The High Frequency (HF) services provided by Tas Maritime Radio are:
1. 12 hour, (0700-1900 hrs) 7 day monitoring of the International Distress and safety traffic frequencies of 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz for distress calls from vessels. The pleasure craft working frequency of 2524 kHz is also monitored. It should be noted that in line with International measures 2182 kHz is not be monitored.
Tas Maritime Radio provides a statewide VHF coverage 24/7.
2. “SECURITE” (Safety) broadcasts as necessary on 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz.
3. Once per day broadcast of Marine Safety Information on 2524, 4146 and 6227 kHz at 0745 hrs Local Time after a pre-announcement on 2524, 4125 and 6215 kHz.
4. Weather forecasts and position skeds (see below).
Calling Tas Maritime Radio when an emergency exists
The entire network of Coast Radio Stations around Australia continuously monitor the distress frequencies 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz. Since the areas of coverage of coast radio stations overlap, it is possible that a distress or urgency call will be heard by several Coast Radio Stations. Your call would be handled by the closest station with the best radio reception.
The process to broadcast an emergency message is:
- Select the most appropriate frequency from 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz. (As a general rule, lower frequencies are needed when closer to Hobart, and lower frequencies are needed during the night)
- Make your emergency call (MAYDAY or PAN PAN) in the recognised manner. In order that the most appropriate Coast Radio Station responds, ensure your vessel position is provided in the call.
- Tas Maritime will respond to your distress call and advise Tasmania Police. Tasmania Police will take control of any search and rescue (SAR) effort.
- Tas Maritime will relay messages between you and the SAR team.
- In cases where you require medical advice, information will be relayed to your vessel from Ambulance Tasmania by Tas Maritime Radio.
- If Tas Maritime does not respond to your distress call, another Coast Radio station will accept the call.
- If no station answers your call, repeat the call and if there is still no response, repeat on a higher distress frequency.
Marine Safety Information
Marine Safety Information (MSI) broadcasts contain warnings for mariners sent out by the Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) of Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR), a division of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), located in Canberra. It includes information such as navigation light outages as well as special operations that effect vessel navigation (eg pipe laying in Bass Strait).
MSI information is listed for the Aus-coast areas (labelled A-H) shown in Figure 1.
Most Tasmanian coastal vessels will operate in Aus-Coast Area D.
Every Coast Radio station will broadcast MSI for both its Aus-Coast area and those adjacent. (MSI broadcasts will occur on 8176 kHz only).
Note: Tas Maritime Broadcast MSIs on 2524, 4146 and 6227 kHz
Schedule times for Marine Safety Information
| STATION | Broadcast 1 | AUSCOAST AREA |
|---|---|---|
| Hobart* | 0745 hrs Local Time | C, D, E |
- Above times are as Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Mariners should be aware that during daylight savings, an hour should be added to EST.
If urgent Marine Safety Information comes to hand, it will be immediately broadcast as a “SECURITE” (Safety) message announced on the distress frequencies 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz.
Tas Maritime Weather Forecasts and Position Skeds
Latest weather forecasts are provided at 0745, 1345 and 1733 hrs daily. These forecasts are simultaneously announced on 2524, 4125 and 6215 kHz and then simultaneously transmitted on 2524, 4146 and 6227 kHz (and VHF Channels 67, 68 and 69).
Position reports are taken after broadcast of the weather forecast.
Coastal Waters Wind warnings are broadcast as they are issued (only between 0715 and 1945 hrs daily) by the Bureau of Meteorology. These warnings are announced on 2182, 4125 and 6215 kHz and transmitted on 2524, 4146 and 6227 kHz.
GMDSS /Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR)
The Global Maritime Distress Safety System is also a valid way for vessels to meet their safety communication obligations. Vessels may therefore utilise satellite systems and digital selective calling systems for safety communications. Specific requirements for these systems should be sought from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
Further information
Marine and Safety Tasmania
Phone: 1300 135 513
Email: admin@mast.tas.gov.au
GMDSS/ Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR)
a division of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
GPO Box 2181 Canberra 2601
Website: www.amsa.gov.au
Tas Maritime Radio
GPO Box 1655 Hobart 7001
Phone: 6231 2276
Email: info@tasmaritime.com.au
Web: tasmaritime.com.au