Radio Aids to Marine Navigation 2026: Part 1: Foreword

Radio Aids to Marine Navigation 2026
(PDF, 10 MB)

1.1 Advance Notices

In order for mariners to have advance knowledge of proposed changes to existing facilities and services, all additions, deletions and changes to such facilities under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Coast Guard are listed below. Effective dates of changes and dates for the commissioning of new facilities and services are extremely hard to forecast due to difficulties in obtaining materials and are subject to the provision of necessary funds. Every effort will be made to amend dates as far in advance as possible. A Notice to Mariners will be issued for all changes to facilities and the commissioning of new facilities and services.

1.1.1 Marine Mammal Protection

Working in collaboration with other government departments/agencies, Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Centres are monitoring vessel traffic for compliance with new measures toward the protection of marine mammals. Vessels are to comply with relevant Interim Orders, Ship Safety Bulletins, and Notices to Mariners with regard to the protection of the North Atlantic Right Whale and Southern Resident killer whale.

1.1.1.1 North Atlantic Right Whale

Up to date Navigational Warning (NAVWARN) information with regard to Static Zones, Dynamic Shipping zones, Seasonal Management Areas and the Shediac Valley Restricted Area is available at the Navigational Warnings website.

1.1.1.2 Southern Resident Killer Whale

Up to date NAVWARN information, including waterway closures and mandatory speed restrictions, is available at the Navigational Warnings website.

Note: Roseway Basin Seasonal Area is to be avoided. In order to significantly reduce the risk of ship strikes of the highly endangered North Atlantic Right Whale, it is recommended that ships of 300 tons gross tonnage and upwards in transit during the period of June 1st through December 31st should avoid this area. Any sightings are to be reported to Halifax MCTS.

1.1.2 VHF Data Exchange System (VDES)

VDES is an international initiative to modernize marine VHF radio, particularly the Automatic Identification System. It will allow ships and shore stations to share more digital data. Canada is planning for the future introduction of VDES beginning around 2030. Mariners should be aware that some existing duplex VHF allocations may be retired or reassigned.

1.2 Canadian Maritime Mobile Service Safety and Public Correspondence Communication Frequencies

The frequencies listed on the following pages are those in general use for ship/shore communications with MCTS operated by the CCG.

Part 2 of this publication contains individual listings for MCTS Centres operated by the CCG, giving details of the communication and special services provided to ships.

Table 1-1 - Maritime Mobile Service Safety and Communication Frequencies MF/HF Available at MCTS Centres
Carrier Frequency (kHz) Ship	Carrier Frequency (kHz) Coast	Channel	Class of Emission	Remarks
-	490	-	F1B	National NAVTEX Service (French).
-	518	-	F1B	International NAVTEX Service (English).
-	2054	-	J3E	CCG MSI.
2103.5	-	-	J3E	Government use only.
2118	2514	-	J3E	Public Correspondence.
-	2514	-	J3E	CCG MSI.
2142	2538	-	J3E	Public Correspondence.
2142	2558	-	J3E	Public Correspondence.
2182	2182	-	J3E	International Distress/Safety (RT). Call/Reply.
2206	2582	-	J3E	Public Correspondence.
-	2598	-	J3E	CCG MSI.
2815	2530	-	J3E	Public Correspondence.
-	2749	-	J3E	CCG MSI.
4071	4363	403	J3E	Public Correspondence.
-	4363	-	J3E	CCG MSI.
4083	4375	-	J3E	Public Correspondence.
4116	4408	-	J3E	Public Correspondence.
4125	4125	-	J3E	International Distress/Safety (Radiotelephony). Call/Reply.
4177.5	4177.5	-	F1B	International Distress/Safety (NBDP).
4207.5	4207.5	-	F1B	International Distress/Safety (DSC).
-	4416	-	J3C	Radiofacsimile
5803	5803	-	J3E	Distress/Safety. Calling/Reply.
6200	6501	601	J3E	Public Correspondence.
6206	6507	603	J3E	Public Correspondence. CCG MSI.
6212	6513	605	J3E	Public Correspondence.
6215	6215	606	J3E	International Distress/Safety. Call/Reply.
-	6218.6	-	J3E	CCG MSI.
6268	6268	-	F1B	International Distress/Safety (NBDP).
6312	6312	-	F1B	International Distress/Safety (DSC).
-	6915.1	-	J3C	Radiofacsimile
8228	8752	812	J3E	Public Correspondence.
8270	8794	826	J3E	Public Correspondence.
8291	8291	-	J3E	International Distress/Safety (RT).
8376.5	8376.5	-	F1B	International Distress/Safety (NBDP).
8414.5	8414.5	-	F1B	International Distress/Safety (DSC).
-	8416.5	-	F1B	International MSI Broadcast (NBDP).
12230	13077	1201	J3E	Public Correspondence.
12290	12290	1221	J3E	International Distress/Safety. Call/Reply.
12520	12520	-	F1B	International Distress/Safety (NBDP).
12577	12577	-	F1B	International Distress/Safety (DSC).
16420	16420	1621	J3E	International Distress/Safety. Call/Reply.
16695	16695	-	F1B	International Distress/Safety (NBDP).
16804.5	16804.5	-	F1B	International Distress/Safety (DSC).

