- V8V2222 -
HF/SSB radio services


Emergency Contact List -

Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centres

BRUNEI BAY RADIO has assembled a list of distress/emergency contact details for use by small-craft in the Pacific Ocean, SE Asia and Indian Ocean. This list contains the email address and phone number of each service, and the monitoring techniques they use to receive emergency calls via the official marine emergency communications service - HF/SSB radio.

The official marine distress/emergency HF/SSB radio frequencies for voice calls (where monitored) and incident management are:

2182   4125   6215   8291  12290  16420 

Yachts and other small-craft without a DSC equipped HF/SSB radio will find that email or a satellite phone call may be the only practical option to initiate contact with some MRCCs,  or their related Coast Radio Station.  Following which, most MRCCs will use the above HF/SSB marine emergency frequencies for further communications and to manage the response. 

Many governments chose to stop their 24/7 voice watch for Mayday, Pan-Pan and Securete calls on the above HF/SSB marine emergency frequencies following  the introduction of the GMDSS service implemented for commercial vessels over 300 tonnes.  Instead, they only maintain a watch for DSC calls from DSC equipped HF/SSB radios. 

Piracy Reporting Centre - Malaysia (KL):

     Email: imbkl@icc-ccs.org  (monitored 24/7 for quick reply)
     Phone: +60 3 2031 0014  (24/7 piracy help line)

Notes:

1. The Piracy Reporting Centre has requested that for any piracy - or possible piracy - incidents, anywhere in the world, email immediately to the Piracy Reporting Centre and they will alert the relevant MRCC in the country responsible for your present sea area.

2. Be aware that a common practice in SE Asian waters by small fishing boats is to approach at speed and turn away suddenly when quite close. The idea is that any bad spirits adversely affecting their fishing success are thereby transferred onto your boat. Rather intimidating the first few times it happens. And easily confused for something more sinister. International cruising yachts make a great target for this practice because they don't understand what is being done so do not give chase to give back the bad luck, and anyway, they don't have the speed to give chase if they wanted!

General information:

1. Sea regions are divided into maritime search and rescue responsibility (SRR) areas on a large scale (eg: NAVAREAS ) and small scale, such as the South China Sea. See a map of NAVAREAS at  http://weather.gmdss.org/metareas.html  

2. Be sure your HF/SSB radio is working well. From the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) website: Depending on the circumstances, your initial distress alert should still be made by radio if possible. You should activate your distress beacon only if contact cannot be made by any other means, or when told to do so by a rescue authority.

3. Remember the level of seriousness of any distress situation to make the appropriate radio call:

    MAYDAY = Immediate threat to life and/or probable abandon ship.
    PAN-PAN =  Serious injury or vessel disablement which needs assistance
    SECURITE =  Information about dangers, hazards etc. 

4. A request (May 2011) from MRCC New Zealand: "If using any other form of communication outside of VHF/SSB Radiotelephone, i.e. Inmarsat, Iridium, e-mail etc, ensure that a return Inmarsat-C number, satellite telephone number, or e-mail address is included in the correspondence so that we have a means and know who to get back to."

5. Response time to BBR's emailed enquiry to update contact information has been found to vary for MRCCs. This may be an indication of the expected response to distress messages. The grading scale is:

• Immediate

• Within 24 hours

• Within 48 hours

• Beyond 48 hours

• Never

6. A DSC watch on HF/SSB uses the following principles to initiate communications and manage an incident, as described by MRCC Cape Town in their brochure:  "This technique uses digital codes to enable a radio station to establish contact and transfer information with another station. Cape Town Radio guards 4207.5, 6312, 8414.5, 12577 & 16420 kHz.

Subsequent radio telephone distress and safety traffic succeeding the original DSC alert is conducted on simplex on 4125, 6215, 8291, 12290 & 16420 kHz."

7. The communication service in different sea areas will vary depending on the equipment and resources at the particular MRCC. Australia's coastline and Maritime search and rescue area includes major sections of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and borders on SE Asia search areas.  Therefore MRCC Australia is included in the lists of all three regions' MRCCs.

