Improved VHF coverage for boaties on the Kaipara Harbour

From today (22 October), boaties on the Kaipara Harbour will once again be able to communicate freely and easily with Coastguard via VHF Channel 07.

After months of disrupted radio service in the area, Coastguard has worked hard alongside Kordia to achieve a viable solution that ensures boaties in the area and most importantly, those crossing the often treacherous Kaipara bar, can contact Coastguard.

We know this issue has caused a lot of frustration amongst boaties and it’s important to us that we are implementing a strong and sustainable solution. Over the last few weeks Coastguard has completed extensive testing of Channel 07 and Channel 61 in critical communication locations around the Kaipara Harbour and the Tasman Sea side of the bar. All of which have been successful.

Both channel 07 and 61 will remain in use in the Kaipara and Coastguard can be contacted on either channel - depending on regional coverage. Should boaties still experience issues they should call *500 from their mobile phone.

Channel 07 is presently also in use in Tutukaka for local operations. At this stage the channel will remain in use in the area owing to very few viable frequency options being available, however there is a risk some interference may be noticed on either side of the coast. Should you experience any interference within the Kaipara area, please use the alternate Channel 61 to contact Coastguard via VHF or *500 from your mobile.

We will continue to work on a long term solution for Tutukaka to have it’s own channel or other appropriate solution. In the interim, moving Channel 07 to Kaipara to enable effective communications in the area will ensure lives are not lost on one of Aotearoa’s most dangerous bars this summer.

Given we are still refining this solution we would very much welcome your feedback so we can make improvements ahead of summer. Please email us with any feedback you might have, good or bad, on [email protected]