MCTS - Radio Direction Finding Services

MCTS Centres at Prescott and Thunder Bay provide a VHF direction finding service (VHF/DF) for vessels in central and western Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay. The direction finding service is provided primarily to determine or confirm the estimated position of a vessel requiring assistance in a distress or other emergency situation. In addition, this service may be used to provide an estimated position to a vessel that is uncertain of their location. The intent of this service is not to provide a navigation service. Positions must be regarded as estimates only. Mariners are cautioned that any information provided shall be used at their own discretion.

A vessels' VHF radio transmissions are received at the VHF/DF receiver site where a bearing from the receiver is determined. If a vessel's transmission is received, at adequate strength, at two or more VHF/DF receiver sites, an estimated position can be calculated.

Prescott MCTS centre utilizes receiver sites located at Trafalgar, Brougham and Cobourg to provide direction finding services in central and western Lake Ontario.

Thunder Bay MCTS centre uses receiver sites located at Tobermory, Cape Croker, Banks and Pointe au Baril to provide direction finding services to vessels in Georgian Bay.