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The "Titanic" disaster of April 14-15, 1912, made clear the need for vessels to maintain watch for vessels in distress. (following a collision with an iceberg, the ocean liner "Titanic" sent out radio distress messages and fired white rockets. The Leyland liner "Californian", which was less than 20 miles (32 kilometres) away all night, could have aided the stricken vessel, (had its radio operator been on duty), and had its crewmen recognized the rockets they saw, as distress signals.
Today, all Pleasure Craft Operators must be able to recognize, and use International Signals adopted to indicate distress & the need for assistance, as described in the Collision Regulations.
The Canadian Coast Guard monitors VHF Radio channel 16, twenty four hours a day. Also, many pleasure craft operators monitor VHF Radio, at least during daylight hours. Unlike a cell-phone, where communications are private, a distress call broadcast over a radio may be heard by nearby boaters. This makes a VHF Radio one of the best means of getting help quickly.
The Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons have developed a Radio Seminar that they deliver to the public on behalf of Industry Canada. It will teach you how to correctly use your marine radio. Law requires VHF Radio users to have a Restricted Radio Operator Certificate, (ROC). Many boaters don't, and it's a problem, especially when the Coast Guard is trying to communicate with someone in trouble. Police are therefore stepping up enforcement of the Radio Communications Regulations. Fines start at $100.
Using a VHF Marine Radio: (16 is the Distress, Safety and Calling Channel)
If you are in immediate or imminent danger, broadcast the word Mayday three times, describe your vessel, say how many people are onboard, your position and nature of distress. Example; "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, This is Summer Song, a 36 foot white Trojan with 2 people onboard, struck a rock at Frazer Bank, taking on water".
Remember to release the microphone button, when you are waiting for a reply! Say all again if there is no answer the first time.
If you are not in immediate danger, (perhaps a breakdown, or out of fuel), broadcast the word Panpan on VHF radio (channel 16), three times, describe your vessel, the number of people onboard, your position and nature of your urgency. Say all again if no reply the first time.
Example; "Panpan, Panpan, Panpan, This is Summer Song, a 28 foot Bayliner with 2 people onboard, one half mile north of Midland, engine failure. Require a tow."
In a growing number of areas, the Canadian Coast Guard may be reached in an emergency by cellular telephone, simply dial *16. But remember, when you call for help on a cell-phone, you don't have the benefit of alerting perhaps a nearby boater(s), which just might happen to be in the best position to help! Take the Radio Course, and get a VHF radio - even if it's just a hand-held portable. Be sure to keep your radio on, whenever you're underway. You may be able to hear a call for help that others don't.
Canadian Marinas (if VHF radio equipped) monitor channel 68 during regular business hours.
OBL Service Craft provide 24 hour towing assistance on SE Georgian Bay, May 1 - Thanksgiving. (705) 528-9927
Important Footnote! Severn Sound Georgian Bay, does have a few "dead zones" on it (regarding VHF Radio Communications between pleasure craft operators and the Canadian Coast Guard). Gary Pickering has a web-site http:www.letsgoboat.com dedicated to the greater enjoyment of boating on Georgian Bay and is spearheading an initiative to solve this problem. You can read more about this issue by visiting an article published in the local paper.
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