Do people play it "by the rules" in Canada?

[FlyMeAway]

Another thread/question had my thinking: do most of the US-flagged boaters/owners here play it "by the rules" in Canada for radio use? (same with Canadian boaters coming to the US)

That is, Ship's Station License with FCC MMSI and Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Permit vs. BoatUS MMSI and unlicensed operation?

ETA: I realize the initial post was unclear that I'm talking about US-flagged vessels going into Canada.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Recreational vessels do not need a station licence in Canada. You do need a restricted operators licence to use the VHF radio. Most comply. You can tell the ones that don’t by the use of CB lingo. Not sure how many have an MMSI number.

 

[FlyMeAway]

Recreational vessels do not need a station licence in Canada

Foreign-flagged recreational vessels do require a station license in Canada if they are docking in Canadian ports or making contact with Canadian shore stations (and a Canadian station license is required to do the same if you take a Canadian-flagged vessel to the US).

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Rules state...
After April 1999, VHF Radios on pleasure boats are no longer 'required' to have a ship station licence within Canadian waters due to changes to the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Radiocommunications Regulations (Section 15.2 Exemption of Radio Apparatus on Board a Ship). (You do not need a ship licence or operator certificate to use FRS or CB radios on a boat.)

Exemptions only apply in Canadian and International waters.
If there is any chance you may enter U.S. waters, you should have a ship station licence. International regulations state that without a reciprocal agreement between countries, you must have a licence from your home country when venturing outside of your home waters. If you plan to leave Canada, apply for a radio licence well in advance of leaving. (Search for Application for a Maritime Mobile Radio Station Licence (IC-3020) from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada in our government directory.) {July 2011}

So... US boats should have a US station licence, and I think this is needed in the US anyway. You do not need to use you station call sign when using the radio, rather you should use you boat name as this is normally what is used if you file a float plan with Canadian coast guard. And it helps other boats identify you.

 

[FlyMeAway]

John, the US has the same rules as Canada: No ships station license required for operation domestically (e.g., a Canadian pleasure boat in Canadian waters, a US pleasure boat in US waters), but once you cross the border you're required to have a ships station license (of your own country) for foreign operation.

I think we are agreeing with one another?

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Sounds correct. But I don’t know for sure how many Americans in the waters I cruise have a station licence. You are not required to use it when taking to Canadian coast guard. In fact I don’t know any time the coast guard has asked a boater for their country of origin. Perhaps that would occur if the local marine police do a boat check. At least that is my experience around the Great Lakes, may be different in the coastal areas.

 

[knotflying]

Been to Canada several times. I do not have a license and have never been incarcerated. :lol:

 

[Chimo]

I took the course, passed the test and have a restricted operator’s certificate. Since I do travel, in normal times, to the USA I have a station license for the boat. When I was boarded for inspection as I crossed the border on one occasion I offered both to the officer along with my registration, Nexus card etc. The officer looked at the radio documents and thanked me for respecting the regulations. I’m sure most US guests in Canadian waters respect the privilege and have a station license.

 

[FlyMeAway]

I took the course, passed the test and have a restricted operator’s certificate.

Fortunately, in the US at least you don't need to take a course for a restricted radio operators license (at least, not when I got mine 10 years ago).

Been to Canada several times. I do not have a license and have never been incarcerated.

It isn't criminal, it is a (potentially) many thousand dollar fine. I have met two boaters who (at least claim they were) fined: one was a sailor who had to issue a mayday crossing the Strait of Georgia in heavy weather (and was rescued by the Canadian Coast Guard), and another was in an at-fault collision somewhere in Nova Scotia and they threw the book at him because he was drunk.

I haven't heard of anybody being checked while crossing, which is why I wanted to know if most folks play by the rules or not. I imagine it only becomes an issue if you're in an actual emergency and need rescue (plus, having an FCC MMSI vs. a BoatUS MMSI can help coordinate rescue). Mostly I'm curious -- just paid the FCC their $220 for a new boat and wondering if it was worth it.

 

[scross]

We have Nexus and like just calling in on the cell phone for clearance after entering Canadian waters. We go right to our first Canadian destination, typically Ganges BC, without any other checks.
The Canadians have all of our boats information including the FCC issued MMSI number n their system. I have occasionally been asked to state our MMSI as part of identity confirmation. Don’t know if you could do that with a BoatUS issued MMSI number or not.
We have been inspected several times in the US with full documentation checks for compliance but not yet in Canada by border patrol. I assume it’s just a matter of time before that happens - post COVID of course.

 

[Karll]

Since I have free cellular in Canada I usually use my cell phone but would like to be in compliance. I have moved my MMSI number from the previous owners boat name to the new name we have for our R29 through BoatUS and plan to have a Garmin rep change it on the radio itself so it appears on the screen when in the water. How do I go about obtaining a station license?

 

[FlyMeAway]

Since I have free cellular in Canada I usually use my cell phone but would like to be in compliance. I have moved my MMSI number from the previous owners boat name to the new name we have for our R29 through BoatUS and plan to have a Garmin rep change it on the radio itself so it appears on the screen when in the water. How do I go about obtaining a station license?

During the process of obtaining a Ship's Station License, you will need to also get a new MMSI (my understanding is that you cannot transfer one obtained through BoatUS). I don't know if Garmin gear allows the user to reprogram the MMSI (icom for example does not, but I've heard Standard Horizon allows for a limited number of MMSIs reprogrammed by the user), as the prior owner of our boat did not program any MMSI so wasn't a problem for us. If not, the Garmin rep who is reprogramming the name should also be able to reprogram the MMSI (I didn't know that our boats had names programmed, or is this only if you get an AIS transponder vs. receiver only?).

To get a Ship's Station License, you have to register with the FCC licensing system to receive an FRN (kind of like an FCC account number): https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do

Once you've received an FCC account number, you can log in the licensing system (https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/licManager/login.jsp) and apply for a license (Ship's Station License). If you want to be fully in compliance you will also need a Restricted Radiotelephone Operators Permit, which you can get with the same interface. The Ship's Station License is good for 10 years and is tied to your hull # but is transferable to new owners; it costs $220. The Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit is good for life, and I think it's something like $70-120 (it was $65 when I got mine, but prices have gone up and I don't know by how much).