Tri-Town Power Squadron

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.