Gouvernement du Yukon
Communiqués archivés
Pour diffusion immédiate numéro 05-158
Le 15 juin 2005
Un nouveau système de détresse en mer pour une sécurité nautique accrue
WHITEHORSE — En cas d’urgence ou de détresse, les plaisanciers qui naviguent dans la région des Lacs du Sud pourront désormais demander de l’assistance par radio grâce au système de détresse VHF en mer, un nouveau système de communication qui, croit-on, devrait grandement améliorer le temps de réponse en cas d’urgence.
« Nous travaillons à mettre en place un système de détresse VHF en mer pour le Yukon depuis 1992 », a dit Jeff Stanhope, conseiller technique pour ce projet. « Nous avons dû faire face à de nombreux défis, obstacles et revers au cours de dix dernières années, mais je suis heureux de pouvoir dire que cet été, le système est enfin en place et fonctionne. »
La Yukon Amateur Radio Association (YARA) a dirigé le projet avec l’appui des organismes suivants : Industrie Canada, gouvernement du Yukon, Yukon Electrical Company Ltd, Pêches et Océans, Yukon Power Squadron Society et Yukon Energy. La GRC et Daniels Electronics, de Victoria, ont également fait don d’équipements radio pour le projet.
Les plaisanciers en détresse peuvent accéder au système au moyen de leur radio de bord et contacter la « radio de Whitehorse », Action Answering Limited, de fin mai à début d’octobre, 24 h sur 24, 7 jours sur 7. À la suite de la réception d’un appel de détresse, Action Answering avisera la GRC de la situation. Les
radios maritimes ordinaires (VHF) fonctionnent avec ce système et on peut se les procurer chez les détaillants locaux.
Le système fonctionne à partir de transmetteurs-répéteurs installés au sommet de certaines montagnes stratégiquement situées près des endroits les plus populaires auprès des plaisanciers des Lacs du Sud. Le système radio dessert la plupart des lacs et cours d’eau situés entre Destruction Bay et Teslin.
« Évidemment, la prévention des accidents est encore la responsabilité des plaisanciers », a déclaré Shelley Huebert, responsable de l’Organisation des mesures d’urgence du Yukon. « Il est très important pour eux de tenir compte des conditions de l’eau et de la météo, d’être bien préparés et de s’assurer de connaître la capacité de leur embarcation. Cependant, lorsqu’ils sont en détresse, ce système radio leur permettra d’appeler plus facilement à l’aide, et les secours pourront venir plus rapidement pour sauver des vies. »
P. j. : Description détaillée du système de détresse en mer du Yukon (en anglais seulement) Pour de plus amples renseignements sus les systèmes de détresse VHF, vous pouvez également visiter www.ypss.ca ou www.yara.ca .
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| Renseignements : Jeff Stanhope Industrie Canada (867) 667-5102 stanhope.jeff@ic.gc.ca |
Bob Melanson Président de la YARA (867) 667-2570 bobmel@northwestel.net |
Doug Caldwell Analyste des communications Services aux collectivités (867) 667-8065 doug.caldwell@gov.yk.ca |
YUKON VHF MARINE DISTRESS SYSTEM – SYSTEM DESCRIPTION:
What is the Yukon Marine Distress System?
For several decades now, there has been a need to provide some basic marine communications for the growing number of boaters on the Yukon lakes and rivers. While this type of service has been in place for decades in many of Canada’s southern areas, some of them inland, there has never been anything in the Yukon. Although the Canadian Coast Guard is very supportive, they do not officially have a mandate to provide this service for the Yukon waterways.
This Yukon Marine Distress System was first conceived in 1992 by a consortium of community volunteers and other agencies. The main partners are the Yukon Electrical Company Ltd, the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO, Yukon government), Industry Canada, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), the Yukon Amateur Radio Association (YARA), Action Answering Ltd, and the Canadian Power Squadron Society.
Serious work began on this project in 1994. For access points, the logical choice was to work with YARA to access some of their mountain-top radio sites (also known as “Comshels”) which were strategically located far above various lakes and waterways. Ever since, YARA has been one of the main contributors having already been involved in a number of community events and programs over the years involving “public good” type communications. YARA has also worked closely with EMO in emergency planning exercises or actual emergency events such as the large forest fires last summer.
One of the big advantages of any marine system is that the consumer grade radios, used in this service, are affordable and available in many local stores. This means that the service can be utilized by all types of boaters, which also includes people in canoes and kayaks.