Note: The assigned frequency is 1.4 kHz higher than the carrier frequency. Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) will be consulting with all Canadians on the outcome of the World Radio Conference-19 (WRC-19) before implementing changes to Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulations-2 (RBR-2) and this table.

Table 1-2 - Maritime Mobile Safety and Communication Frequencies VHF

Mariners in Canadian waters must confirm their radios are in Canadian channel mode.

New Channel Designator	Old Channel Designator	Frequencies (MHz) Ship Transmit	Frequencies (MHz) Ship Receive	Nature of Service and Type of Traffic	Remarks
01	01	156.050	160.650	Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence.
02	02	156.100	160.700	Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence.
03	03	156.150	160.750	Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence.
04A	1004	156.200	156.200	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Safety	DFO/CCG liaison. Commercial fishing.
1005	05A	156.250	156.250	Ship Movement	VTS.
06	06	156.300	156.300	Intership, Commercial, Non-Commercial, Safety	SAR/Safety Communications between ships and aircraft. Intership.
1007	07A	156.350	156.350	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial	-
08	08	156.400	156.400	Intership, Commercial, Safety	Intership.
09	09	156.450	156.450	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-Commercial, Safety, Ship Movement	VTS. Intership.
10	10	156.500	156.500	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-Commercial, Safety, Ship Movement	VTS. Intership.
11	11	156.550	156.550	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-Commercial, Safety, Ship Movement	VTS. Pilotage.
12	12	156.600	156.600	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-Commercial, Safety, Ship Movement	VTS. Port Operations. Pilotage.
13	13	156.650	156.650	Intership, Commercial, Non-Commercial, Ship Movement	VTS. Bridge to Bridge navigational traffic.
14	14	156.700	156.700	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-Commercial, Safety, Ship Movement	VTS. Port Operations. Pilotage.
15	15	156.750	156.750	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-Commercial, Safety, Ship Movement	VTS. Intership. Low power only
16	16	156.800	156.800	Safety	International Distress and Safety (RT).
17	17	156.850	156.850	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-Commercial, Safety, Ship Movement	Low power only.
1018	18A	156.900	156.900	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial	Towing – BC Coast area.
1019	19A	156.950	-	-	DFO/CCG liaison. CCG MSI Broadcast.
20	20	157.000	161.600	Ship/Shore, Safety, Ship Movement	Port operations only with 1 watt maximum power.
1021	21A	157.050	-	Intership, Ship/Shore	DFO/CCG liaison.
2021	21B		161.650	Safety	CCG CMB. CCG MSI Broadcast.
1022	22A	157.100	157.100	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-Commercial	DFO/CCG liaison.
23	23	157.150	161.750	Ship/Shore, Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence.
2023	23B	-	161.750	Safety	CCG CMB. CCG MSI Broadcast.
24	24	157.200	161.800	Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence.
1024	24A	157.200	-		-
25	25	157.250	161.850	Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence.
2025	25B	-	161.850	Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence.
26	26	157.300	161.900	Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence.
27	27	157.350	161.950	Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence.
28	28	157.400	162.000	Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence.
60	60	156.025	160.625	Ship/Shore, Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence
1061	61A	156.075	156.075	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial	DFO/CCG liaison. Commercial fishing.
1062	62A	156.125	156.125	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial	DFO/CCG liaison. Commercial fishing.
1063	63A	156.175	156.175	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial	Tow Boats - BC Coast area.
64	64	156.225	160.825	Ship/Shore, Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence
1064	64A	156.225	156.225	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial	Commercial fishing.
1065	65A	156.275	156.275	Safety, Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-Commercial	SAR/Safety.
1066	66A	156.325	156.325	Safety, Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-Commercial	See RBR-2 restrictions.
67	67	156.375	156.375	Safety, Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-Commercial	SAR/Safety Communications between ships and aircraft. Intership.
68	68	156.425	156.425	Intership, Ship/Shore, Non-Commercial	For marinas, yacht clubs and pleasure craft.
69	69	156.475	156.475	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-Commercial	Commercial fishing.
70	70	156.525	156.525	Safety	Digital Selective Calling.
71	71	156.575	156.575	Safety, Intership, Ship/Shore, Ship Movement, Commercial, Non-Commercial	VTS.
72	72	156.625	156.625	Intership, Commercial, Non-Commercial	Intership.
73	73	156.675	156.675	Safety, Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial, Non-Commercial	SAR/Safety Communications between ships and aircraft. Commercial fishing.
74	74	156.725	156.725	Intership, Ship/Shore, Ship Movement, Commercial, Non-Commercial	VTS.
75	75	156.775	156.775	Intership, Ship/Shore, Ship Movement, Commercial	1 watt maximum power. Long Range AIS.
76	76	156.825	156.825	Intership, Ship/Shore, Ship Movement, Commercial	1 watt maximum power. Long Range AIS.
77	77	156.875	156.875	Safety, Intership, Ship/Shore, Ship Movement	Refer to RBR-2.
1078	78A	156.925	156.925	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial	Intership for fishing vessels.
1079	79A	156.975	156.975	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial	Intership for fishing vessels.
1080	80A	157.025	157.025	Intership, Ship/Shore, Commercial	Intership for whale watching.
1081	81A	157.075	157.075	Safety, Intership, Ship/Shore	DFO/CCG liaison.
1082	82A	157.125	157.125	Intership, Ship/Shore	DFO/CCG liaison.
1083	83A	157.175	157.175	Intership, Ship/Shore	DFO/Canadian Coast Guard and other Government agencies.
2083	83B	-	161.775	Safety	CCG CMB. CCG MSI Broadcast.
84	84	157.225	161.825	Ship/Shore, Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence.
85	85	157.275	161.875	Ship/Shore, Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence.
86	86	157.325	161.925	Ship/Shore, Public Correspondence	Public Correspondence.
87	87	157.375	157.375	Intership, Ship Movement, Non-Commercial	Port operations. Ship movement.
88	88	157.425	157.425	Intership, Ship Movement, Non-Commercial	Port operations. Ship movement.
2087	87B	161.975	161.975	AIS	AIS – 1.
2088	88B	162.025	162.025	AIS	AIS – 2.
WX1	WX1	-	162.550	Safety	CCG CMB.
WX2	WX2	-	162.400	Safety	CCG CMB.
WX3	WX3	-	162.475	Safety	CCG CMB.
2006 AMRD	2006 AMRD	160.900	160.900	Experimental AIS	Experimental AIS.

