VHF broadcast providers
The marine transport and safety agencies of the State and Northern
Territory governments are responsible for the dissemination
of maritime safety information, including weather information,
for small craft (under 300 tonnes) on VHF radio.
This page lists some additional VHF broadcast and information sources.
New South Wales
In the Newcastle, Sydney and Port Kembla areas weather information
is scheduled for broadcast on VHF Channel 67.
Further information:
- NSW Maritime Authority See: ‘Recreational Boating’
- Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol
- Australian Volunteer Coastguard
- Other Volunteer Marine Rescue units.
Victoria
Weather information is broadcast for vessels in and around Port Phillip
and Western Port Bays on VHF Channel 67.
Further information:
- Marine Safety Victoria See: ‘Marine Safety Radio’
- Australian Volunteer Coastguard
Queensland
Weather forecasts are announced on channel 16 and broadcast
on channel 67 by volunteers. During operating hours, Volunteer
Rescue stations provide regular weather information for all craft
within VHF range.
Further information:
Forecasts are not provided
24 hours a day.
Contact details of volunteer
marine rescue and coast guard groups:
- Maritime Safety Queensland See: 'Safety – Marine Radios'
The Bureau of Meteorology also provides a limited VHF weather service in Qld.
Western Australia
Weather and navigation warning broadcasts covering Perth metropolitan
waters within 20 nautical miles are provided on VHF Channels
16 and 67 by the WA Water Police. Volunteer Sea Rescue Groups
are based in most coastal population centres and operate within
normal recreational boating hours.
Volunteer marine rescue groups - contact details:
- Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) See: DFES approved volunteer marine rescue groups
Marine safety:
- Western Australia Department of Planning and Infrastructure See: ‘Marine Information’
The Bureau of Meteorology also provides a limited VHF weather service in WA.
South Australia
Marine radio in South Australia:
- South
Australia Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure See: ‘Safety’ or ‘VHF
Radio Marine Weather Services’
- Volunteer marine coastal radio network, SA For: Broadcast times and channels used by local volunteer marine rescue organisations.
Weather information is also available through Volunteer Coast Radio Stations.
Tasmania
Volunteer stations broadcast weather forecasts and warnings on 27 MHz, VHF and HF radio.
Tasmania has an extensive VHF radio repeater network that is
also used by volunteer radio stations to provide weather services.
For full details of stations, times and frequencies of weather
services around the Tasmanian coast line:
- Marine and Safety Tasmania See: ‘Marine Communications’
Further information:
Northern Territory
Coast Radio Darwin broadcasts weather information over VHF
channel 67. This consists of the forecast for Darwin Harbour
and surrounding areas plus the Coastal Waters Forecast for Daly
River Mouth to Cape Don.
Further information and schedules:
- Northern Territory Department of Planning and Infrastructure See: ‘Marine Safety’