Through various fund raising activities over the past 13 years, more than $90K worth of commercial marine equipment has been installed at four mountain top sites and one downtown site. Although this system has been technically operating for about one year, it could not be publicly announced until secure funding was achieved. Funding has now been secured for the system’s operating and maintenance costs.
The Mt. Decoeli site, for Marine Channel 23, is at 7,800 feet west of Haines Junction. This is the only non-Comshel type of building used in the system. Two other Comshels located here, the last one reinforced with steel ribbing, however both were lost in the previous five years due to winds which can reach over 200/KMH. Estimated winds at this site reach over 200 KPH but there is little icing.
The main radio sites are as follows:
- 7,200’ Montana Mountain (Channel 16) near Carcross;
- 6,000’ Hayes Peak (Channel 09) near Teslin;
- 6,600’ Pilot Mountain (Channel 20) near Whitehorse; and,
- 7,800’ Mount Decoeli, (Channel 23) near Haines Junction (above).
The Yukon system is unique in that the Canadian Coast Guard does not monitor the radio traffic as they do along Canada’s coast lines or on the Great Lakes. The Yukon system is ‘self-managed’ whereby users are responsible to use their radios according to the marine radio operator’s guide.
Hailing frequencies are selected channels which are reserved for calling for assistance only. Apart from other boaters who could be in the area, these channels are monitored by Action Answering, a volunteer dispatch service in downtown Whitehorse, will provide full 24/7 monitoring service.
Together, these sites span more than 500 kilometers east to west, and 250 kilometers north to south. Because of this large coverage area, the system is able to provide a direct link for distressed boaters from many lakes and then to the RCMP and/or the search and rescue (SAR) personnel. Once SAR officials are deployed, the system can be accessed directly from SAR radios to converse with the distressed boater and other responders.
Boat Sticker and Pocket Guide
Meeting in Juneau with US Coast Guard Staff in June 2004 for frequency coordination. Left to Right: Warren J. Russell, LCDR, Chief; Communications, Technology and Security Branch; Master Chief Jones, (Warren’s boss); Jim Rackley, Communications Technologist; Jeff Stanhope (IC)
Yearly Estimated Budget:
It is estimated that each year, the operations and maintenance budget will be $17K.
|
Revenue |
|
These agencies provide the O&M funding |
|
Fisheries and Oceans (DFO – Coast Guard) ………......$5K |
|
Yukon Energy (*In kind - helicopter time) ………...... $2K
|
|
Estimated Expenses by category |
|
Total Expense ……………………….…………….….$17K |
A few words of thanks to our community partners….
The Yukon Emergency Measures Organization (EMO):
EMO was an active participant in the system development and paid for the printing of the stickers and the pocket guides. EMO’s on-going role with Search and Rescue societies provides an opportunity for effective use of the radio system through their regular training program.
The Yukon Power Squadron:
The Yukon Power Squadron Society (YPSS) has been very helpful and a key partner in system planning and education. The YPSS has now integrated this system into their training courses for boaters and also has it listed on their web site, www.ypss.ca.
Action Answering Ltd:
A well respected answering service, Action Answering Ltd, has volunteered their services from when this concept was brought-up more than ten years ago. They have their staff trained by volunteers from the YPSS to help them undertake their role as marine dispatchers whereby they are contributing an enhanced level of service.
The Yukon Forest Service:
The Yukon Marine Distress System would also like to acknowledge the continuing contribution of Yukon Forestry for shared helicopter time. This was used in the summer of 2004 to service Hayes Peak and Montana Mountain.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO):
Starting in April 2001, the National Search and Rescue Secretariat has provided, through DFO, about $83K towards the capital costs required for the initial construction of the system. In addition, DFO Pacific Region, from time to time sends what surplus electronic equipment it can spare for the system operations and maintenance.
Yukon Electrical Company Ltd (YECL):
YECL has agreed to fund this system up to $5,000 each year. In the past, YECL has also helped with site rebuilds that have been destroyed by direct lightning or when Comshels have been blown off the mountain entirely. Since 1996, only three Comshels have been lost so far.
Yukon Energy Corporation (YEC):
YEC has agreed to pay (in-kind) for a helicopter flight to the Pilot Mountain site once each year. This amounts to about $2,000/year.
The Yukon Amateur Radio Association and other Community Volunteers:
Finally, it should also be noted that this system is also supported by many other volunteer groups and individuals such as the Yukon Amateur Radio Association, who designed and built it. In addition there are various volunteer listeners on the lakes, such as the Southern Lakes Marina, who monitor the marine system and are able to help by relaying boaters’ messages.