VHF
Radio
VHF
Channel Usage
The VHF working channels table lists channels for pleasure boats in
different parts of Canada. I created this table with input from two
VHF instructors and Coast Guard employees. RIC-13 contains too much
information! The federal publication "RIC-13 Table of Transmitting
Frequencies" (Radiocom Information Circular from Industry Canada)
states that it has no status in law. Note that channel usage is different
in each part of Canada. I included some channels for non-commercial
use, but use them with care (monitor for at least 10 minutes to make
it is not currently in use). Read the letter from Industry Canada explaining
usage of unassigned channels.
The
Canadian Coast Guard provides continuous service on VHF channel 16 (156.8
MHz), and on 2182 kHz. Call the local Canadian Coast Guard on their
working frequency 22A for making a radiotelephone call or to report
your Float Plan.
Channel
16 is for distress and calling only. Learn how to make a VHF radio call
to another boat or marina. Once a vessel has responded to your call,
you must move to one of the VHF working channels authorized for pleasure
boats to continue. If these are busy, you may use channels designated
for non-commercial and intership communications but you must note all
restrictions. If channels are shared with commercial and official government
organizations, use them only if they are "quiet" of that use
for at least 5 minutes.
The
St. Lawrence Seaway uses 11, 12, 13, 14. Contact locks and large ships
on 13.
Channel
68 is a main working channel for boats, but is also used to call marinas
and harbours - don't call them on 16. Note that some marinas monitors
68 on an outdoor speaker for everyone to listen to! On Vancouver Island,
marinas north of Campbell River monitor 73.
It
is illegal to use channel 70 for intership communication. Channel 70
is reserved exclusively for DSC: Digital Selective Calling digital safety
and distress calls, part of the new GMDSS international marine emergency
system. Channel 65A is restricted to Search and Rescue operations only
- boaters should not use it for any other reason.
The
U.S. allows Channel 9 as a second calling channel for recreational boats.
This channel is not a calling channel in Canada.
Canadian
Coast Guard monitors 22A (157.1 MHz) and uses 1-3, 23-28, 60, 64, 84-88
for public correspondence. You may call them on 22A to check for messages
or make a telephone patch. They will tell you which channel to switch
to for making a VHF radiotelephone call via the Marine Operator. For
long-distance calling, you must have an existing account or a valid
ship's license for billing purposes.
Navagational
Aids
| Aids to navigation are devices (buoys) or systems (collision regulations),
that are external to the pleasure craft. They are provided to help
the operator of a pleasure craft determine position and course.
They can additionally warn the operator of dangers or obstructions
and advise the operator of the location of the best or preferred
route.
Port Hand and Starboard Hand
Buoys
Port hand buoys are green and starboard hand buoys are red. They
show which side of a channel is safest to travel; accordingly,
they mark channels or hazards. Generally, green buoys must be
passed on the left side of a craft heading upstream, i.e., against
the current. Red buoys must be kept on the right side of a craft
when proceeding in the upstream direction. A simple rule is red
to the right when returning, or the three “R’s”:
red, right, return.
In many places, the direction
of the current is determined by consensus or by the tide. It is
important to be thoroughly familiar with the aids to navigation
in your region.
|
Port
Hand Buoys
Green in colour. They can be shaped as:
cans
spars
pillars
If they do not have a green light they will be flat on top
|
 |
Starboard
Hand Buoys
Red in colour. They can be shaped as:
conical
spars
pillars
If they do not have a red light they will be conical on top.
|
Green
port hand buoys
- marks the port (left) side of a channel or the location of a
danger and must be kept on the port (left) side of a pleasure
craft when proceeding in the upstream direction;
- it is coloured green;
- displays identification letter(s) and odd number(s);
- if it carries a top mark, the top mark is a single green cylinder;
- if it carries a light, the light is green and is a flashing
(FI) 4 s or quick flashing (Q) 1 s;
- if the buoy does not carry a light, it has a flat top.
Red starboard hand buoys
- Marks the starboard (right) side of a channel or the location
of a danger and must be kept on the starboard (right) side of
a pleasure craft when proceeding in the upstream direction;
- is coloured red;
- displays identification letter(s) and even number(s);
- if it carries a top mark, the top mark is a single red cone,
pointing upward;
- if it carries a light, the light is red and is a flashing (F1)
4 s or quick flashing (Q) 1 s;
- if the buoy does not carry a light, it has a pointed top.
Bifurcation buoys
- You may pass buoys with red and green bands on either side in
the upstream direction.
- The main or preferred channel is shown by the colour of the
top band.
- For example, if a red band is on top, you should keep the buoys
on your starboard (right) side. |
BOAT
INSPECTIONS
(Small
Craft Courtesy Examinations)

The
Transport Canada have given the authority to a few Tri-Town Power Squadron
members, who have successfully completed both a training session and
an examination, to perform Small Craft Courtesy Examinations. Such examinations
are made only by invitation of the vessel's owner. That is, the owner/operator
volunteers to have his or her vessel examined.
Examinations
should normally take place alongside a dock or float, or with the vessel
on a trailer. The public should feel that the examiner is there to advise
them and to further their safety and enjoyment of boating. By properly
caring for and maintaining the required equipment on board, owners and
operators may greatly reduce the number of marine accidents. Courtesy
examiners are not peace officers and have no law enforcement authority.
Early
each spring, a blitz is planned, in cooperation with the OPP Community
Services Officer to carry out Courtesy Examinations for as many boats
as possible. These examinations will generally take place in the Haileybury
and New Liskeard Marinas in June. Examinations may be otherwise set
up by appointment .
CHARTS
and BOATING ON LAKE TEMISKAMING
Official
charts are now available for Lake Temiskaming. They can be purchased
at the New Liskeard Marina. The cost is approximately $26.
The last hydraulic trailer, boating north, on the waterway system is
also at Temiscaming. LakeTemiskaming to the City of Ottawa (and, of
course, beyond) has been officially charted. Most of the obstructions
noted on these charts, including the log booms have all been removed
since the opening of the waterway. Keep a close lookout, however, for
floating logs especially in the spring.
It
is approximately 60 miles from Temiscaming, Quebec, to New Liskeard,
Ontario, at the north end of the lake. For reasonably accurate waterway
distances in kilometres see the section on MILEAGE
DISTANCES below. Gas is available at Temiscaming and Ville Marie
in Quebec and in both Haileybury and New Liskeard, Ontario. Other services
are available as described in the section on SERVICES below.
The
following map is an unofficial map of the Lake Temiskaming and is not
to be relied upon for navigational purposes. The Tri-Town Power &
Sail Squadron does not certify the accuracy of the map or any information
contained on it and accepts no responsibilty whatsoever for any injury
or damage occasioned to any individual or boat while boating in this
area. The map has been produced solely for the convenience of boaters
travelling in our area.
When
navigating the river and Lake Temiskaming north from Temiscaming, Quebec,
there are very few obstacles not clearly visible and those are almost
exclusively near the shore. The centre channel has water depths in a
range down 250 feet, many areas reaching depths of 300 to 500 feet with
one point near the Kipawa River dropping to below 700 feet. The result
is a very safe lake for navigating even without the aid of official
charts.
It
is intended that this map will be updated and water depths, marinas,
safe anchorages, obstructions etc. will be noted. For more complete
information on Lake Temiskaming contact The Tri-Town Power & Sail
Squadron at our email address.