Communications

VHF Radio Channels Monitored

Coastguard Whakatāne monitors the VHF channels from 08:00 until 18:00 every day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. After 18:00 Coastguard Northern Region or Coastguard Eastern Region takes over until 08:00 next morning.

We monitor the following channels –

• Whakatāne Ch 18, 60, 16
• Opotiki Ch 18
• Nowcasting Ch 79

Leaving Port and Returning

Coastguard Whakatāne encourage all boaties to call Coastguard on leaving port, on returning and during the day when moving position.

1. All vessels intending to depart or enter across the Thornton, Opotiki and Ohiwa bars are asked to advise their intention to do so prior to the crossing
2. Coastguard Whakatāne will log the call and monitor the vessel
3. Once safely across the bar the vessel must report its safe crossing
4. If no safe crossing report is received within 10 minutes by Coastguard Whakatāne the vessel will be called on VHF 18 and 60 to confirm the safe crossing
5. If the safety of the vessel cannot be confirmed an “all stations” call will be made and the matter referred to a Marine SAR Advisor and the Police
6. Boat owners using the Thornton, Opotiki and Ohiwa bars are encouraged to adopt this practice

General

Coastguard provides navigational information and updates to the Marine weather and tides times during the day on both channels 60 and 18 at:

08:00
12:00
18:00

Also Whakatāne Marine Inshore weather at 0800, 1200, 1800 and a Coastal Forecast at 9000 and 1700.

For weekend manning of the communications centre, we rely on volunteer radio operators. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer radio operator please register your particulars and we will get in touch with you.