[Company Logo Image]   

Volunteers Teaching Safe Boating!

Sarnia is located in Ontario, Canada on the border with the United States and across the Bluewater Bridge from Port Huron, Michigan.  Members of Sarnia Power and Sail Squadron boat out of the communities of Brights Grove, Camlachie, Corunna, Forest, Grand Bend, Mooretown, Petrolia, Point Edward, Port Franks, Sarnia, Wyoming, Strathroy and much of Lambton County.  Whether powerboat, sailboat, personal watercraft, jet boat or paddler, Sarnia Squadron Members are often found boating on Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake St. Clair as well as the Detroit River and St. Clair River.  Others cruise to the North Channel, Georgian Bay, the Trent-Severn Waterway and Lake Ontario.  Local marine facilities to Sarnia include: Bridgeview Yachting Centre, Sarnia Bay Marina, Sarnia Yacht Club and Lake Huron Yachts.

Sarnia Squadron

Weather Centre

Sarnia Squadron

Special Features

Do You Have Your Restricted Operator's Certificate (Maritime)?

If you are operating a pleasure craft and have a fixed or portable marine radio, all those who operate the radio are required by law to have a Restricted Operator's Certificate (Maritime).

A Radio Station License is no longer required when boating in Canadian or U.S. waters, but you must have a Restricted Operator's Certificate.

Be prepared to write the exam for the Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) with DSC Endorsement. To operate a maritime radio, you need the certificate. It is the law!

The Maritime Radio Course teaches emergency radio procedures, as well as everyday operating techniques to you and your family.

In Module 1, you will be taught 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.

For people who already have their Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime), the new DSC technology is now available on all new VHF Radios.  Take this quick upgrade seminar if you wish to get your DSC endorsement (required).  Covers Digital Selective Calling and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, (DSC/GMDSS).

Secure your lifeline. Be sure that you and your family take the Maritime Radio course

For more information contact:

Murray Long, Training Officer

 

Course Description

Objective: Preparation course for the Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) with DSC Endorsement examination.

 

This seminar consists of two modules:

 

Module One:

Introduces the student to Maritime Mobile Service, Regulations and Procedures. Students are taught the uses of marine radios, choice of frequencies, operation, phonetic alphabet, procedural words and phrases.

 

SECTION 1.0 Maritime Mobile Service

1.1 Regulations

 

SECTION 2.0 Procedures

2.1 Uses of marine radio

2.2 Radio Operation

2.3 Procedural words and phrases

2.4 Time

2.5 Call Signs

2.6 Calling

2.7 Choice of frequencies

2.8 Telephone calling

2.9 Radio checks

2.10 Control of communications

2.11 Priorities

 

SECTION 3.0 Distress communications

3.1 Priority

3.2 Frequencies to be used

3.3 Distress signal

3.4 Distress call

3.5 Distress message

3.6 Action by other ships

3.7 Distress traffic

3.8 Imposition of silence

3.9 Cancellation of distress

 

SECTION 4.0 Urgency communications

4.1 Priority

4.2 Frequencies to be used

4.3 Urgency signal

4.4 Urgency message

4.5Cancellation of urgency

 

SECTION 5.0 Safety communications

5.1 Priority

5.2 Safety signal

5.3 Procedures

5.4 Example of a safety call

 

SECTION 6.0 Distress simulations

6.1 Involvement with Canadian Coast Guard radio stations

6.2 Distress call and message

6.3 Homework study

 

SECTION 7.0 Additional information

7.1 Alarm signals

7.2 General electronic information

7.3 Alternative radio services

 

Module Two:

Covers Digital Selective Calling and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, (DSC/GMDSS). This module is of great importance. The availability of DSC is being greatly expanded. All mariners, including recreational boaters, will want to take advantage of the many features and capabilities of this innovative form “automatic “ radio.

Successful completion of this course will qualify the student for a “Restricted Operator’s Certificate (Maritime)” ROC (M), with DSC endorsement.

 

SECTION 1.0 Traditional system

1.1 Regulations

1.2 Procedures

1.3 Shortcomings

 

SECTION 2.0 Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

2.1 System overview

2.2 GMDSS concept

 

SECTION 3.0 GMDSS regulations and application

3.1 Equipment requirements

3.2 Sea areas

3.3 Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)

 

SECTION 4.0 Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radios

4.1 GMDSS primary component

4.2 Classes of DSC radios

4.3 Functions

4.4 DSC procedures

 

SECTION 5.0 Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs)
5.1 EPIRBs

5.2 COSPAS-SARSAT satellite systems

 

SECTION 6.0 Other GMDSS equipment

6.1 MF DSC radios

6.2 Portable VHF radios

6.3 NAVTEX receivers

6.4 Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTs)

 

SECTION 7.0 DSC practical exercises

7.1 Distress call

7.2 Urgency call (all ships)

7.3 Safety call (all ships)

7.4 Routine call (to another ship)

7.5 Acknowledging calls (distress, all ships, routine)

 


 

www.sarniacps.com

Sarnia Power & Sail Squadron is a unit of

Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons - Escadrilles canadiennes de plaisance

national web site: www.cps-ecp.ca
Our Pennant showing our location within the Great Lakes Region.

Western Ontario District

[ Home ] [ Up ]

Send mail to with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: March 23, 2008