Photo: Supplied.
CONTRIBUTED BY VMR RABY BAY
How well do you know your marine radio? Do you know what channels to use when out in Moreton Bay or offshore? Do you know how to use it in an emergency? Did you know you need a marine radio licence to operate a VHF marine radio? These are all the questions and more answered in the free Know Your Marine Radio course, run by the volunteers at the Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Raby Bay.
For a number of years, experienced radio operators have trained hundreds of boaties on the use of their marine radios, even by visiting boating and yachting clubs to run in-house sessions. VMR Raby Bay runs these sessions for free but is happy to accept any donations to help in the running of the VMR Raby Bay base.
The course helps participants understand VHF Marine Radios and provides hands-on training for those undertaking the marine radio exam through the Australian Maritime College (AMC). James and Lou are the principal deliverers of the course. Lou invigilates the exams at the VMR Raby Bay base at Cleveland on behalf of the AMC in Launceston, Tasmania.
“Whether you are going out for a few hours fishing in the bay, a day’s fishing offshore or a round-the-world sailing adventure, your marine radio is one of the most important safety items you have on board,” said Lou. “The skipper should know all aspects of radio usage and be able to instruct any crew or passengers on the basics of using the radio in case the skipper becomes incapacitated.”
James and Lou are not only experienced radio operators, taking their turns in the VMR Raby Bay radio room, but also experienced boaties and VMR boat crew coxswains, and both have completed accredited search and rescue courses.
“As part of the constant contact with the boating public, either on a rescue boat or through the radio room, we can give many real-life examples of the importance of using a marine radio,” said James.
“From the time of the Titanic through the invention of international flights, radios have been and continue to be the primary communication tool of operators of boats and planes. While many people believe the mobile phone is all they need, depending on your phone, your carrier or the distance from a tower, the phone can be next to useless. A properly set up marine radio could be your only lifeline in a marine emergency.”
