RADIO AIDS TO MARINE NAVIGATION - Canadian Coast Guard

PART 4
GENERAL
PROCEDURES
RADIOTELEPHONE PROCEDURES
General
In the interest of safe navigation, and especially during bad weather conditions, masters should ensure that a continuous
listening watch is maintained on 2182 kHz. Where practicable, and having due regard for Vessel Traffic Services and
Seaway Control requirements, a conscientious listening watch should be maintained on VHF Ch 16 (156.8 MHz).
2182 kHz AND CH 16 (156.8 MHz) SHALL ONLY BE USED FOR DISTRESS, URGENCY AND SAFETY
COMMUNICATIONS AND FOR CALLING PURPOSES. THE CLASS OF EMISSION TO BE USED FOR
RADIOTELEPHONY ON THE FREQUENCY 2182 kHz SHALL BE J3E.
Initial calls must be made directly on the safety and calling frequency 2182 kHz. This procedure is required
because MCTS Centres do not monitor MF working frequencies.
Initial calls should be made directly on any of the VHF working frequencies shown in bold type, in the “Receiving”
column of the MCTS Centre listing, in which case the MCTS Centre will reply on the corresponding frequency
shown in the “Transmitting” column. It is necessary on the initial call for the channel number (see listings) to be
indicated. This procedure is required to provide MCTS Officers, who guard a number of frequencies simultaneously, with
a positive indication of the correct channel to be selected for answering the call. Before making a call directly on a
working frequency, care should be taken to listen for a period long enough to ensure that the channel is not in use.
Requests for radio checks shall be made to the MCTS Centre in the same manner outlined above for initial calls.
If difficulty is experienced in establishing contact with the MCTS Centre, or if contact is desired with another vessel, the
initial call may be made on the calling frequency Ch 16 in which case the station called will reply on the same frequency.
As soon as communication has been established a change must be made to an agreed working frequency and all further
communications made on that frequency.
Masters of compulsorily-fitted ships are reminded that a radio log of all distress and urgency communications and safety
communications pertaining to their own ship should be kept and maintained onboard their vessels.
The following examples will illustrate the procedure to be used:
Initial call, when a vessel is attempting to establish communication on a working frequency with a specific station:
Item Spoken
Name of station called (not more than three times)
TOFINO COAST GUARD RADIO
The words THIS IS
THIS IS
Type, name, radio call sign of vessel calling (not more than three times) STEAMER FAIRMOUNT CYLD
and channel CHANNEL 26
Invitation to reply
OVER
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