MMS L1

Small Craft Operator Program

Small Craft Operator Program

•Consists of five modules

• Module 1 – Boating Safety (PCOC)

• Transport Canada mandated

• Module 2 – Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime)

• Program managed by Canadian Sail and Power Squadron

• Module 3 – Basic Powerboat
• Module 4 – Powerboat Rescue

• Sail and Canoe Modules

• Module 5 – Whaler

• Includes power, sail and oars

Small Craft Operator Program
Module 2 – Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime)

Refs: RIC-22 (Available Online)

RIC-23 (CPS)

ACP-125(G)

The ROC(M) Course

•Follows strict guidelines and testing that is set
out by the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons

•Like the SCOP Module 1 (PCOC) course, if you are
successful, you will earn a certification

What do I have to do to earn my ROC(M) ?

•To earn your ROC(M), you will have to pass both a:

•written, and
•practical test.

• If you pass the written but don’t pass the practical test, you will

only have to redo the practical test, not both.

Topics we will be covering in the course include …

• Section 1 - Maritime Mobile Service
• Section 2 – Procedures
• Section 3 – GMDSS
• Section 4 – Digital Selective Calling

Radios

• Section 5 – Routine

Communications

• Section 6 – Distress Communications
• Section 7 – Urgency Communications
• Section 8 – Safety Communications
• Section 9 – Other GMDSS Equipment
• Section 10 – Additional Information

Multiple Choice

What does ROC(M) stand for?

• Recognized Operator Certificate (Maritime)

• Restricted Operator Certificate (Marine)

• Recognized Operator Course (Marine)

• Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime)

Module 2 – Restricted
Operator Certificate (Maritime)

Section 1 - Describe the Maritime Mobile Service

In this lesson we will be looking at

•Maritime Mobile Service (MMS)
•ROC(M)
•Radio Station Licence
•Radio Station Requirements
•Governing Authorities
•Secrecy of Communications
•International Distress, Safety and Calling Frequencies
•Propagation and Range of Signal

What is the Maritime Mobile Service (MMS)?

•The telecommunications service used by all vessels worldwide
•It includes all Marine radiotelephone and digital communication on VHF / Medium Frequency (MF) / High Frequency (HF) bands in Canada including:

Ship to Ship

(Mobile)

Ship to Coast Stations

Multiple Choice

What does MMS stand for?

• Marine Mobile System

• Marine Mobile Services

• Maritime Mobile Service

• Maritime Mobile System

Multiple Choice

Marine VHF Radio operates from

• 156-174Mhz

• 156-174Khz

• 8000-9000Mhz

• 30-40Khz

What do I need to operate a marine radio?

•A ROC (M)

•It is valid for the lifetime of the
holder (it never expires)

Note: Anyone operating a radio in Canadian waters from a
foreign country must obey the regulations of their own country.

What do they mean by “Operating a Marine Radio”?

•As soon as you turn the radio on,

•You are operating it
•You need a ROC(M) to do so

•Operating any marine radio without a license can cost you a fine up to
$ 5000 / 12 months in jail.

When do you need a ROC(M)?

•When operating a VHF, MF and HFMarine Band radio on a voluntarily
fitted vessel

•Voluntary fitted vessels include:

•Pleasure craft
•Fishing craft less than 8 m in length
•Naval vessels
•Tug boats operating in restricted waters

Who does not need a ROC(M)?

•Compulsory Fitted Vessels (all commercial vessels) including:

• Ocean going vessels
• Passenger carrying vessels certified to carry more than 12 passengers
• Coastal freighters
• Icebreakers
• Tow Boats
• Vessels greater than 8 m in length

•Operators will normally require a ROC(MC)

• ROC(MC) = Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime Commercial)

Multiple Select

Who does NOT need an ROC(M)

• Ocean going vessels

• Passenger carrying vessels

• Coastal Freighters

• Icebreakers

• All of the above

What you need to know about a Radio Station License

•All radio stations must have a radio station license:

•Issued by Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Canada-Spectrum Management (ICSM)
•Equipment that meets Industry Canada approval

• approved radios have a 9 digit number on the back

•Is good for one year (renewed annually)
•Must be posted in a visible spot near the radio

Mobile Station

•A Marine Band radio installed on a vessel becomes a mobile station

Can any coast station use the MMS?

•Coast stations authorized to use the MMS include:

•Canadian Coast Guard Radio Stations (including VTMS)
•Search and Rescue Land Facilities

•St. Lawrence Seaway Corporation

•In some instances one working frequency may be allotted to:

•Shipping Companies
•Lock Operators
•Bridge Operators
•Marinas

What information is found on the radio station license?

•The call sign of the station.

•Frequencies to be used.

•Type of radio equipment.

•Special conditions under which the
station shall be operated.

Are there fines for not having a radio station license?

•Yes

•Any person who establishes a station without a licence is liable for:

•Fines up to $5,000.00 and / or
•Up to 12 months imprisonment (jail)

•Any corporation who establishes a radio station without a license
may be liable for

•Fines up to $25,000.00

Radio Station Exemptions

•In order to be exempt from
requiring a radio station license a
vessel must be both:

•Operating in Canada
•Radio equipment is only
capable of operating using the
frequencies listed in RBR-2
including SSB frequencies

•Exemption also applies to

•Vessels owned or operated by
the Canadian government or
a provincial government
•Commercial operations
•Safety services
•Passenger ships or vessels
•Compulsorily fitted vessels
with radar and/or Automated
Identification Systems (AIS)

Who govern/oversees radio regulations and procedures?

•Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – Spectrum
Management (IC-SM)
•International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
•Canadian Coast Guard (CCG)
•International Maritime Organization (IMO)

What is the radio station required to do?

