSM. The type approval number, which appears on a label affixed to the
back of your radio will indicate this approval. When purchasing radio
equipment, make certain it has been given ICSM approval. Equipment purchased
outside of Canada may not have this approval.
RADIO STATION REQUIREMENTS ^
Radio Installation
A VHF radio installation must be capable of transmitting and receiving
communications using DSC on frequency 156.525 MHz (channel 70), as well
as voice communications on frequency 156.3 MHz (channel 6), frequency
156.65 MHz (channel 13), frequency 156.8 MHz (channel 16), and any other
frequencies, specifically assigned for the transmission of maritime safety
information in the area in which the ship is navigating.
Radio Watch
Vessels that are compulsorily fitted with VHF equipment must begin radio
watch on 156.8 MHz, Channel 16, at least 15 minutes prior to getting underway
and continue until once again at anchor or moored. Ships voluntarily fitted
should endeavor to keep watch on the frequency 2182 kHz (MF) or156.8 MHz
(VHF), Channel 16, when at sea, to ensure that distress, urgency, or safety
traffic will be heard and responded to by as many stations as possible.
Log Keeping
Compulsory-fitted vessels must maintain a radio log of distress, urgency
and safety communications specific to the vessel and a record of radio
servicing and testing. This requirement is not mandatory for voluntarily
fitted vessels, but it is strongly recommended that you keep a log, especially
of all emergency traffic.
MOBILE PHONES ^
It is recommended that operators of vessels not requiring and not fitted
with marine radio equipment carry a cellular phone, in areas where cellular
coverage is available, or a satellite phone. Emergency response is available
by dialing a Rescue Coordination Centre directly or, by dialing *16, routing
your call through the nearest Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications
and Traffic Services Centre.
Remember that cellular and satellite phones are not substitutes for a
marine radio. Making a call does not alert other boaters close to you,
and in most instances, rescuers cannot follow the cellular phone signal
back to your location.
ELECTRONIC POSITION INDICATING RADIO BEACON (EPIRB)
^
An Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is required on
your vessel if it is 8 metres or more in length and less than 15 tons,
and engaged on a home-trade voyage, Class I; a home-trade voyage, Class
II; or a foreign voyage (see Voyage
Classifications, Chapter 1).
An EPIRB should be located on board your vessel so it can be readily accessible
or controlled near where the ship is navigated and manually released and
carried into a survival craft. Certain vessels are required to fit the
EPIRB in a float-free arrangement.
MORE INFORMATION ^
Contact your local Marine Safety Centre to find out the laws and regulations
that apply to your particular vessel and situation.
- Canada Shipping Act, Ship Station (Radio) Regulations, 1999,
SOR/2000-260
http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/C/csa/regulations/060/csa063/csa63.html
- Canada Shipping Act, Ship Station (Radio) Technical Regulations,
1999, SOR/2000-265
http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/C/csa/regulations/060/csa064/csa64.html
- Canada Shipping Act, VHF Radiotelephone Practices and Procedures
Regulations, SOR/81-364
http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/C/csa/regulations/090/csa096/csa96.html
- Canada Shipping Act, Ship Radio Inspection Fees Regulations,
CRC, Vol. XVII, c. 1472
http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/C/csa/regulations/060/csa062/csa62.html
- Canada Shipping Act, Crewing Regulations, SOR/97-390
http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/C/csa/regulations/070/csa079/csa79.html
- A map showing VHF coverage is contained within the publication entitled
"Radio Aids to Marine Navigation", which can be viewed at
http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/mcts-sctm/main_e.htm
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