Maritime service

The maritime service is an internationally allocated radio service providing for the safety of life and property at sea and on inland waterways. The maritime service helps ensure safe navigation by ships (and other vessels) through radio operations such as ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore messaging.

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maritime service

Overview of the maritime service

Maritime radiocommunication is used in the transportation, commercial fishing, leisure sailing and natural resources sectors, among others. Examples of licence holders include Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Canadian Coast Guard), and individuals and organizations that wish to use radio frequencies to communicate with other marine vessels or coast stations.

There are two types of marine radio stations:

    • Maritime Base
    • Maritime Base or Coast Station is defined as a fixed station that operates on land in the maritime service.
    • Maritime Mobile
    • Maritime Mobile or Ship Station is defined as a mobile station, including a hand-held radio that is installed or operates on board a ship or vessel, within the maritime service.

Together, shipboard and land stations in the maritime services are meant to serve the needs of the entire maritime community. In Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) regulates spectrum allocation, while Transport Canada, with the help of the Canadian Coast Guard, regulates operational requirements. As there are different types of vessels and different areas in which some may travel (such as in international waters or within the Canadian territory), different regulations are involved.

Operating a radio on maritime service frequencies means you also require a Radio Operator Certificate. As there are different types of certificates depending on the circumstance of its use, we recommend that you consult Radio operator certificates for additional information.

Note: Transport Canada also has a requirement that boat operators demonstrate their boating safety knowledge by obtaining a proof of competency. See Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) for more information.

Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) and Maritime Identity (MI)

In an emergency situation on the water, the identification of a vessel is crucial. Therefore, to ensure the safety of individuals and vessels on the water, ISED issues identity numbers for digital maritime radios. Each is a nine-digit number, similar to a cell phone number, and there are two general types:

    • Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI)
    • Your MMSI identifies your vessel or boat. The MMSI is programmed into your digital maritime radio, and is used to contact other vessels (such as boats) and coast stations directly, and may also send a signal for help in an emergency.
    • Maritime Identity (MI)
    • Your MI identifies you as an individual. The MI is programmed into your personal portable maritime radio and is not associated with a specific vessel (such as a boat). Like an MMSI, it’s used to communicate with other vessels, boats and coast stations, and may also send a signal for help in an emergency

For more information, see: CPC-2-3-07 — Obtaining Identities in the Maritime Mobile Service

To apply for an MMSI and an MI, go to: Maritime Mobile Service Identities

Ready to get started?

Use the following options to apply for or manage a radio licence in the Spectrum Management System (SMS).

Apply

Apply for a maritime radio licence.

Manage

Modify or cancel a maritime radio licence.

Not sure how to proceed?

Our interactive questionnaire will help you determine how to proceed with your application for a radio licence.

Start questionnaire
 

1. Do both of the following criteria apply to your licence request?

      •    the boat or vessel in this licence request will be operated only in the sovereign waters of Canada

      •    the radio equipment on board the boat or vessel is only capable of operating on frequencies that are allocated for maritime mobile communications or maritime radio navigation (verify whether the frequencies you will use are in the maritime mobile band by referring to RBR-2 — Technical Requirements for the Operation of Mobile Stations in the Maritime Service)

If so, an exemption may apply. Note that other criteria could also result in an exemption applying. Refer to section 15.2 of the Radiocommunication Regulations for the full text of the exemption.

Licensing exemptions for ship radio stations

You do not require a licence if the boat or vessel is only operated in Canadian waters, and the radio equipment on board the vessel is only capable of operating on frequencies allocated for maritime mobile communications or marine radio navigation.

See Exemptions for more information. See also Maritime Mobile Service Identities to learn why MMSIs are important.

Note: You need a Radio Operator Certificate to operate a radio on board a marine vessel. Learn more at Radio operator certificates.

You require a licence for a Maritime Base station

Click the button below to apply for a licence.

Note that you must have previously registered before using the Spectrum Management System (SMS). If you have not done so already, Register to use the SMS to get your Web Profile.

To learn more about radio licences, consult our Radio licensing page.

See How to apply for a radio licence for information on how to apply for a licence.

Apply for: Maritime Base

Be informed

ISED has published several procedures, policies and standards that apply to licensing. Consult our Official Publications page to see if there is additional information that could be relevant to you.

We also have a Spectrum Allocation Tool you can use to find information about specific bands or frequency range like those in the Maritime service.

You require a licence for a Maritime Vessel station

Click the button below to apply for a licence.

Note that you must have previously registered before using the Spectrum Management System (SMS). If you have not done so already, Register to use the SMS to get your Web Profile.

To learn more about radio licences, consult our Radio licensing page. See also Maritime Mobile Service Identities to learn why MMSIs are important.

Note: You need a Radio Operator Certificate to operate a radio on board a marine vessel. Learn more at Radio operator certificates.

See How to apply for a radio licence for information on how to apply for a licence.

Apply for: Maritime Vessel

Be informed

ISED has published several procedures, policies and standards that apply to licensing. Consult our Official Publications page to see if there is additional information that could be relevant to you.

Contact ISED

We recommend that you contact your local Spectrum Management District Office to discuss your application.

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