VMR Mackay funded VHF radio communications to coral reef areas to save lives! | Triple M

2021-12-14 13:48:03 By : Mr. Armin Hong

Volunteer Maritime Rescue (VMR) Mackay has installed a VHF radio repeater on Penrith Island, 45 miles east of Mackay. This will increase the range of VHF communications and the range will be approximately 35 miles further east to the Great Barrier Reef. Within a radius. The altitude of Penrith Island allows rowers to go offshore, up to 80 miles in some places, and radio coverage areas include Credlin, Stevens, and Chauvel Reef.

VMR Mackay volunteer Les Todd has been coordinating the project since 2014, after the ship began to surpass the previous radio coverage area. Mr. Todd is an indispensable part of obtaining approval from government agencies, including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) (Penrith Island is a famous nesting site for sea turtles), Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), Queensland Maritime Safety Authority (MSQ) ) And the Queensland Police Service (QPS) Radio and Electronics Department is led by Sergeant Steve Falzon, who designs, builds, and installs the equipment. "The project was funded by VMR Mackay and received government grants and generous donations from local companies. The design provides better communications for police and other agencies during maritime emergencies in our region," said Mr. Todd, who also I would like to thank Mick Botto and Mark Gralow for donating their barge to transport equipment to Penrith Island.

Steve Falzon from QPS said: "The new repeater on Penrith Island is an improved and indispensable part of future radio communications in maritime search and rescue operations. QPS is very pleased to assist VMR Mackay with this installation, as it will undoubtedly improve Maritime communications and help save lives in the future."

The installation process is complicated. The system is built and tested on land, and then disassembled before being transported to Penrith Island by barge. The components were then lifted by helicopter to the installation site, where a team of technicians used the VMR radio room to reassemble and test the system.

VMR spokesperson Darryl Howland said: "This project is an investment by VMR Mackay for the safety of all rowers in our area." "Yes, it is expensive, especially for non-profit organizations like VMR, but with As more and more ships are now crossing Penrith Island, and the windy seasonal cruising yachts are found farther offshore, we know that this expanded capability will save lives. It will not take long before our radio room I’ll get a call from someone on the coral reef that’s broken, or worse, someone who needs help on channel 22."

The Penrith Island coverage area will operate on VHF channel 22 and is now part of a three-channel network. VMR Mackay provides monitoring services from the coast to the north of Prudhoe Island and Brampton Island on Channel 21, and provides monitoring services for the area south of Prudhoe Island outside of Curlew Island on Channel 80. It is now in Peng Channel 22 of Rees Island and 35 miles to the east of the coral reef provides monitoring areas. These channels are in addition to emergency channels 16 and 67. From 8 am to 6 pm, VMR Mackay and VTS Hay Point are also monitored at night.

"VMR Mackay spent more than $100,000 on this project. We thank the grants and local donors for helping to offset some of the costs, but this money will be used for safer boating in the coming decades. We hope to see more boating. To join VMR as a member, especially those rowers who can now take advantage of the extended radio coverage," Mr. Howland added. "The annual membership of US$85 not only provides members with direct benefits, but also allows VMR Mackay to fund such projects. It is our members who directly fund us to provide high-quality ships and equipment for emergency and breakdown assistance, and provide VHF radio Network, our radio operators listen from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 365 days a year. The local boatman who joins for $85 a year is investing to improve the safety of all ships in our area."

VMR Mackay is 100% run by volunteers who spend countless hours providing training and emergency and breakdown services to the boating communities in our area. They encourage all boat owners to become members, knowing that $85 per year can provide and maintain the equipment needed to save lives at sea, and help VMR invest in future boating safety projects.