Notes:

Reference VHF:

“A” following a channel number means Simplex Operation on the ship station transmitting frequency.
“B” following a channel number means ship stations receive only on the higher coast station transmission frequency.
ISED will be consulting with all Canadians on the outcome of the WRC-19 before implementing changes to RBR-2 and this table.
ISED RBR-2 Technical Requirements for the Operation of Mobile Stations in the Maritime Service defines the frequencies and use of marine VHF channels in Canada. In case of discrepancies, please refer to RBR-2.
VDES (VHF Data Exchange System): In order to comply with the Final Acts WRC-19, the following channels will become digital use only after January 1, 2030 in Canadian waters: Ch24, Ch25, Ch26, Ch27, Ch28, Ch84, Ch85 and Ch86.

1.3 General Information on MCTS Listings

Transmit and receive frequencies are listed in kHz and MHz, where applicable.
The numbered areas mentioned in the remarks column of centres providing communications and special services are shown on the marine weather forecasts maps, and are listed in detail under the heading “Weather Forecast Areas” in Part 5 of this publication.
Frequencies for which the J3E single sideband modes of emission are shown in the MCTS Centre listings are designated by the carrier frequencies. The assigned frequencies are 1.4 kHz higher than the carrier frequencies listed. (This note also applies to the medium and high radiotelephone frequencies listed in the “Canadian Maritime Mobile Service Safety and Public Correspondence Communication Frequencies”, Section 1.2).

