Here's a friendly reminder from Ken
Goodings, a Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS) Registered Marine Radio
Examiner.
This spring, you might seriously consider applying for a maritime radio station
licence for your boat. It's not necessary for Canadian pleasure craft in
Canadian waters, but as soon as you cross the border into the USA, or into any
foreign country without a reciprocal maritime radio operating agreement, it is a
requirement. Below, you will find the application form for the station licence
for your boat. Your vessel will be assigned a unique alphanumerical radio call
sign.
This station licence automatically covers your boat for all radio transmitting
equipment. VHF, MF & HF (SSB) , Radar and Direction Finding radios, as well as
any portable marine VHF transceivers that you may have.
The lifetime plastic wallet card, Restricted Radio Operator's Certificate
(Maritime) is no longer sufficient when Canadians sail in the USA. You still
require this certificate to operate any marine radio transceiver, but if you
leave Canada your vessel must once again have an annually renewed station
licence. (It's a piece of paper)
Toronto Power and Sail Squadron is holding Maritime Radio operator's classes at
Forest Hill Collegiate in Toronto this winter, and again in the spring.
Squadrons across the country also provide these courses on a regular basis.
Every crew member should know proper radio
procedure, so take the class and get your own operators certificate. If you
don't have a lifetime Marine Operator's Certificate - ROC (Maritime) plastic
card, we'd be pleased to have you register for one of our classes.
http://www.torontopowersquadron.org/ (For other squadron contacts,
visit
http://www.cps-ecp.ca/english/squadron.html
Here's where to download the application form for the boat's radio station
licence: (it is an Acrobat PDF file)
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/vwapj/ic2378ba_e.pdf/$FILE/ic2378ba_e.pdf
Fill it in, with the complete details of all of your boat's radio transmitting
gear, including radar, handi-talkies and SSB transceiver if you have one.
State your boat's current name, and just apply as "NEW", even if you have once
held a station licence for your boat. The old database containing your former
call sign has probably been deleted.
The following is just an example for one kind of VHF radio. Look on the rear
panel of your equipment to find the following type of information:
Manufacturer: Model # Industry Canada approval #
The following specifications are common to all 25-watt base station type marine
VHF transceivers
RF output 25 W Frequency Range 156.025 - 163.275 MHz Band Width and Emission:
16K0F3E
Fax or mail the application to:
FAX (416) 954-3553
Industry Canada, Spectrum Management, Toronto District Office, 55 St Clair Ave
East Toronto ON M4T 1M2
"Radiocommunication Regulations" sets forth the
licence fees on page 34
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/sf01265e.html
Since fees may change from time to time, contact your local Spectrum management
office.
RIC-66 - Addresses and Telephone Numbers of Regional and District Offices
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/sf01742e.html
This is a good Q&A for vessel licencing concerns.
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/h_sf01775e.html
Here is a "Virtual Licence" link. It enables individuals to print their own
licences after the annual licence renewal payment (due in March) has been
processed by Industry Canada.
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/sf05606e.html
Annual Maritime Radio Station Licence renewal fees may be paid on the internet.
Click on "Spectrum Direct" to pay renewal fees (only), print your licence, and
access MMSI application forms etc.
Here is a CPS statement detailing the reason for getting a station licence for
your pleasure vessel.
May 31, 2004
"In 1999 we de-licensed marine and aeronautical and entered into negotiations
with the United States for a reciprocal agreement for aircraft and boaters
crossing the border into the USA, the idea being that we would not require a
license in either country. Recently, in post 9/11 USA, other issues have taken
the forefront and this issue was relegated to the back burner for the time being
and an agreement was not reached.
As you are all aware, our exemption only applies in Canadian and International
waters. When a vessel or aircraft is in the sovereign territory of any foreign
administration, the provisions of the ITU apply, which requires that all
stations be licensed unless there is a treaty between the administrations
involved.
Since we do not have a treaty at this point in time, from this day forward, we
should advise our clients enquiring about travel into the USA (air or marine)
that they will require a license to fully comply with international law. It may
save someone's holiday by explaining that in these post 9/11 days of increasing
uncertainty, you never know when zero tolerance attitudes may surface and cause
travelers grief if their paper work is not all in order. It is fairly
inexpensive to obtain and maintain your Canadian licensing, and these days
licensing, operators certificates and passports are all considered very good
things to have."
If anyone has questions please contact Jim Laursen at Laursen.Jim@ic.gc.ca or
Michael Krenz at Industry Canada."
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