Korean Register

Port Rule Information

Communication Guidance on VHF Communication Unavailability in Canadian Waters.

Registration date : 2025.11.07 Views : 119

1. Applicable vessel : all vessels(foreign and domestic) navigating in Canadian waters

2. Background

VHF channels 24, 25, 26, 84, 85, and 86 currently used in Canadian waters will be updated to VDES equipment–only digital channels effective 1 January 2030. However, some VHF manufacturers have already removing or disabling these analog channels from the “International mode” on shipboard radios, resulting in an increasing number of cases where communication between vessels and the Canadian Coast Guard’s Marine Communications and Traffic Services(MCTS) is not possible.

These channels are still available when radios are set to Canadian or U.S. mode, and all vessels navigating in Canadian waters must use these channels to communicate with MCTS and to comply with Canadian regulations.

3. Guidance

Before entering Canadian waters, verify that VHF channels 24, 25, 26, 84, 85, and 86 are available to prevent communication issues.

If these channels are not available in international mode, check whether they can be accessed in Canadian mode or U.S. mode, and ensure that the vessel’s crew is familiar with how to switch between “International,” “Canadian,” and “U.S.” modes as necessary.

Shipowners and operators are kindly requested to review the information above and refer to the attachment for further details.

Convention & Legislation Service Team

Statutory Division

Korean Register

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