Do I need to bring the manual?

Yes. You should have read the maritime radio manual sent before the session and bring a printed copy for reference.

What language is the session in?

The session and exams are delivered in French.

How long is the entire exam session?

The full session lasts approximately 3 hours 30 minutes: 90 minutes of review, 60 minutes practical, 60 minutes oral.

Can I retake parts of the exam if I fail?

Policies on retakes were not provided; ask the session organizer at check‑in for local retake procedures and scheduling.

Is prior boating experience required?

No formal boating experience is required, but familiarity with basic boat operations and terminology is helpful.

Where exactly is the meeting point?

The exam takes place at Club Nautique de Carleton (Marina) in Carleton‑sur‑Mer; arrive early to confirm the exact check‑in location.

Pass the VHF Radio Exam at Carleton Marina — Séance d'examen Certificat VHF CRO(M)

Carleton Marina at Club Nautique de Carleton in Carleton‑sur‑Mer, Québec sits on the sheltered shore of Baie des Chaleurs, where working fishing wharves meet recreational slips beneath low rocky headlands and stands of black spruce. Séance d'examen - Certificat VHF CRO(M) is a compact, practical 3½‑hour exam session designed to get skippers, crew, and coastal day‑boaters ready to pass the Canadian VHF maritime radio certification. The program combines instructor‑led group review, hands‑on practical testing, and oral assessments, all delivered in French at the marina itself. The session structure is straightforward and efficient: 90 minutes of group review that clarifies radio procedures, signal formats, distress and urgency calls, and common on‑water scenarios; a 60‑minute practical exam that tests use of the VHF set and correct phrasing; and a final 60‑minute oral exam that confirms comprehension and decision‑making under simulated conditions. Participants are expected to have read the maritime radio manual provided in advance and to have completed the online revision questions included with the materials. The immersive setting of a working harbor—buoys, dinghies, and lobster skiffs moving in the background—turns abstract protocols into immediately applicable skills. What makes this offering special is the marriage of rigorous testing with place‑based instruction. Carleton‑sur‑Mer’s harbor is not a sterile training room; it is part of a living coastal economy where VHF radios are essential tools. Instructors draw on local navigation challenges—tidal ranges, fog pockets, and rocky shoals—to make scenarios realistic and memorable. For visitors planning to cruise Baie des Chaleurs or rent a boat for a day, earning this certificate here accelerates confident and safe time on the water and connects you to local maritime norms. Practical tips: bring the printed manual, a notebook, and a charged phone. Sessions run 3h30 and are taught in French; participant age limits and group sizes were not supplied. Owner/operator contact information was not provided in the source materials. A brief cultural note: Carleton‑sur‑Mer is part of the Acadian coastal region, with a long history of fishing and small‑boat seamanship that informs the area’s training traditions. Environmentally, students are encouraged to minimize disturbance to shorebirds and marine life and to follow local waste and fuel‑handling best practices. Expect small‑group dynamics that favor questions and real‑time demonstrations; instructors often use actual radio sets and local VHF channels to simulate traffic and emergency calls, which helps embed phrasing and procedures under pressure. Plan to arrive early for check‑in, and consider pairing the session with an afternoon harbor walk to observe radio traffic in real practice.