📡 Logging On / Off with Volunteer Marine Rescue  

Most of the Volunteer Marine Rescue Groups provide a log-on / log-off service. 

The idea is that you LOG ON with the VMR Group and let them know who you are, where you are going, and when you will be due back. Then you can go off and enjoy your day knowing that someone knows where you are and when you should be home. If you then get into difficulty and are overdue Volunteer Marine Rescue has a good starting point for searching for you. 

When you get back in from your day on the Water DON’T FORGET to LOG OFF with the VMR Group so they know you are back safe and sound – otherwise, you will start a search party happening when you’re already home.

 

Logging On

When Logging on the following information is what you will need to provide the VMR Group with: 

• Your Call sign – this is either the name/registration of your boat or if you are a member of a  VMR group your group-allocated call sign. 
• Where you have departed from….. 
• Where you are heading to….. 
• How many People on Board (POB) 
• How much fuel you have 
• Your estimated time of return (ETR) 
• If you are not local to the area, the radio operator may ask you for further information like a  description of your vessel. 

Example:

An example LOG ON sequence could go something like this: 

Boat Owner: VMR619 VMR619 VMR619 

This is vessel  Harlequin Harlequin Harlequin requesting Log on on VHF Channel 21 Do you receive?

Over 

VMR Response: Harlequin Harlequin Harlequin 

This is VMR619 VMR619 VMR619 Please Proceed with your logon 

Over 

Boat Owner: VMR619 This is vessel Harlequin 

We have departed the town jetty heading out to fish around Goose Island 2 nautical miles  south of the inlet There are 3 people on board We have 60 liters of fuel and our estimated time of return is 1500 hours 

Over 

VMR Response: Harlequin this is VMR619 

Log on confirmed 

we have you heading to fish around Goose Island 2 nautical miles south of the inlet. 3 persons on board 60 liters of fuel and an estimated time of return of 1500 hours 

Is this correct? 

Over 

Boat Owner: VMR619 This is Harlequin 

that is correct 

Over 

VMR Response: Harlequin this is VMR619 

Have a good day on the water and we will talk to you on your return 

This is VMR619 clear and standing by for any further traffic

Logging Off

When you return from your day out on the water it is MOST IMPORTANT that you LOG OFF with the  Volunteer Marine Rescue Group. The log-off process is a very simple matter of calling up the VMR group and letting them know you have returned. 

Example

An example LOG OFF sequence could go something like this:

Boat Owner: VMR619 VMR619 VMR619 

this is vessel  Harlequin Harlequin Harlequin on VHF Channel 21. Do you receive?

Over 

VMR Response: Harlequin Harlequin Harlequin 

this is VMR619 VMR619 VMR619 Please Proceed  

Over 

Boat Owner: VMR619 This is vessel Harlequin 

We have returned to the town jetty and wish to log off 

Over 

VMR Response: Harlequin this is VMR619 

We hope you had a good day on the water and will speak to you next time you are out and about 

This is VMR619 clear and standing by for any further traffic 

Extending your stay 

If the weather is good and you’re having a good time, sometimes you might want to stay a little longer at that favorite fishing spot or diving/snorkeling the rocks or reef around that island. 

No problem, simply call up your VMR group and let them know you’d like to change your estimated time of return to a later time.