Levels of Service Review - 2007
Marine Communications and Traffic Services

Follow-up

• Make sure that ships positions provided by AIS are available off Canadian waters.
  

  Actions taken :

• The implementation of the Automatic Identification System (AIS) in canadian waters is in progress The complete coverage of Canadian waters, except Canadian Arctic waters will be finalized in March 2010.
  

• Facilitate access to the INNAV system because user restrictions raise much dissatisfaction.

• Add the ice charts, tides, current and weather information to the INNAV system so as to have all this data on a single page.

  Actions taken :

• For security reasons, the INNAV system user account is associated to the user's personal computer. Nevertheless, if the client uses more than one PC (one for the office and a laptop when traveling), it is possible to obtain more than one INNAV system acount by contacting the INNAV Service Desk. Follow the instructions provided on the INNAV Internet site home page.
  

• Reduce delays in advising the St. Lawrence Seaway ship inspectors, when required, particularly at night and during weekends.

  Actions taken :
  

• The assignment of Ship inspectors for vessels reported defective is the responsibility of the Transport Canada on duty ship inspector. This request has to be addressed to Transports Canada Marine Safety Program.

• Record all communications when the Warning and Alerting Network is initiated.

• Initiate the Warning and Alerting Network without delay, although all relevant information might not be known.

  Actions taken :
  

• All operational communications (radio and telephone) are recorded.
  MCTS Management has taken actions to enhance the MCTS officers sensibilisation to the importance of being vigilant and request all necessary and pertinent information when marine in idents occur, in order to properly assess the situation and have a complete image of the event.

• Better inform recreational boaters on VHF communications procedures and raise their awarness on the importance of reporting (sail plan) to MCTS centers.
  

  Actions taken :
  

• This item is under the responsibility of Transports Canada Office of Boating Safety.
  MCTS strongly suggests boaters to open a sail plan with related persons. It is noted that opening a sail plan with a Coast Guard MCTS Centre should be done when no other resources are available.

• Allow fishers who are members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary to transmit their availability plan to SAR when they are out fishing.
  

  Actions taken :

• All members availability lists provided by the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary to MCTS centers are automatically transmitted to the Coast Guard Search and Rescue centre, wether they are fishers, boaters or others.

• Improve the VHF coverage on Lake St-Francis and the Richelieu River. Boaters using low power equipment cannot contact MCTS centres in case of emergency.
  
  Actions taken :

• A VHF coverage study will be realized to determine coverage gaps and requirements in the complete VHF coverage zone.
  
  

• Improve the VHF coverage in the Estuary, particularly between Baie-Comeau and Tadoussac and in certain coves along the North shore of Gaspesie, such as Grande-Vallée.
  
  Actions taken :

• Forthcoming...
  
  

• Restore the Radio Station services in Îles-de-la-Madeleine. VHF coverage is only good around the islands, causing communication problems particularly during adverse weather conditions.

  Actions taken :

• The Fox River MCTS Centre offers the same radio coverage and the same level of service as the Iles-de-la-Madeleine Radio Station. A satellite link between Fox River and Cap-aux-Meules remote site allows this site to act as backup for channel 16 if an outage occurs on the telephone lines between Iles-de-la-Madeleine and the continent.
  
  

• Relocate or add a new repeater on Lower North-Shore in order to improve the radio communications.  VHF coverage is broken in the area of Saint-Augustin and mariners must communicate with CBs. Also, VHF signals from remote equipment located in Newfoundland can only be received in Blanc-Sablon.
  

  Actions taken :

• Forthcoming...
  
  

• Install repeaters in the Arctic, along the Koksoak River. Mariners (especially fishers) cannot establish VHF contact with the Canadian Coast Guard and must be equipped with CBs.
  

  Actions taken :

• Forthcoming...