Marine Radio Channels

To enhance the monitoring of Distress Calls, it is advisable to add specific channels to your Dual Watch or Tri Watch. This feature is commonly available on both base and portable marine radios, allowing you to simultaneously monitor Channel 16 and any other channels you select.

Also, have a read of this handy

Marine Communications fact sheet

Learn about whom to contact around SEQ on the marine radio channel page

VHF MARINE

Channel 12 - Brisbane VTS

This channel is used by vessels working the main shipping channels on Moreton Bay and the Brisbane River between Point Cartwright at Mooloolaba and Brett's Wharf at Hamilton Reach on the Brisbane River and under the control of Brisbane Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)

Brisbane VTS Information Sheet

VHF Channel 13 - Brisbane River & Southern Moreton Bay Islands workings

Vessels working on the Brisbane River upstream from Brett's Wharf and also in southern Moreton Bay, south of a line running from the Boat Passage Bridge at Fishermans Islands, to North Point on St Helena Island, to Reeders Point on Moreton Island, and then to the southern limit which follows Latitude 27°40'S

Check out our Brisbane River Page

Brisbane River Note:

Commercial vessels should generally operate as close as practicable to the starboard side of the centre third of the navigable river unless it is unsafe to do so.

Masters are required to give position calls via VHF channels 12 and/or 13 on approach to sharp/blind bends and bridges, with additional calls when overtaking other vessels or in restricted visibility

VHF Channel 16 - Distress, Safety, and Initial Calling Channel

A distress call has priority over all other transmissions

On VHF, use channel 16 or 67 for distress transmissions

When calling and working with another maritime station, establish communications on 16

Once communications have been established, switch to a working channel

For VHF, use channels 72, or 77 when working with other vessels

When calling and working with a coast station like a marine rescue unit they will advise you to change to a channel of their choice

To improve monitoring for Distress Calls add these Channels to your Dual Watch or Tri Watch

VHF Channel 19 Repeater Channel

This repeater is located at Point Danger on the QLD/NSW border and provides coverage for offshore and Tweed River inland waterways and is monitored by Marine Rescue Point Danger

VHF Channel 20 Repeater Channel

This repeater is located at Tangalooma on the western side of Moreton Island and provides good coverage across the northern parts of Moreton Bay between Redcliffe and Tangalooma

VHF Channel 21 Repeater Channel

This repeater is located at Cape Moreton at the tip of Moreton Island and provides good coverage for the offshore areas of Moreton & North Stradbroke Islands and areas north up to the Sunshine Coast.

Coast Guard Redcliffe does weather broadcasts updates daily at the following times 06:15, 12:15, 16:15

reading the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, and Moreton Bay waters forecast

VHF Channel 22 Repeater Channel

This repeater is located at Noosa Heads and provides good coverage across the Noosa region

VHF Channel 63 Repeater Channel

This repeater is operated by the Queensland Police Service contact can be made with the

Brisbane Water Police on this channel if no answer try phoning (07) 3895 0333

Remember if it's an emergency call on VHF 16 or 27mhz 88 or dial Triple Zero 000

VHF Channel 67 - Secondary Distress Channel

This channel can be used for distress transmissions.

This channel also does weather broadcasts updates daily from Seaway Tower Southport

VMR 414 Seaway Tower Southport Times

06:05 Moreton Bay & Gold Coast waters forecast

10:05 Gold Coast waters forecast

14:05 Gold Coast waters forecast

17:33 Moreton Bay & Gold Coast waters forecast

VHF Channel 73 Working Channel

This channel is used and monitored by Volunteer Marine Rescue & Coast Guard units and is used as a working channel for log-on and other vessel communication. this channel can sometimes be very busy if no luck calling a rescue unit try another channel to use and call on

VHF Channel 80 Repeater Channel

This repeater provides good coverage of the Sunshine Coast region and Sandy Straits

VHF Channel 81 Repeater Channel

This repeater provides excellent coverage of Moreton Bay, Gold & Sunshine Coast regions, Brisbane River upstream to Ipswich Region

VHF Channel 82 Repeater Channel

This repeater is located at Stapylton and provides good coverage from Southern Moreton Bay to the Gold Coast region

VHF Channel 83 Repeater Channel

This repeater is located at Point Lookout and provides good coverage for the offshore areas of

Moreton & North Stradbroke Islands and out to sea

27 MHz Marine

Distress & Safety

Use 27.88MHz (channel 88) and 27.86MHz (channel 86) as supplementary

27MHz has a very limited range of around 10-15 nautical miles and is usually limited to "line of sight".

Despite its decreased range compared to VHF, 27Mhz is useful for short-range communication however you should check that a limited coast station is in your immediate vicinity before relying on it for your safety

MF/HF Marine

For distress and calling use 4125, 6215, and 8291KHz.

For navigational warnings use 8176KHz