•Compulsory equipped vessels:

•Keep a radio log
•Continuously watch 156.8 MHZ/Channel 16 while at on
international voyages at sea
•Begin radio watch 15 minutes before departure and continue until
back at anchor
•Maintain radio silence periods

• 3 minute periods starting on the hour and on the ½ hour. This does not

apply to vessels equipped only with VHF

What is the radio station required to do?

•Voluntarily equipped vessels:

•Encouraged to maintain a radio log but this is not mandatory

•Not required to maintain a radio watch during radio silence
periods

What documents must radio stations carry?

•Canadian ship stations that are voluntarily fitted with a Marine Band
radio must carry:

•Ship Station License(unless exempt)
•ROC(M)(for each user)

•They should also carry:

•Canadian Radio Aids to Navigation
•Radio operating and maintenance manuals

Who can inspect my radio equipment?

• Spectrum Management Officers

must be given assistance and may,
at any reasonable time, inspect any
vessel fitted with radio equipment

• Police or peace officers can request

to see documentation but are not
qualified to inspect radio
equipment

Secrecy and Radio Communication

•You will hear other people’s private conversations over the radio
•No one can prevent you from overhearing them however, you should
be aware that:

•Using a radio is a privilege
•Everyone is expected to respect each other’s privacy and not
repeat what they hear on the radio
•You can be fined or go to jail for repeating private conversations
that you hear on the marine radio

Are there any times when you can repeat what you
hear?
•Yes, in cases where the message is one of the following:

Distress

Urgency

Safety

All

Stations

International Distress, Safety and Calling Frequencies

•Are used for initial contact and replies to establish communication

•Then switch to a working channel for regular communication

•Avoid excessive calling on these frequencies

What are the International Distress, Safety and Calling
Frequencies?

Voice
•VHF 156.8 MHz - Channel 16
•MF 2182 kHz

Digital Selective Calling (DSC)
•VHF 156.525 MHz - Channel 70
•MF 2187.5 kHz

*16 on a cell phone to Coast Guard Marine
Communications and Traffic Services (where
available)

What is the Propagation & Range of Signal?

•Propagation – how far the radio waves spread

•VHF communication is generally limited to line of sight and is limited
by land masses

•A vessel with a 25 watt transmitter and good antenna may have a
range of 20 nautical miles (~37 km)

What is the Propagation & Range of Signal?

What is the Propagation & Range of Signal?

•Maximum VHF transmitter output is 25 watts (maximum power
authorized)

•When contacting a station in close proximity power should be set to 1
watt

Handheld Radios

•Portable VHF radio are useful as a backup to the fixed
radio
•Typical handheld has a helical or “rubber duck”
antenna
•Limited to a maximum of 6 watts of output power
•Must be certified to use in Canada

What about radio frequency exposure?

•Partnership between Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Canada (IC) and Health Canada
•Ensure the general public is protected from the potential harmful
effects of radio frequency (RF) fields
•Health Canada’s position is that RF exposure levels within the limits
set in Safety Code 6 (2015) do not cause adverse health effects
•Manufactures are responsible for providing proper instructions to the
user of radio device

The antenna and why it is important?

•The antenna transmits the radio waves that are received by
other ships or shore stations
•You are allowed to install it yourself but you can get a
professional to do it
•The higher the better (for propagation)
•MF/HF antennas should be out of reach of passengers, crew or
animals
•Poor connection or damaged transmission cable can seriously
reduce the signal strength.

Quizizz Time

Multiple Select

What does the radio operator of any Canadian ship station voluntarily fitted with a radiotelephone must carry on board? (select all that apply)

• A Ship Station Licence

• A Radio Operators Certificate

• The current edition of Canadian Radio Aids to Marine Navigation

• An Instruction Manual for the radio equipment in use

Multiple Choice

When not in communication with another station, the recommended procedure is to:

• Listen to the Coast Guard on Channel 22

• Make a call to ALL STATIONS advising that you are standing by on Channel 16

• Turn off your radio to conserve the batteries

• Maintain a listening watch on Channel 16

Multiple Choice

The contents of any transmission received or intercepted by a radio station should not be divulged unless:

• The call was made on channel 68

• The call was a ship to ship call

• The call was addressed to ALL STATIONS

• The call was a ship to ship call

Multiple Choice

The international distress, distress and calling frequencies are:

• 156.8 MHz (voice), 2182 kHz (voice)

• 156.525 MHz (digital), 2182 kHz (digital)

• 156.8 MHz (digital), 2187.5 kHz (voice)

• 156.525 MHz (voice), 2187.5 kHz (digital)

Multiple Choice

Vessels fitted with a VHF transmitter of 25 watts output and an efficient antenna, can be expected to operate up to a distance of:

• 28 km (15 NM)

• 37 km (20 NM)

• 85 km (40 NM)

• This is not an authorized transmission power for a radio

Multiple Choice

When is a ROC(M) certificate required?

• Ocean going vessels

• Pleasure Craft

• Tow boats when operating in unrestricted waters

• Passenger carrying vessels certified to carry more than 12 passengers

Multiple Select

What types of messages can you repeat what you hear?

• Safety

• All Stations

• Distress

• Urgency

In this lesson we looked at…

•Maritime Mobile Service (MMS)
•ROC(M)
•Radio Station Licence
•Radio Station Requirements
•Governing Authorities
•Secrecy of Communications
•International Distress, Safety and Calling Frequencies
•Propagation and Range of Signal

Questions?

Restricted Operator’s
Certificate (Maritime) Course

Section 1
Describe the Maritime Mobile Service