1. WA VOLUNTEER SEA RESCUE GROUP RADIO GUIDE There are 3 types of marine radios used in Australia : 27 MHz (also known as 27 Meg or Marine CB) – Usually 10 channels (68, 72, 82, 86, 88, 90, 91, 94, 96 and 98). VHF – 55 actual channels, although you will have channels 1 – 88 with a few gaps in between. HF – channel number is usually the frequency in kHz e.g. 2182, 4125, 6215

2. As a very general guide only, for most recreational boat users, a VHF radio is recommended for clarity and reliabilty.

3. Whitfords, Fremantle and Cockburn Sea Rescue monitor the following channels and frequencies, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week : 27 MHz : 88 – Distress use only. 90 – General communications with Sea Rescue (e.g. Logging on and off), also called Working Channel. VHF 16 – Distress use only 73 - General communications with Sea Rescue (e.g. Logging on and off), also called Working Channel. HF 4125 kHz – Distress use and calling Sea Rescue.

4. RADIO NETWORK It is highly recommended that you join the local Sea Rescue Radio Network. Metropolitan Volunteer Sea Rescue Groups have radio operators 24 hours a day to take your calls. You will receive a unique call sign to log on and off with each time you head to sea. They will keep your details which allow them to contact you in an emergency, or if you do not return to land when expected.

5. Having your details allow them to check if your boat trailer is still at the marina if you are overdue, or if you are at sea they know what your vessel looks like and have contact details for you. It is a small investment for peace of mind for you, your family and your boat. Download an application form from their website. For example - www.whitfordssearescue.og.au or call them to have one posted to you.www.whitfordssearescue.og.au

6. USING YOUR RADIO Turn on your radio. Turn your SQUELCH off (normally anti-clockwise) until you hear static/white noise. Turn your volume up until you can easily hear the noise. Turn your SQUELCH slowly back up (normally clockwise) until the noise just disappears. Don’t turn your squelch up too much – it will reduce your reception and you may miss some calls. Set your channel to one of the Sea Rescue general communications / Working channels.. Wait for radio traffic to go quiet before transmitting.

7. *The Metropolitan Sea Rescue Groups callsigns are: Whitfords – VJ6LQ Fremantle – VN6DI Cockburn – VH6CL Of course, if you can’t remember the callsign just use their name. The radio operators will still answer to “Fremantle Sea Rescue” etc.

8. Whilst it is good practice to get your information across as simply as possible, the most important thing is to get the information across correctly. Don’t be afraid to call them up to log on, even if you have never logged on before. The friendly radio operators will talk you through it, even if they have to ask you for each piece of information separately. The most important thing is that you log on and off.

9. For the Logging on and off example next, Whitfords Sea Rescue VJ6LQ will be used. LOGGING ON Wait until you are outside of any marina before calling. Rocks and buildings greatly reduce the effectiveness of the radio. In the following example, your “callsign” is the name is allocated to you when you join the Sea Rescue Radio Network. For example, “Ocean Reef 9999”.

10. Press the button on the microphone and say loudly and clearly : VJ6LQ, VJ6LQ, VJ6LQ, THIS IS (your callsign), THIS IS (your callsign), THIS IS (your callsign) ON CHANNEL (say the channel number – eg 90), OVER. You will hear : (your callsign), THIS IS VJ6LQ, GO AHEAD.

11. You then say: VJ6LQ This is (your callsign), Boat registration number is (your boat registration number), We have (number of people on board) people on board, (how much fuel) litres of fuel, We are departing (place of departure) And heading to (destination). Our estimated time of return is (latest time you expect to return) We will be listening to (the channel you will listen to), over. You will hear: (your callsign) THIS IS VJ6LQ, ROMEO (which means understood), VJ6LQ STANDING BY.

12. Change your channel to the channel you nominated and LEAVE IT ON! It is recommended that the channel you choose to leave it on is the distress channel as it has less radio traffic so you can enjoy your trip, and if there is a vessel nearby in trouble, you may be able to assist. The reason you state the channel you are calling on initially is to assist the radio operator who is operating several radios and telephones in determining which channel you are on.

13. LOGGING OFF You say: VJ6LQ, VJ6LQ, VJ6LQ, This is (your callsign), This is (your callsign), This is (your callsign) on channel (say the channel number – eg 90), over. You will hear: (your callsign), THIS IS VJ6LQ, GO AHEAD. You say: VJ6LQ This is (your callsign), We have returned to (place of return) and closing down, over. You will hear: (your callsign) THIS IS VJ6LQ, ROMEO, VJ6LQ STANDING BY.

14. Note: If you relocate from your given position, call Sea Rescue prior to leaving your position and give details of the new destination. On a final note, because their operations centre has high antennas, often they can hear radio traffic that maybe you can’t. Sometimes when you call up, there maybe some other radio traffic that they don’t want to transmit over, so they will wait until the air is clear, hence it can take a minute or two sometimes to get a response. Don’t be alarmed if they don’t reply straight away, they can probably hear radio traffic that you can’t.

15. The following is an abbreviated guide of the procedure above. You may wish to copy it and keep it next to your radio.

16. LOGGING ON VJ6LQ, VJ6LQ, VJ6LQ, This is ________ This is ________, This is ________ on channel ________, over. ________, THIS IS VJ6LQ, GO AHEAD. VJ6LQ This is ________ Boat registration number is ________ We have ________ people on board We have ________ litres of fuel We are departing ________ And heading to ________. Our estimated time of return is ________ And we will be listening on channel ________ over. ________ THIS IS VJ6LQ, ROMEO, VJ6LQ STANDING BY.

17. LOGGING OFF * If you are on the distress channel, change your radio back to the working channel (eg 90 or 73VHF) before calling. VJ6LQ, VJ6LQ, VJ6LQ, This is ________ This is ________, This is ________ on channel ________, over. ________ THIS IS VJ6LQ, GO AHEAD. VJ6LQ This is ________, we have returned to ________ and closing down, over ________ THIS IS VJ6LQ, ROMEO, VJ6LQ STANDING BY.

18. MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND… www.whitfordssearescue.org.au www.freosearescue.org.au www.cockburnsearescue.org.au * Note, this presentation is a guide only. Contact your local sea rescue group for more information.

19. If you would like a copy of this as a Power Point Presentation guide, email WAsearescue@gmail.com and one will be sent to you.WAsearescue@gmail.com For the safety of all boat users, please email this youtube clip or PowerPoint presentaion to your boating friends. You may have just saved a life. Thanks WAsearescue@gmail.com