Frequencies and Monitoring

A Cooperative Vessel Traffic Service was established by the United States and Canada within adjoining waters. The appropriate vessel traffic Center administers the rules issued by both nations; however, it will enforce only its own set of rules within its jurisdiction.                    

Tofino Traffic  156.725 MHz ( CH. 74)
The waters west of 124⁰40W. within 50 nautical miles of the coast of Vancouver Island including the waters north of 48⁰N., and east of 127 ⁰W. A portion of Tofino Sectors monitoring area extends beyond the defined CVTS area. Designated frequency monitoring is voluntary in these portions outside of VTS jurisdiction, however, prospective VTS Users are encouraged to monitor the designated frequency.      

Seattle Traffic  156.250 MHz (Ch. 5A)         
The navigable waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca east of 124⁰40W, excluding the waters in the central portion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca north and east of Race Rocks; the navigable waters of the Strait of Georgia east of 122⁰52W.; the San Juan Island Archipelago, Rosario Strait, Bellingham Bay; Admiralty Inlet north of a line connecting Nodule Point and Bush Point and all waters east of Whidbey Island north of a line drawn due east from the southernmost tip of Possession Point on Whidbey Island to the shoreline.  Seattle Traffic may direct a vessel to monitor the other primary VTS frequency 156.250 MHz or 156.700 MHz (Channel 5A or 14) depending on traffic density, weather conditions, or other safety factors, rather than strictly adhering to the designated frequency required for each monitoring area as defined above. This does not require a vessel to monitor both primary frequencies. Channel 5A is a U.S. simplex channel. Radios that have an INT U.S. switch, should be in the U.S. position.  

Victoria Traffic  156.550 MHz CH. 11)
The navigable waters of the Strait of Georgia to Merry & Ballenas Island , excluding the areas of responsibility of Vancouver Traffic, the navigable waters of the central Strait of Juan de Fuca north and east of Race Rocks, including the Gulf Island Archipelago, Boundary Pass and Haro Strait .  

Vancouver Traffic 156.600 MHz ( CH. 12)
The navigable waters north of the Iona Breakwater (including Howe Sound) extending westward to a line directly south of Cape Roger Curtis, Bowen Island . The navigable waters east of Cape Roger Curtis including Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm.              

Seattle Traffic 156.700 MHz CH. 14)
The navigable waters of Puget Sound, Hood Canal and adjacent waters south of a line connecting Nodule Point and Bush Point in Admiralty Inlet and south of a line drawn due east from the southernmost tip of Possession Point on Whidbey Island to the shoreline.  In the event of a communication failure either by the vessel traffic center or the vessel or radio congestion on a designated VTS frequency, communications may be established on an alternate VTS frequency. The bridge-to-bridge navigational frequency, 156.650MHz (Channel 13), is monitored in each VTS area; and it may be used as an alternate frequency, however, only to the extent that doing so provides a level of safety beyond that provided by other means.  Designated frequency monitoring is required within U.S. navigable waters. In areas which are outside the U.S. navigable waters, designated frequency monitoring is voluntary. However, prospective VTS Users are encouraged to monitor the designated frequency.