The HF/SSB radio equipment used by MRCC Australia is very substantial, with the ability to broadcast well beyond Australia's assigned search and rescue responsibility areas.  "Whilst there may be other Governments establishing HF facilities in the Indian and Pacific Ocean areas, Australia aims to cover the Australian Search and Rescue Region (SRR) to a high level of probability with its own stations." (AMSA website)

The range of these stations can be assessed by listening to the Australian Bureau of Metereology broadcast of METAREA X weather forecasts and warnings, transmitted from the same sites. (see the Aust BOM website at: http://www.bom.gov.au/marine/high-seas.shtml) .

Emails and DSC alerts to MRCC Australia can expect a quick response and may be the fastest means to make contact with an MRCC outside the Australian Search and Rescue Region (SRR). MRCC Australia can contact local MRCCs to alert them to an incident in their responsibility area. 
 

Pacific Ocean:

Australia - Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (Canberra):
                - Email enquiry response time - Immediate
                - Updated: May 2011

      Email: rccaus@amsa.gov.au
      Phone: +61 2 6230 6811
      HF/SSB:  DSC watch on all DSC alert frequencies to initiate contact
                      No voice watch on 2-16 Meg distress frequencies
                      Use 2-16 Meg distress frequencies to manage an incident
      Note: Voice listening watch for emergency calls by State run coast
                stations on 4125,  6215 & 8291 ONLY.
                See this map for station location and details.
      VHF:   No VHF DSC service in Australia
                Voice watch on ch16 in some areas by volunteer groups.
      Website:  http://amsa.gov.au/
 

Fiji  - MRCC Suva
        - Email enquiry response time -
           - Updated: May 2011

        Email: msc@connect.com.fj
        Phone: +679 3315 380
        HF/SSB: 
        VHF:
        INMARSAT C:

New Zealand - MRCC - via Taupo Maritime Radio - ZLM
                       - Email enquiry response time - Immediate
                       - Updated: May 2011 

    Email: maritime@kordia.co.nz (Distress - to Taupo Maritime Radio - ZLM)
                rccnz@maritimenz.govt.nz (Admin - to Maritime NZ)
      Phone: +64 4 9148333
      HF/SSB:  DSC watch on all DSC alert frequencies, 4-16 Meg
                      Voice listening watch on all 2-16Meg distress frequencies
                      Use 2-16 Meg distress frequencies to manage an incident
      VHF: No VHF DSC service in New Zealand.
              Voice listening watch ch16 via network of coastal relay stations.
      INMARSAT C:  451 200 067
      Webite:  www.maritimenz.govt.nz  
       

Papua New Guinea - MRCC - via Port Moresby Radio - 2PM
                              - Email enquiry response time - 24 hours
                              - Updated:  June 2011

      Email: mrcc@nmsa.gov.pg
      Phone: +675 321 3033 OR +675 735 17017  OR +675 764 97911
      HF/SSB:  No DSC alert service (upgrading soon) 
                     Voice listening watch on all 2-16Meg emerg frequencies
                      from 0800 to 2200 local time daily.
                     Use 2-16 Meg emerg frequencies to manage an incident
      VHF: No DSC listening watch
               Voice listening watch on ch16 by MRCC 0700 to 1700  Mon-Fri
    Note: Use the above phone numbers to initiate contact with MRCC
                 PNG 24/7

Solomons - MRCC Honiara
               - Email enquiry response time - 24 hours
               - Updated: June 2011

      Email: mrcc@solomon.com.sb
      Phone: +677 21609
      HF/SSB:  DSC watch on all DSC alert frequencies to initiate contact 
                     Voice listening watch on 6125 distress/emerg freq ONLY
                     Use 2-16 Meg emerg frequencies to manage an incident
      VHF: DSC listening watch
               Voice listening watch on ch16

Tahiti - MRCC Papeete
           - Email enquiry response time - Immediate
           - Updated: May 2011

