VHF Marine Radio

VHF MARINE RADIO. — The International Telecommunications Union, since the Titanic sank, has allocated a large block of spectrum for maritime purposes, which is provided for in the VHF maritime mobile band.

The VHF maritime mobile band consists of channels operating in the frequency range 156.000 MHz to 162.050 MHz, except for those portions within this range that are allocated to the land mobile service.

The regulatory framework governing channel arrangements and uses in Australia is set out in the instruments identified. The following VHF maritime mobile band channel allocations are to be read in conjunction with these legislative instruments, Australian and international law.

Whilst anyone in Australia can listen to VHF Marine Radio, it is illegal to possess or use VHF Marine radios without the appropriate Maritime Radio Operator’s Certificate, issued by, or under the authority of, the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

With some exceptions, the VHF Marine Radio service is analogue, not digital.

Marine Radio Victoria (MRV) provides 24/7 VHF marine weather broadcasts in Victoria, with scheduled forecasts on Channel 67 at 06:48 and 18:48 EST, and warnings broadcast hourly. Channel 16 is used for initial warnings. Services cover coastal waters up to 20 nautical miles out to sea.

Please read the notes following the table.

Under the Marine Safety Regulations 2023, a marine radio must be a minimum 25-watt VHF marine radio approved by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and compliant with AS/NZS ETSI EN 302 885:2018. This ensures reliable communication and safety on the water due to their longer range.

Radios with less than 25 watts of power, including 27MHz Marine radios, no longer fall within the legal definition of a Marine Radio in Victoria to meet the requirement to carry a Marine Radio when operating more than 2 nautical miles from the coast in coastal waters.

To legally operate a VHF marine radio, you must hold a relevant qualification or be supervised by someone who does. Operating without the proper qualification is a breach of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (Cth). The Australian Waters Qualification (AWQ) is the basic, most accessible certification for recreational boaters operating within 12 nautical miles of the Australian coast.

Marine Radios must be ACMA-approved VHF radios – this provides robust 24/7 monitoring, weather forecasts, safety alerts and radio checks in Victoria through the government-funded Marine Radio Victoria.

It should be noted that ships more than 12 nautical miles from Australian territorial waters should also have an HF Marine Radio available by international and Australian law and SOLAS requirements.

Regulation