Marine Communications and Traffic Services

The Canadian Coast Guard has five Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Centres.

Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centres provide communications and traffic services for the marine community and for the benefit of the public at large. These Centres are responsible for:

• detecting distress situations;
• ensuring timely assistance;
• broadcasting safety information;
• identifying defects and deficiencies in vessels entering Canadian waters;
• providing advice, recommendations and direction to vessel traffic;
• providing, on a cost-recovery basis, the exchange of communications between ships and land-based customers;
• optimizing traffic movements and port efficiency; and,
• facilitating the operations of pilots and the sharing of marine traffic information.

There are five centres across Newfoundland and Labrador, all of which operate 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

Placentia - Located in Argentia, the Placentia centre uses microwave links and telephone lines to transfer information between the centre and remote sites. The centre has extensive radar surveillance and radio communications networks. In addition, audio and video equipment record vessel movements and radio communications.

Remote radar sites include Arnold's Cove, Argentia, and Cuslett. Remote radio sites include Arnold's Cove, Cuslett, Hermitage, Bay L'Argent, Fortune Head, St. Lawrence, Cape Pine and Freshwater Hill.

Annually, the centre responds to more than 60 vessels with defective or deficient equipment, and to more than 120 requests for assistance. It also monitors in excess of 7,700 vessel movements, of which more than 1,100 are tankers.

(709) 227-2181 (24-Hours)

Labrador - Located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the Labrador centre uses microwave links and telephone lines to transfer information between the centre and remote sites. The centre has an extensive radio communications network, and audio equipment records all centre-related communications.

Remote radio sites include Goose Bay, Hopedale, Cartwright and Nain.

Annually, the centre responds to approximately 20 calls for assistance and broadcasts over 3600 Notices to Shipping advising mariners of important information about waterways.

(709) 896-2252 (24-Hours)

St. Anthony - Located in St. Anthony, the centre uses microwave links and telephone lines to transfer information between the centre and remote sites. The centre has an extensive radio communications network and carries out visual surveillance via use of vessel transit strips. In addition, audio equipment records radio communications.

Remote radio sites include St. Anthony, Conche, Comfort Cove, L'Anse aux Meadows, Fox Harbour (Labrador) and Twillingate.

Annually, the centre responds to over 40 calls for assistance and processes more than 120 ship-to-shore radio telephone calls. It also broadcasts approximately 7,800 Notices to Shipping advising mariners of important information about waterways.

(709) 454-3852 (24-Hours)

St. John's - Located in St. John's, the centre uses microwave links and telephone lines to transfer information between the centre and remote sites. The centre has extensive radio communications and visual surveillance networks. In addition, audio and video equipment record vessel movements and radio communications.

Remote radio sites include St. John's, Lumsden, Cape Bonavista and Victoria.

Annually, the centre responds to over 260 calls for assistance. It also monitors in excess of 8,900 vessel movements on the east coast of the province.  In addition, it processes in excess of 5,400 movements or requests from vessels intending to enter, leave, or proceed within Canadian waters.  And, it processes more than 4,000 information reports to other government departments.

(709) 772-2083 (24-Hours)

Port Aux Basques - Located in Port aux Basques, the centre uses microwave links and telephone lines to transfer information between the centre and remote sites. The centre has extensive radio communications and radar surveillance networks. In addition, vessel movements and radio communications are recorded and available for instantaneous playback.

Port aux Basques is a remote radar site. Remote radio sites include Table Mountain, Stephenville, Ramea Island, Bonne Bay, Pine Tree, Mount Moriah and Point Riche.

Annually, the site responds to over 75 calls for assistance and broadcasts in excess of 12,000 Notices to Shipping providing mariners with important information about waterways.

The centre offers its services in English and French.

(709) 695-2167 (24-Hours)