Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsunday (VMRW) is well known for its Marine Rescues and assists on the water, but in the background, VMRW also provide vital Marine Communications facilities for VHF radio, as well as vessel tracking facilities via AIS to Marine Traffic on the internet.
Every boatie should already be aware of the functionality of VHF radios as a safer and more reliable means of communication than a mobile phone while they are out on the water, but they may not be as familiar with AIS.
AIS is a system that you can fit on your boat that identifies your position and past track on the internet and to other AIS-equipped vessels, and can greatly assist if rescue services need to locate you in an emergency.
The number of boats fitted with AIS units is expanding rapidly, and it is a great addition to the safety equipment on your vessel.
VMRW has 3 AIS receiving stations, at Shute Harbour, on Whitsunday Island, and on Hayman Island - although the latter two are temporarily offline, and the VMRW are looking at how they can best address that at both sites, which are helicopter access only.
The units each cover an area of over 2,000 to 3,000 sq. kms and get coverage to the outer reef, and there are now very few AIS black spots within the Whitsundays.
AIS coverage from the Mt Robison site, at an altitude of 400 metres on Whitsunday Island, varies from 2500 sq. kms to over 3500 sq. kms, depending upon atmospherics at the time. The Hayman site is at an altitude of 250 metres, and covers around 2,000 sq. kms. Shute Harbour covers about the same.
More and more recreational vessels are fitting AIS, and it is well worth considering as an additional safety feature on almost anything bigger than a tinny.
A VMRW membership is cheap insurance at just $90. You can join online. at https://vmrwhitsundays.com.au/join/ and your membership helps to keep us going in case you need us.
VHF radio ; photo supplied
