COMMENCING on 1 January 2022, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority will provide a unified high frequency (HF) radio service, incorporating radiotelephone and DSC for distress alerting and calls.
AMSA is a key part of Australia’s search and rescue system and a critical component is the availability HF radio – a solution for a vessel outside of very-high frequency (VHF) shore station range.
Since 2002, two services have been provided in Australia, a radiotelephone service by the states and the Northern Territory, and a digital selective calling service provided by AMSA.
AMSA chief Mick Kinley said, “AMSA’s delivery of 24-hour nationwide monitoring of HF radiotelephone distress, urgency, and safety communications—in addition to its existing HF DSC service—will continue a critical safety system for mariners in Australian waters.
“Supplementing this service, AMSA will provide maritime safety information via HF radiotelephone, with improved scheduling and frequency availability to the AUSCOAST warning areas.”
The change comes despite a steady decline in the use of HF radiotelephone in Australia, which resulted in a consultation in 2019 to determine whether the service should be discontinued.
Based on public feedback received and acknowledging the implications on industry, AMSA agreed to provide a consistent national approach.
“Although we have seen a decline in the use of HF radiotelephone, we also have a responsibility to provide services to ensure the safety of mariners who rely on it,” Mr Kinley said.
