VHF Marine Radio Working Channels

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Read our VHF page before using this summary chart. Original data is in RBR-2: Technical Requirements for the operation of Mobile Stations in the Maritime Service issued by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Spectrum Management.

X you may use the channel in that particular region. PC=Pacific coast, WA=West Arctic, Athabasca-Mackenzie, PR=Prairie Provinces, LW=Lake Winnipeg, Red River, EA=Eastern Arctic, GL=Great Lakes, NL=Newfoundland & Labrador, AC=Atlantic Coast. A=U.S. mode. B=International mode (Canada)

Channel PC WA PR LW EA GL NL AC Canadian Usage
06 Primary working channel - all regions
09 Working channel Pacific Region
10           X   X Ship movement, Search & Rescue
11 X         X   X Ship movement, Pilotage, Victoria VTS
12 X X       X   X Port Operations, SM, Vancouver VTS
13 X X X X X X X X Bridge-to-bridge (hail ships);
Great Lakes navigation safety (1watt)
14           X   X Port Operations
15 X X     X X X X 1 Watt only, EPIRB buoy
16 ONLY for emergency and calling - all regions
17 X X     X X X X 1 Watt only, Pilotage
18A                 Victoria, B.C. Port Operations
22A X X X X X X X Calling Canadian Coast Guard
65A     X           Great Lakes SAR, MARBs, Pollution
66A X               Calling B.C. marinas
67 X X X X          
68 Primary working channel - all regions
  X X X X X X X Calling marinas
69 X X X X          
71 *       X X X X Intership only, *Comox VTS only
72 X               Pacific Region
73 X X X X         (B.C. marinas now use 66A)
74 X       X X X X SM, Victoria/Fraser/Tofino VTS
83A X Calling Coast Guard in B.C. (2007)
Channel PC WA PR LW EA GL NL AC Canadian Usage
U.S. Channel Usage in U.S. waters
16 Calling, Distress, and Safety
09 Calling
 68, 69, 71, 72, 78 Recreational use
24-28, 84-87 Marine Operator
13 Locks, canals, bridges, pilots
66 Calling Pacific marinas
70 DSC (Digital Selective Calling) only