>P&O Ferries (whom P&O do still own) discontinued 500kHz after the
introduction of GMDSS.


I have not seen any wire type antennas for several years now on any of the
container ships, tankers or cruise ships that I see going and coming to
Vancouver. The disappearance of these antennas from commercial ships was
almost immediate once that CW and 500kHz, along with the resident RO's,  had
been dropped.

Steve / VE7SL

Mayne Island, B.C.