From 1 January 2022, AMSA will provide 24-hour nationwide monitoring of high frequency (HF) radiotelephone distress, urgency and safety communications in Australia.
HF radiotelephone is a solution for a vessel outside VHF shore station range to send and receive distress and maritime safety information with other vessels and shore stations.
There are three services that AMSA will support with its HF radiotelephone capability:
- 24-hour nationwide monitoring of HF radiotelephone distress, urgency and safety communications on 4 125, 6 215, 8 291, 12 290 and 16 420 kHz.
- Promulgation of maritime safety information (MSI) in the form of AUSCOAST and NAVAREA X navigational warnings.
- 24-hour nationwide HF radiotelephone test call service on 4 125, 6 215, 8 291, 12 290 and 16 420 kHz.
Why this is changing
Since 2002, the States and Northern Territory have been responsible for providing 24-hour nationwide monitoring of HF radiotelephone distress, safety and urgency communication by shore stations in Australia.
Over the years, the use of HF radiotelephone as the first and only means of emergency calling has been in steady decline.
This prompted the jurisdictions and AMSA to review the ongoing requirement for shore station monitoring of HF radiotelephone in Australia.
From 1 October 2019 until 29 November 2019, the jurisdictions and AMSA undertook consultation with customers and stakeholders.
Based on feedback received, and AMSA consideration of the implications on its regulated community, particularly vessels that fall under the Marine SafetyNational Law Act 2012, a 24-hour HF radiotelephone monitoring service must continue to be provided in Australia.
