Everything you need to know about logging on and off with Sea Rescue, VHF radio protocol, the repeater network, sea rescue directories and useful boating links — state by state.
Most Volunteer Marine Rescue and Sea Rescue groups around the Australian coast offer a free log-on / log-off radio service — one of the simplest and most effective safety habits any boat owner can build.
The idea is simple: you log on before you leave, telling the rescue station who you are, where you're going and when you expect to be back. Then you can get on with your day knowing that if you run into trouble and don't check in on time, someone already has a head start on where to look for you.
When you get back in, don't forget to log off — otherwise you'll trigger a search for a boat that's already safely tied up at the dock. (BoatMe's Log a Trip feature tracks this for you automatically if your rescue station supports digital log-on.)
If you're not a regular in the area, the radio operator may also ask for a quick description of your vessel.
Names, call signs and the example scenario above are fictional, created for BoatMe — always use your own boat's real details and the actual rescue station you're calling.
When you're back in, logging off is just as important — it's a simple call to let the rescue station know you're home safe, so nobody launches a search for a boat that's already back at the dock.
Having a great day and want to stay out a bit longer? No problem — just call your rescue station back and let them know your new estimated time of return, before your original ETR passes.
⬇ Download the full PDF guideUsed to spell out call signs, names and places clearly over the radio, letter by letter.
Standard words used to keep radio calls short, clear and unambiguous.
| Correct | You are correct. |
| Correction | An error has been made — the correct message follows. |
| I say again | Used when repeating all or part of a message. |
| I spell | You're about to spell the next word phonetically. |
| Mayday | A distress signal — only ever used in a genuine emergency. |
| Out | Transmission ended, no reply required. |
| Over | Transmission ended, a reply is expected. |
| Read back | Asking the receiving station to repeat the message back, to confirm it was received correctly. |
| Received | Message received and understood. |
| Say again | Please repeat your entire message — it wasn't understood. |
| Send | Ready to receive your message. |
| Sitrep | Situation report. |
| Verify | Used when asking to confirm part of a message. |
| Wait | A short pause is needed before continuing. |
A network of strategically located marine VHF repeater stations extends the range of VHF communications along the WA coast. To check if a repeater is available in your area, switch to the repeater channel and briefly key the microphone — a short burst of noise (a "tail") confirms you're in range. No burst usually means you're out of range.
Transmissions on repeater channels are often time-limited (commonly 30 seconds) to keep the channel free for others. Treat these channels with the same respect as any other VHF emergency channel — keep calls brief and essential.
| Town / Nearest VMR | Repeater Site | VHF Ch. |
|---|---|---|
| Wyndham | The Bastion | 80 |
| Lacrosse Island | 81 | |
| Derby | Koolan Island | 81 |
| Broome | The Water Bank Tower | 22 |
| Cape Leveque | 80 | |
| Christmas Island | South Point | 80 |
| Murray Hill | 81 | |
| Irvine Hill | 82 | |
| Cocos (Keeling) Island | Air Services Site | 20 |
| Port Walcott | Cape Lambert — 5 KP Tower | 81 |
| Exmouth | Charles Knife Canyon | 21 |
| Harold E Holt Naval Base | 22 | |
| Coral Bay | Ningaloo Station | 82 |
| Warroora | 80 | |
| Carnarvon | Cape Cuvier | 81 |
| Shark Bay | Steep Point | 22 |
| Kalbarri | Red Bluff — Water Corp site | 80 |
| Geraldton | Rat Island — Abrolhos Group | 81 |
| Moresby Range | 82 | |
| Jurien Bay | Mount Lesueur | 21 |
| Lancelin | Nilgen | 22 |
| Perth Metropolitan | Rottnest Island | 81 |
| Mandurah | Turner Hill | 82 |
| Dunsborough | Mount Duckworth | 22 |
| Cape Naturaliste | Radar Hill | 80 |
| Augusta | Hillview Golf Course | 82 |
| Windy Harbour | Cathedral Rock | 81 |
| Walpole | Young's Hill | 21 |
| Denmark / Peaceful Bay | Mount Shadforth | 22 |
| Albany | Eclipse Island | 80 |
| Mount Clarence | 82 | |
| Two Peoples Bay | 81 | |
| Bremer Bay | Bremer Bay | 80 |
| Hopetoun | Hopetoun | 21 |
| Esperance | Howick Hill | 21 |
| 6 Mile Hill | 22 |
Other repeater stations are operated by port authorities and commercial operators; some are shown on Department of Transport marine charts. Always confirm current channel information with your local marine rescue group before relying on a repeater.
⬇ Download the full PDF guideContact details for Australia's volunteer marine rescue groups, state by state. Always confirm current VHF channel and radio call sign directly with your local group, as these can change.
Compiled from the Victorian Government's official MSAR unit directory (Emergency Management Victoria), expanded to show each unit's radio ID, coverage area and vessel types. Standard volunteer roles across all units: rescue boat crews, marine radio operators, educators, administration, maintenance, fund raising and public relations — contact the unit's website to register your interest. The Eppalock Coast Guard unit (Lake Eppalock) has now closed.
Missing from the directory, or your station's details have changed? Send us your details here — every listing is verified with the station before it goes live.
Compiled from the SA SES Marine pages (SASES operates and coordinates South Australia's volunteer marine rescue network, with SA Police coordinating search and rescue). There are 6 independently incorporated VMR Associations, each covering flotillas and satellite locations beyond their home port, plus a separate network of SASES-operated marine units at Offshore, Limited Inshore and Inland locations. Offshore vessels operate up to 30 nautical miles to seaward depending on location.
This network is complementary to the state-funded Coast Radio Adelaide VHF 16/67 network. Always monitor the distress frequencies 27MHz Ch 88 / VHF Ch 16. Schedules are subject to change — confirm with the station.
| Station | Sked Time | Frequency | Monitor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Rescue Adelaide [0700–1800 hrs] | 0740 · 1210 · 1710 Hrs | 27 MHz Ch 86 · VHF Ch 67 · HF 2524 | 27 MHz Ch 88, 86 · VHF Ch 16, 80 DSC · HF scanning 2–16 MHz / DSC |
| Coast Guard-Ardrossan [0700–1800 hrs] | 0835 · 1805 Hrs | 27 MHz Ch 88 · VHF Ch 80 | 27 MHz Ch 88 · VHF Ch 16, 80 |
| VMR Tumby Bay [0700–1800 hrs] | 0745 · 1715 Hrs | 27 MHz Ch 88, 86 · VHF Ch 81 · HF 2524 | 27 MHz Ch 88, 86 · VHF Ch 16, 81 · HF 2524 |
| Whyalla Sea Rescue [0800–1600 hrs] | 0805 · 1545 Hrs | 27 MHz Ch 88, 91 · VHF 73 | 27 MHz Ch 88 · VHF Ch 16, 82 · UHF Ch 11 |
A starting list of useful government, weather and boating resources — organised by state. More states are being added over time.