This is what the radio operators have seen this morning

Volunteer Marine Rescue Western Australia

MARINE SAFETY ALERT FROM AMSA

https://www.amsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/working-boats-december-2018_0.pdf

LED lighting found to interfere with VHF-FM radio and AIS reception
The U.S. Coast Guard has sounded the alarm over the potential for light-emitting diode (LED) lighting on vessels to compromise reception on VHF frequencies used for radiotelephone, Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and Automatic Identification System (AIS).
The distance at which the LED lighting starts to have an impact and whether the issue is limited to certain makes of lighting or navigation equipment, is unknown.
The U.S. Coast Guard has asked the U.S. marine industry to provide more detail of known incidents.
Due to their energy-saving capability and longer service life, LED lights are commonly used for navigation lighting, searchlights and floodlights, as well as interior and exterior lighting— including those used for visual effect.
The U.S. Coast Guard said that in one case, radio-frequency interference caused by LED lighting created a hazard that led to a serious safety incident.
‘The maritime rescue coordination centre in a United States port was unable to contact a ship that was involved in a traffic-separation-scheme incident by VHF radio. That ship also experienced very poor AIS reception.
‘Other ships have also experienced degradation of their VHF receivers (including AIS), caused by their LED navigation lights. LED lighting installed near VHF antennas has also been found to reduce reception.’
Strong radio interference from LED sources may not be immediately apparent to marine radio users, but there is a way to test for LED interference.
How to test for LED interference
1. Turn off your LED light
2. Tune your VHF radio to a quiet channel, such as Channel 73
3. Adjust your VHF radio’s squelch control until the radio outputs audio noise
4. Re-adjust the squelch control until the audio noise is quiet—just slightly above the noise threshold
5. Turn your LED light back on
6. If the radio starts crackling when you turn on the LED lights, it is likely that the LED lights are affecting both your on-board VHF marine radio and AIS reception.
If you have experienced LED-lighting interference on your vessel, please report it to AMSA
Has this happened on your boat? Help us learn more, so we can address the issue.
Tell us:
• make and model of LED lighting
• radios effected
• distance from lighting to antennas and radios
affected;
and
• any other information that may help us to understand
the nature of the problem.
Send an email: reports@amsa.gov.au ... See more

Marine Rescue NSW

Wind Warnings for Friday
Gale Warning for the Byron Coast and Coffs Coast.
Strong Wind Warning for the Macquarie Coast and Hunter Coast.

A strengthening high pressure system to the west of Tasmania will move slowly east over the next couple of days, establishing south to southeasterly winds through most coastal areas. Winds and seas in the north increase today and through the weekend due to the presence of Tropical Cyclone Oma in the region.

Hazardous Surf Warning for the Byron Coast and Coffs Coast.

Safety Advice
Marine Area Command - NSW Police Force advise boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars to changing or delaying their voyage. Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket. Boaters should remember to log on with their local Marine Rescue NSW radio base, via VHF Radio or the free Marine Rescue APP.

www.bom.gov.au/nsw
www.mrnsw.com.au
www.ses.nsw.gov.au ... See more

ABC Central Coast

👀MARINE HAZARD OFF THE CENTRAL COAST🚤🛳

We're being asked to keep a lookout for a large buoy adrift off the Central Coast.

Marine Rescue is reporting the NSW Fisheries buoy is 4m long, weighs 400kg and has a light on top which flashes at night. It could also be dragging three 40m long ropes.

The buoy, which has about $50,000 worth of equipment on board, broke away from its mooring at Laurieton.

Pic: Marine Rescue NSW ... See more

Marine Rescue NSW

Follow an advanced search and rescue boat, from the factory floor in Yamba to its commissioning on the NSW Central Coast.
Marine Rescue Central Coast
Yamba Welding & Engineering Pty Ltd
Suzuki Marine Australia
Raymarine
Troy Grant
Adam Crouch MP – Member for Terrigal ... See more

Marine Rescue Port Stephens

Marine Rescue Port Stephens serves the boating public through its mission of "Volunteers Saving Lives at Sea". In delivering that Mission we work through the Water Police (Marine Area Command or MAC) who are responsible for all search and rescue operations in NSW waters.

Throughout the busy summer months, each weekend Marine Rescue NSW is invited to send a Regional Operations Manager and a representative from one of the Units to work at the MAC in Balmain. This gives a great opportunity for the Marine Rescue personnel to close the loop and see the other end of the Search and Rescue operations which are very often commenced through their Radio Base.

Last weekend it was the turn of Port Stephens to send a representative to the MAC. Our Operations Officer represented our Unit on this occasion. He reported back that the experience was very worthwhile especially seeing how requests for assistance are managed, working with the Police systems and being able to view the resources available.

We would like to thank the Officers at the MAC for their hospitality and for making this opportunity available to us. Without doubt our operations will be just that little bit better because of this experience.

It was also an excellent opportunity for our Unit to get to understand better the role of our Regional Operations Manager and how this all drives us to our Mission - Volunteers Saving Lives at Sea. ... See more

Marine Rescue NSW

Log On with your local Marine Rescue NSW unit when you head out on the water and Log Off when you return. It means someone responsible is watching out for you. Rescued fisherman Martin Field credits Logging On and wearing a lifejacket with saving his life. ... See more

Matt

If anyone has seen these please get in touch with Matt.

Wondering if anyone has spotted 2 large white deck bed cushions in/around Brisbane Water, they went missing from my boat in Hardys Bay. (Blown Off). Around 1.5m x 1.0m, irregular rectangle in shape. Cheers Matt ... See more

Marine Rescue Merimbula

Sonia Teston, Deputy Unit Commander of Marine Rescue Merimbula talks about the roll of Marine Rescue in saving lives on the water here in Merimbula.
Sonia also talks about why she chose to be a volunteer member of Marine Rescue.
Also featuring are Unit Commander, Bill Blakeman, and members Stewart Dietrich, Peter Roberts and Gary Telford.

Video shot and produced by Jared, Bill, Matt and Jess - thanks for your interest in Marine Rescue and the production of this great clip! ... See more

Marine Rescue NSW

More pictures from today’s commissioning of the rescue boats Central Coast 30 and Central Coast 21, strengthening the area’s rescue operations, and ensuring all recreational boaters could enjoy local waterways safely. ... See more