Hawkes Bay Coastguard

Radio Frequencies And Hours Of Your Nearest Coastguard Areas

Click on the links below to learn what to do in case of an emergency:

Calling Procedures
Radio Distress Calling
Marine Radio VHF Call Sign

HAWKE'S BAY COASTGUARD RADIO WATCH - Channel 82

Channel 82 is the dedicated Coastguard channel for trip reports, assistance calls and search and rescue operations.

Feel free to call up and leave a trip report between the hours of 0630 and 1830 hours seven days a week. Weather forecasts and current conditions are broadcast at 0805, 1005, 1205, 1405 and 1605 during weekends. Our radio scheds operate at 0805, 1205 and 1605.

All vessels are strongly encouraged to lodge a trip report when heading out for a day's fishing or sailing. All you need to do is tell Coastguard your boat name, number of people on board, the area you are heading to and expected time back then up date us of any position changes you make during the day. This will give us invaluable information if you get into strife but also give you peace of mind that someone is aware of where you are and waiting to hear that you are safely back.

Nowcasting - Continuous weather information - VHF Channel 21

You can now access 24 hour a day information about weather conditions in and around Hawke Bay.

VHF Channel 16 - The Universal Distress Frequency

Location	Call Sign	VHF Channel/Frequency	Hours
Napier	ZMH213	CH82	0630-1830 hours 7 days a week
Gisborne	-	CH60, 83	0800-1700 Weekends Sept-May 0915, 1215, 1415, 1615 (365 Days )
East Cape	-	CH61	24 Hours
Opotiki	-	CH68, 71	As Required
Waihau Bay	-	CH63	0915, 1215, 1515, 1815 (365 days)
Whakatane	ZMH83	CH80, 71, 83 (Waihau Bay)	0630-1830
Tauranga	ZMH35	CH83, CH62 SSB 4417Khz	24 Hours 0700-1800
Waihi Beach	-	CH85, 68, 71	0700-2100
Whangamata	ZMH54	CH84, SSB 4417Khz (Request only)	0800-2000
Tairua/Pauanui	-	CH86	ex Whitianga
Whitianga	ZMH48	CH86, 61, 78 Weather 21, 23	0700-2100
Rotorua Lakes	Rescue 1	CH86	As Required
Taupo	ZMQ4343	CH61, 83	0900-2030 (weekends)
Turangi	-	CH61, 83	0915, 1615, 1815 0900-2030 (Pub Hols)

Rules for General Radio Use:

Listen before transmitting
Don’t make unnecessary calls and keep all calls as brief as possible
Don’t allow children to play with the radio
Always identify yourself using your call sign and boat name
Always ensure your microphone is correctly stowed to avoid accidental transmissions which will lock up the channel
Use Channel 16 for making your initial call, then move to an agreed working channel for emergencies
Stay on Channel 16 unless you are directed to another channel by MSA Maritime Radio or Coastguard
Return to Channel 16 when you have completed a call
Make sure you obtain an operator’s qualification and call sign

Nationwide, Maritime Radio keeps a 24-hour listening watch on Channel 16. There are also many volunteer Coastal and Coastguard stations keeping a listening watch on Channel 16 and other channels locally.

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