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Marine Rescue Safety
Service
(MRSS).
One of the most important safety
acts a mariner should undertake before going out
is to advise someone responsible of details of their trip.
The ability to communicate with others in times of emergency is, probably, the
most
important tool for Safety of Life at Sea.
All boat owners are urged to join the Coastal Patrol's Marine Radio Safety
Service
(MRSS) where confidential records are maintained to assist in our rapid
identification
of and communication with members' vessels.
Download an application form
Click here
There are 27 Coastal Patrol radio and search & rescue bases along the NSW
coast.
Frequencies monitored include 27.88 (chn.88) and 27.91(chn.91)MHz, VHF channels
16,80 and 73,
MF/HF 2182kHz.
The MRSS application form requests full details of your vessel, home address
and a
land-based contact in the event you are overdue at your return destination
ETR. We
then
know what we are looking for and whom to advise when we have ascertained you
are
safe.
Details of your vessel will be entered into the Coastal Patrol Rescue's
computer
database. This information is then readily available, for search and rescue
teams,
should you ever call for assistance.
All information remains confidential to Coastal Patrol Rescue except in an
emergency when co-operation and support is co-ordinated by the NSW Water
Police.
This MRSS service is maintained by over 2000 Coastal Patrol volunteers and is
available to all members of the boating community who want to have a direct
means
of communication to a rescue base and, also, have peace of mind knowing that
you
have a friend listening out ashore when you are afloat.
You may join the Radio Club by
completing an application form and paying the annual fee of $35
We will issue with a unique identification number ( Mobile ###) which you will use to
identify your vessel
when you communicate with the local Division.
What will I need when I go boating?
Call Coastal Patrol Batemans Bay on
the radio and the operator will register your details
each time you venture onto the water by recording:
-
The callsign number allocated to
you
-
How many people are onboard
-
Where you launched from
-
Where you are going and
-
When you will be returning
If you are a Radio Club member all personal details are already
securely
held on our database and
therefore do not have to be supplied each time you
venture out.
If your car details and shore contact numbers are
not on file, they will be requested.
If you are visiting the area, call into the base and fill in a VISITING VESSEL
INFORMATION sheet.
The service is free, it saves time and preserves your personal details when you
log in on the radio.
PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO LOG
OFF WHEN YOU RETURN
This important
safety requirement is your responsibility, if you do not log off by the nominated time,
we will institute predetermined search procedures for you.
What do I do now ? Join
us.
To access the application form,
please Click here. Print off a copy, complete the
details requested and post, together with a cheque, money order or cash for
your
annual subscription, to RVCP Batemans Bay, PO Box 585, Batemans Bay, NSW,
2536
or drop it off at the Divisional Base at the hanging Rock Launching Ramp.
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Logging On
Switch on your 27 Meg radio, turn the SQUELCH
control anti-clockwise (down) and your volume
control clockwise
(up).
Turn the channel knob to
make sure that the set shows "88"
on the screen. Listen for a
few moments until there are no other
transmissions.
Hold the 'press to talk' switch then speak normally
across the face of the microphone of your radio
-
do not shout.
"Hello Batemans Bay Coastal Patrol, Batemans Bay Coastal Patrol,
this is (give your Radio Club call sign number),
Over."
Coastal Patrol will reply with your call sign number saying
"Go to
Channel 91 and call me back, Over."
Switch your radio to Channel 91, hold the 'press to
talk' switch and say:
"Batemans Bay Coastal Patrol, this is (your call
sign). We have [4] people on board, we launched at Hanging Rock/Jamesons/Marina
etc, we are going to the Tollgates/Shelf/Durras etc, and our
estimated time of return [ETR] is 1130. Over".
Coastal Patrol will log you in for an 1130 hours
return, You should switch back to the call channel. Channel 88. Leave your
radio on.
Logging Off
When you have returned and are safely over the bar, call Batemans
Bay Coastal Patrol on Channel 88,VHF
16 the same way as you logged on, then go up to the
Channel as directed and say "Please log us off".
If you wish to extend your time of return, call the base and let us
know.
If your radio fails when you are out boating try but do not rely
on
your mobile to call Coastal Patrol on 02 4472 3060 to log off on
return.
Problems
If you have a problem while out boating, or if
you see another boat which is in difficulties,
call Coastal Patrol on Channel 88 VHF 16 or VHF repeater 80
and then report the problem, giving your location, the nature
of the problem, what action you are taking, and what response you
would like from our rescue
vessel.
Emergencies
IF YOU HAVE A LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY call and say "MAYDAY,
MAYDAY, MAYDAY" this is
(call sign) at (give your location and the
nature of your life threatening emergency)
If you have a serious problem - use "Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan".
If you have a problem, like
flat battery, out of fuel etc. and need a
tow, call us on Channel 88. VHF
16 or repeater VHF 80
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