We are offering this course especially for kayakers who would like to make their VHF use legal, but it is open to everyone, even boaters who already have their certificate but who would like a refresher on the procedures and channels to use.

Lionel will bring VHF radios for hands-on experience.

Lionel will teach the course in the morning, 09:00 to 11:30, then after lunch, those who wish to write the exam can do so. So the whole thing is done in one day.

The exam has 60 multiple choice questions; a score of at least 70% is required to pass. The exam costs $70 (price set by Industry Canada), for those who wish to get the certificate.  The certificate is good for life.

There is a study manual, which is optional. It also costs $70 (price set by Industry Canada), however it has not changed, so you may be able to find a used one or borrow one. It is not necessary since the course will go over the material.

The Table of Contents is here:

Click to access MaritimeRadio_TOC.pdf

There are two modules.

1. VHF usage
The uses of marine radios, choice of frequencies, operation, phonetic alphabet, procedural words and phrases.

2. Global Maritime Distress and Safety System Introduction (GMDSS)
Digital Selective Calling (DSC), Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPRIBs), Search and Rescue Transponders (SARTs), and other safety related additions to VHF.

It’s good to learn the phonetic alphabet and get some practice using it:
http://boating.ncf.ca/phonetic.html

Anybody using a VHF should know the proper way to do it. This course will teach you that, even if you don’t want to take the exam.