How to Log On & Off when going Offshore

Log On and Log Off

  • Facebook

Boaters should Log On and Log Off with their nearest Marine Rescue unit whenever they head out on the water.

This is a simple process that lets us know when you’re leaving, where you’re heading and when you expect to return.

This way, someone responsible knows that you’re out on your boat and that you’ve returned safely at the end of your trip.

If you don’t Log Off, we can take steps to try to find you.

To Log On, call your local Marine Rescue radio base on your marine radio.

If it’s your first time, let us know and we will take you through the process.

It’s even better if you visit a base or ring us beforehand so we can quickly get you sounding like an old hand. When you call, the operator needs to obtain certain information from you.

These are the details we’ll need to help find you in the event of an emergency. You need to have the following information ready:

  • Your vessel name
  • Vessel registration number
  • Communications gear on board: (VHF, 27MHz, MF/HF)
  • Mobile telephone number
  • Vessel type and length
  • Hull and topsides colour
  • Where the vessel is usually kept/launched
  • Shore contact name
  • Shore contact number
  • Time and place of departure
  • Log on location
  • Number of people of board
  • Destination & purpose of trip
  • Expected time of return

When to Log On:

Marine Rescue NSW urges boaters to log on every time they go out on their boats. If you’re simply out for a day, you’ll know you’ve told someone responsible when you’re due to return and we will check and take the appropriate action if you haven’t called in by then. If you change your planned time of return, call the radio base again and advise us of your change in plans.

When to Log Off:

Log Off by using your marine radio to tell us when you return. If we don’t know you’re back safely, we’ll take action to find you.

If you are sailing up or down the coast, you should establish a voyage plan with Marine Rescue and an Offshore Tracking Schedule to check in (a ‘sked’) with other Marine Rescue radio bases along the way. We’ll keep track of your progress until you safely arrive at your destination in NSW or hand over to the marine rescue volunteers in the next State