Table 1-3 - Legend for MCTS Acronyms
Abbreviation/Acronym	Explanation
AIS	Automatic Identification System
ASM	Application Specific Messaging
CMB	Continuous Marine Broadcast
DF	Direction Finding
DFO/CCG	Department of Fisheries and Oceans/Canadian Coast Guard
DSC	Digital Selective Calling
F1B	Radioteletype
F3E	Radiotelephony, Frequency Modulation
G2B	Phase modulation, digital information, automatic reception.
H+	This symbol followed by a number indicates minutes past the hour.
HF NBDP	High Frequency Narrow-Band Direct-Printing Telegraphy
J3C	Facsimile – Single-Sideband, Suppressed Carrier
J3E	Radiotelephony – Single-Sideband, Suppressed Carrier
MCTS	Marine Communications and Traffic Services
MMSI	Maritime Mobile Service Identity
MSI	Maritime Safety Information (Weather/Ice/Navigational Warnings)
NAVTEX	Narrow Band Direct Printing telegraphy
NAVWARN	Navigational Warning
RT	Radiotelephony
SC	Ship Control (Canal and Locks Operations)
UTC	Coordinated Universal Time
VDES	VHF Data Exchange System (pending development)
VTS	Vessel Traffic Services

1.4 Telephone/Facsimile/ Telex Directory

Table 1-4 a) MCTS Centre - Telephone/Facsimile/ Telex Directory
MCTS Centre (Call Sign)	Telephone Number	Facsimile Number	Telex Number	Answer Back Code	MMSI
Halifax, NS (VCS) Service available in English and in French.	902-426-9750	902-426-4483	-	-	003160016
Iqaluit, NU (VFF) Service available in English and in French.	867-979-5269 East 867-979-0310 West	867-979-4264	063-15529	NORDREG CDA	003160023
Labrador (Happy Valley-Goose Bay), NL (VOK)	709-896-2252	709-896-8455	-	-	003160022
Les Escoumins, QC (VCF) Service available in English and in French.	418-233-2194	418-233-3299	-	-	003160026
Placentia, NL (VCP)	709-227-2181 709-227-2182	709-227-5637	-	-	003160019
Port aux Basques, NL (VOJ) Service available in English and in French.	709-695-2167	709-695-7784	-	-	003160018
Prescott, ON (VBR) Service available in English and in French.	613-925-4471	613-925-4519	-	-	003160029
Québec, QC (VCC) Service available in English and in French.	418-648-4427	418-648-7244	-	-	003160027
Sarnia, ON (VBE)	519-336-4003	519-336-0229	-	-	003160030
Sydney, NS (VCO) Service available in English and in French.	902-564-7751 1-800-686-8676	902-564-7662	-	-	003160017
Prince Rupert, BC (VAJ)	250-627-3070	250-624-9075	-	-	003160013
Victoria, BC (VAK)	250-363-6333	250-363-6556	-	-	003160011

Table 1-4 b) Eastern VTS (formerly ECAREG Canada) - Telephone/Facsimile/ Telex Directory
Eastern VTS	Telephone Number	Facsimile Number	Telex Number	Answer Back Code	MMSI
Halifax, NS Service available in English and in French.	902-426-4956	902-426-4483	-	-	-
Les Escoumins, QC Service available in English and in French.	418-233-3483	418-233-3299	-	-	-

Table 1-4 c) Northern VTS (formerly NORDREG Canada) - Telephone/Facsimile/ Telex Directory
Northern VTS	Telephone Number	Facsimile Number	Telex Number	Answer Back Code	MMSI
Iqaluit, NU Operational from approximately mid-May until mid-December. Service available in English and in French.	867-979-5724	867-979-4264	063-15529	NORDREG CDA	003160023
Les Escoumins, QC Operational from approximately mid-December until mid-May. Service available in English and in French.	418-233-3483	418-233-3299	063-15529	NORDREG CDA	-

Table 1-4 d) Western VTS (formerly VTS Offshore) - Telephone/Facsimile/ Telex Directory
Western VTS	Telephone Number	Facsimile Number	Telex Number	Answer Back Code	MMSI
Prince Rupert, BC	250-627-3071	-	-	-	-

