A network of coast radio stations provides HF voice marine radio distress and safety services for vessels operating up to 200 nautical miles from the Australian coast.
Coast radio stations operate from
Adelaide, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Gladstone, Melbourne, Perth, Port Hedland and Sydney.
Services provided include:
- navigation warnings
- weather schedules
This national network optimises the probability that a vessel can contact a HF coast station (given the nature of HF radio transmission may not necessarily be the closest).
Stations provide a continuous 24-hour distress and safety monitoring service on 4125 kHz, 6215 kHz and 8291 kHz, together with the scheduled broadcast of navigational warnings on 8176 kHz.
Urgent navigational warnings may also be broadcast on the working frequencies of 4146 kHz, 6227 kHz or 8294 kHz at any time, following a brief prior announcement to that effect on 8291 kHz (day) or 4125 kHz (night).
2182 kHz will not be monitored by these coast radio stations, but may continue to be monitored by the various Volunteer Marine Rescue radio bases.
Coast Radio Adelaide is intended to provide a ‘safety net’ for vessels operating in South Australian coastal waters, but does not provide a general communications service, nor does it replace communication services provided by volunteer groups.
Trip notification and position reports
Vessel operators planning coastal passages or offshore trips should arrange for monitoring of their trip details and position reports with local limited coast stations.
- Coast Radio stations will accept and record offered position reports, but will not provide any form of follow-up or trip notification services – this information can only be released by relevant authorities in the event of a search.
- Prior to departure, notify someone ashore of the details of your trip and arrange for them to notify relevant authorities should you not reach your destination as planned.