      Email: mrcc@solomon.com.sb
      Phone: +689 465316 
      HF/SSB:  DSC watch on 2187.5 only
                      Voice listening watch on 2182 & 8291 ONLY
                      Has 2-16 Meg distress frequencies to manage an incident
      VHF: No VHF DSC watch
               Voice listening watch on ch16 in Society Islands only
      INMARSAT C:  422 799 192    

South East Asia:
  Click for Map of: Search & Rescue Regions - SE Asia

Australia - Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (Canberra):
                - Email enquiry response time - Immediate
                - Updated: May 2011

      Email: rccaus@amsa.gov.au
      Phone: +61 2 6230 6811
      HF/SSB:  DSC watch on all DSC alert frequencies to initiate contact
                      No voice watch on 2-16 Meg distress frequencies
                      Use 2-16 Meg distress frequencies to manage an incident
      Note: Voice listening watch for emergency calls by State run coast
                stations on 4125,  6215 & 8291 ONLY.
                See this map for station location and details.
      VHF:   No VHF DSC service in Australia
                Voice watch on ch16 in some areas by volunteer groups.
      Website:  http://amsa.gov.au/
     
Brunei - Rescue Co-ordination Centre (BSB Airport):
           - Email enquiry response time -

      Email: atc@civil-aviation.gov.bn
      Phone: +673 2 332600 
      HF/SSB: 

Guam: US Coast Guard - MRCC
           - Email enquiry response time - Immediate
           - Updated: June 2011

      Email: rccguam@uscg.mil
      Phone: +671 355 4910 
      HF/SSB:   DSC watch on all DSC alert frequencies to initiate contact
                       Voice listening watch on 2182 (24/7), 6125 (0900Z to
                       2100Z) & 12950 (2100Z to 0900Z)
                       Has 2-16 Meg distress frequencies to manage an incident
      VHF:  DSC listening watch
                No voice listening watch on ch16
       INMARSAT C:  447 735 011

Hong Kong - Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre
                  - Email enquiry response time - Immediate
                 - Updated: June 2011

      Email: hkmrcc@mardep.gov.hk
      Phone: +852 2233 7999  
      HF/SSB:   DSC watch on all DSC alert frequencies to initiate contact
                       No voice watch on marine distress frequencies
                       Has 2-16 Meg distress frequencies to manage an incident
      VHF:  DSC listening watch
                No voice listening watch on ch16
       INMARSAT C:  447 735 011
     
Indonesia - Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (Jakarta)
                - email enquiry response time -
                - Updated: June 2011

        Email: no response to repeated emails to: basarnas@basarnas.go.id
                no response to repeated emails to: admin@basarnas.go.id
      Phone: +62 21 34832901 - sometimes not answered.
      HF/SSB:  DSC watch on all DSC alert frequencies to initiate contact
                      No voice watch on 2-16 Meg emerg frequencies
                      Has 2-16 Meg emerg frequencies to manage an incident

     Note:  Email address checked by multiple phone calls to this MRCC.
               Emails not returned with error message, but never any reply.

Malaysia - Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (Putra Jaya)
              - Email enquiry response time -
              - Updated:

        Email: mrccputrajaya@mea.gov.my
      Phone: +60 3 89413140
      HF/SSB:  DSC watch on all DSC alert frequencies to initiate contact
                      No voice watch on 2-16 Meg emerg frequencies
                      Use 2-16 Meg emerg frequencies to manage an incident

Philippines - Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (Coast Guard Manila)
                 - Email enquiry response time -
                  - Updated:

        Email: no response to repeated emails to: cgactioncenter@yahoo.com
      Phone: +63 2 5273880 
      HF/SSB:  DSC watch on all DSC alert frequencies to initiate contact
                      No voice watch on 2-16 Meg emerg frequencies
                      Use 2-16 Meg emerg frequencies to manage an incident

      Note:  Email address checked by multiple phone calls to this MRCC.
                Emails not returned with error message, but never any reply.

