Lesson 9

VHF Channels (Canada)

Before I give you the channels, I'd like to make sure that you know what are the procedures for normal calling, and distress calling on the radio. It's very important - especially in the distress calls - that you know how to do this, because it'll make it easier for the Coast Guard to understand what's going on, and to help you faster.

The following are the distress radio procedures:

Using VHF 16 say:

word "MAYDAY" - 3 times
words "THIS IS" - and then say the name of your boat 3 times
word "MAYDAY" - once
again say the name of the boat 1 time
give your position
state the nature of your emergency in a short statement.

The following is the normal calling procedure, say you're calling another yacht (the VHF channel depends on who you're calling):

say the name of the boat you want to contact 3 times (or "Coast Guard" 3 times if it's them you want to speak to)
say "THIS IS" and then the name of your boat 3 times
say "OVER"
after they've acknowledged, say "OVER" after each time you finish speaking your part

The table below gives you all the channels you should know. Don't hesitate to print them and keep them close to your radio.

Who's who	VHF channel
Continuous Marine Broadcast
English	21B, 83B
French (St. Lawrence River)	23B, 28B
Ship to ship	72
Ship to shore with Coast Guard, Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Centre	24, 26, 27, 85
Marinas and Yacht Clubs	68

Please visit Marine Radio in Canada for more complete information - including the info on Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate!

By the way, I will be grateful to anyone who can provide me with VHF channels for other parts of the world! They will be included here.

Lesson 10: "Dead Reckoning"