Table 1-4 e) NAVAREA XVII and XVIII - Telephone/Facsimile/ Telex Directory
NAVAREA XVII and XVIII	Telephone Number	Facsimile Number	Telex Number	Answer Back Code	MMSI
Iqaluit Operational from approximately mid-May until mid-December.	867-979-5724	867-979-4264	-	-	-
Prescott, ON Service available in English and in French.	613-925-0666	613-925-4519	-	-	-

1.5 Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC)/Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC)

JRCC Halifax, Nova Scotia

Service available in English and in French

Telephone:

1-800-565-1582 Maritimes Region
1-800-563-2444 Newfoundland & Labrador Region
902-427-8200 Satellite, Local or Out of Area

Facsimile: 902-427-2114

Email: jrcchalifax@sarnet.dnd.ca

MRSC St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

Telephone:

1-800-563-2444 Newfoundland and Labrador Region
709-772-5151 Satellite, Local or Out of Area

Facsimile: 709-772-2224

Email: mrscsj@sarnet.dnd.ca

MRSC Québec, Quebec

Service available in English and in French

Telephone:

1-800-463-4393 Québec Region
418-648-3599 Satellite, Local or Out of Area

Facsimile: 418-648-3614

Email: mrscqbc@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

JRCC Trenton, Ontario

Telephone:

1-800-267-7270 In Canada
613-965-3870 Satellite, Local or Out of Area

Facsimile: 613-965-7279

Email: jrcctrenton@sarnet.dnd.ca

JRCC Victoria, British Columbia

Telephone:

1-800-567-5111 British Columbia and Yukon
250-413-8933 Satellite, Local or Out of Area
#727 Cellular (#SAR)

Email: jrccvictoria@sarnet.dnd.ca

1.6 Icebreaking Services

The following Ice centres may be contacted for information on ice navigation:

Ice Atlantic (Operating from end of November to mid-June)

Canadian Coast Guard Ice Operations Centre
P.O. Box 5667
St. John’s NL A1C 5X1

Telephone: 709-772-2078
1-800-565-1633 (option 7)

Email: Iceatl.cggc@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Ice conditions

ssgatlantique-issatlantic@ec.gc.ca

Ice Central (Arctic, Great Lakes, and St. Lawrence sectors)

Canadian Coast Guard Ice Operations Centre
105 McGill Street, 5th floor
Montréal, QC H2Y 2E7

Arctic Sector (Operating from mid-June to late November)

Telephone: 514-283-2784

Email: dfo.ccgIceOpsArctic-OpsGlaceArcticgcc.mpo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Arctic Ice conditions

Telephone: 514-283-1752
514-283-2069

Email: ssgarctique-issarctic@ec.gc.ca

Great Lakes Sector (Operating from mid-December to mid-April)

Telephone: 514-283-2784

Email: dfo.ccgCentralIceOpsGreatLakes-GrandsLacsOpsglacesCentregcc.mpo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Great Lakes Ice conditions

Telephone: 514-283-1752
514-283-2069

Email: ssggrandslacs-issgreatlakes@ec.gc.ca

St. Lawrence Sector (Operating from mid-December to late April)

Telephone: 514-283-1746

Email: dfo.ccgCentralIceOpsStLawrence-StLaurentOpsGlacesCentregcc.mpo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

St. Lawrence Ice conditions

Telephone: 514-283-1752
514-283-2069

Email: ssgstlaurent-issstlawrence@ec.gc.ca

1.7 Regional Office Addresses

Atlantic Region

Service available in English and in French.

Regional Superintendent
Marine Communications and Traffic Services
Canadian Coast Guard
P.O. Box 1000
Dartmouth NS B2Y 3Z8

Telephone: 902-456-4761

Arctic Region

Service available in English.

Regional Superintendent
Marine Communications and Traffic Services
Canadian Coast Guard
301-5204 50th Avenue
Yellowknife, NT X1A 1E2

Telephone: 867-444-0109

Central Region

Service available in English and in French

Regional Superintendent
Marine Communications and Traffic Services
Canadian Coast Guard
1550 Avenue D’Estimauville
Québec, QC G1J 5E9

Telephone: 418-648-5522
Facsimile: 418-648-4877

Western Region

Regional Superintendent
Marine Communications and Traffic Services
Canadian Coast Guard
Institute of Ocean Sciences
9860 West Saanich Road
Sidney BC V8L 5T5

Telephone: 250-363-8904 (Regional Administrative Assistant)

Email: mcts@dfo-mpo.gc.ca