Updated April 2, 2010

Maritime Radio Course

Secure your lifeline. Register you and your family for the Maritime Radio course.

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To indicate interest in taking this course: Click Here.

By law, recreational boaters using a maritime radio in Canada must hold a Restricted Radio Operator's Certificate (Maritime).   

As of 2005, current ROC certificants must upgrade to the new GMDSS endorsement, if they will use any GMDSS equipment, such as a VHF radio equipped with DSC (digital selective calling).

The Maritime Radio course teaches emergency radio procedures, as well as everyday operating techniques to you and your family. As well, the course prepares you for the Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) with DSC Endorsement examination. The ROC(M) is required by law for anyone who operates a marine radio. Anyone operating a marine radio device equipped with GMDSS service, including DSC (Digital Selective Calling), must have the DSC Endorsement as well.

Module 1 teaches the uses of marine radios, choice of frequencies, operation, phonetic alphabet, procedural words and phrases. 

Module 2 covers Digital Selective Calling and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, (DSC/GMDSS). All mariners, including recreational boaters, will want to take advantage of the many features and capabilities of this innovative form “automatic” radio.

Blue Heron Power and Sail Squadron offers both modules on a Thursday evening and Saturday each spring. At the end of the course candidates write the examination for the Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) with DSC Endorsement, or for those who already have the old Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime), then just the DSC Endorsement. Those requiring only the DSC Endorsement can join the course after lunch, for that part of the course.

Candidates MUST pre-register and must study the materials before the course day. Check the What's New page for announcement.

Lost Your Certificate?

• Want to replace your paper Restricted Operator's Certificate (Maritime) with a plastic card?  Send C$5.00 and a copy of your paper certificate to the Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons, 26 Golden Gate Court, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M1P 3A5; 1-888-277-2628..
• Lost your Restricted Operator's Certificate (Maritime)?   Email Spectrum Management, a branch of Industry Canada.  Give them as much information as you can about when and where you took the test, including your mailing address at the time you were issued your ROC.

Marine VHF Channels Around Prince Edward Island

Here are customary uses of some commonly used channels in our area. 

*Duplex means that transmission is occurring on one frequency, and reception on another.  In PEI waters boats will be talking with the Sydney Coast Guard radio station.  Can be used to obtain a land telephone connection.  Call  "Sydney Coast Guard radio" on 16 and they will direct you to the appropriate channel.  Boaters reach Sydney via repeaters.  The repeater in eastern PEI  is at Montague.For a review of basic VHF etiquette and techniques, see http://www.ncf.ca/boating/vhfcall.html

Mayday Reminder

Post a Mayday reminder near your boat's VHF radio to help people make a Mayday call in an emergency.  Here is an example.  Copy it to a word processor, personalize it for your boat, then print it out.  Plasticize it with a kit from Staples, then use 2-sided velcro to stick it beside your VHF radio.