Singapore - Singapore Port Operations Control
                 - Email enquiry response time - beyond 48 hours
                 - Updated: June 2011

      Email: pocc@mpa.gov.sg 
      Phone: +65 62265539 or +65 63252493
      HF/SSB:  No HF/SSB service
      VHF: DSC listening watch
               Voice listening watch on ch16
      Website: click here  

Thailand - MRCC via Bangkok Radio
               - Email enquiry response time -
               - Updated:

      Email: bkkrcc@yahoo.com
      Phone: +66 2 2860506 & +66 2 2860594
      HF/SSB:  DSC watch on all DSC alert frequencies to initiate contact
                     Voice listening watch on 2182, 4125, 6215 & 8291 ONLY
                     Use 8291, 8294 & ch814 to manage incidents

Indian Ocean:

Click for Map of: Search & Rescue Regions - north Indian Ocean

Click for map of: Search & Rescue Regions - Australia  

Australia - Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (Canberra):
                - Email enquiry response time - Immediate
                - Updated: May 2011

      Email: rccaus@amsa.gov.au
      Phone: +61 2 6230 6811
      HF/SSB:  DSC watch on all DSC alert frequencies to initiate contact
                      No voice watch on 2-16 Meg distress frequencies
                      Use 2-16 Meg distress frequencies to manage an incident
      Note: Voice listening watch for emergency calls by State run coast
                stations on 4125,  6215 & 8291 ONLY.
                See this map for station location and details.
      VHF:   No VHF DSC service in Australia
                Voice watch on ch16 in some areas by volunteer groups.
      Website:  http://amsa.gov.au/
     
India - Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (Mumbai)
         - Email enquiry response time -
         - Updated:

      Email: indsar@vsnl.net        (MRCC Mumbai)
                isareast@datone.in   (RCC Chennai)
                com_cs@datone.in    (RCC Port Blair)
      Phone: +91 22 24388065  
      HF/SSB: Equipment yet to be installed
                     Prefer email communications
      Website: www.indiancoastguard.nic.id

Mauritius - MRCC - via Mauritius Radio - 3BM
                - Email enquiry response time - Immediate
                - Updated: June 2011

      Email: opsncghq@orange.mu
      Phone: +230 2088317
      HF/SSB:  DSC watch on all DSC alert frequencies to initiate contact
                      Voice listening watch on 6700 kHz - 0700 to 1900 local
                      Voice listening watch on 4250 kHz - 1900 to 0700 local
                      Use 2-16 Meg distress frequencies to manage an incident
      VHF:  DSC listening watch
                Voice listening watch on ch16
      INMARSAT C:  422 800 213
                
Seychelles - MRCC via Seychelles Radio - S7Q
                  - Email enquiry response time - within 24 hours
                  - Updated: June 2011

    Email: mrcc.seycoast@email.sc   OR shipshore@cws.cwpls.com
      Phone: +248 4610293  OR  +248 4224616
      HF/SSB:  No DSC alert service
                      Voice listening watch on 2182 & 7696 ONLY
                      Prefer email communication for incident management
       VHF:  NO DSC listening watch
                Voice listening watch on ch16
      INMARSAT C: 466499997

 

South Africa - MRCC Cape Town
                  - Email enquiry response time - Immediate
                 - Updated: June 2011

      Email: mrcc.ct@samsa.org.za
      Phone: + 27 21 9383300 
      HF/SSB:   DSC watch on all DSC alert frequencies to initiate contact
                       Voice listening watch on 2182 via coastal network of 11 sites
                       Voice listening watch on 4, 12 & 16 Meg distress freq
                       Uses 2-16 Meg distress frequencies to manage an incident
      VHF:  NO DSC listening watch
                Voice listening watch on ch16 via a coastal network of 27 sites
      

PLEASE NOTE:  This information is as accurate as possible at the time of each survey. A prudent mariner will check these details by email or phone call to the MRCCs with communication services in their sailing area, prior to setting out; to reconfirm the contact details. Phone numbers, email addresses, MRCC locations and Coast Radio operations do change.

If you notice any changes - or have additional information - please email radio@bruneibay.net so we can update this information for others.   

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